Hash Instruction Control for Faster SHA-3 and SHAKE Digest Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cryptographic hash functions are inefficient in processing speed and resource utilization, particularly in cryptographic hash functions such as SHA-3 and SHAKE, which are used for data protection.

Innovation Solution

A single instruction (e.g., a compute last message digest instruction) is provided to facilitate hash processing, which includes a control indicator to generate a message digest for authentication, and includes a control indicator to generate a message digest for a message, using a hardware accelerator to perform hash processing, allowing interruption and resuming from where it was interrupted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cryptographic hash functions (SHA-3, SHAKE) are used for data protection, then security is improved, but processing speed and resource utilization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cryptographic hash processing into distinct instruction types (compute message digest, compute intermediate message digest) with specific control indicators. This segmentation allows the hardware accelerator to optimize different processing scenarios separately, improving overall processing speed while maintaining security requirements for SHA-3 and SHAKE functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes processing parameters by introducing control indicators that specify different operational modes (final digest computation vs. intermediate digest computation). This parameter change enables the hardware accelerator to adjust its processing behavior dynamically, resolving the contradiction between maintaining security protocols and improving processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If traditional hash processing methods are used, then resource utilization is poor, but implementation simplicity is maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidinstruction structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal instruction structure with control indicators that can handle multiple hash processing scenarios (different digest types, intermediate computations) through a single hardware accelerator design. This multi-functionality improves resource utilization while the control indicator mechanism keeps the instruction structure manageable and not overly complex

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260005835A1Instruction to accelerate hash processing

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

An instruction is executed to generate a message digest for a message. The message digest is to be used in authentication of the message. Executing the instruction includes obtaining from the instruction a control indicator and determining, based on the control indicator, an initial chaining value to be used to generate the message digest. The message digest is generated using the initial chaining value and the message digest is provided to be used in the authentication of the message.