KiviPQC-KEM - Post-Quantum Key Encapsulation IP Core
Saves costs: Post-Quantum IP Core with low licensing costs and free evaluation licences.
Saves resources: Designed and optimized for area-constrained devices.
KiviPQC-KEM Overview
The KiviPQC-KEM is an IP core implementing the ML-KEM (Module-Lattice-based Key Encapsulation Mechanism) a post-quantum cryptographic standard defined by NIST FIPS 203. Engineered to withstand both classical and quantum computer attacks, ML-KEM enables two parties to securely establish a shared secret key.
Supporting all ML-KEM parameter sets, the KiviPQC-KEM enables:
- Two parties to securely establish a shared secret key over an untrusted public channel
The IP core provides dedicated hardware acceleration for the most computationally demanding operations, ensuring high throughput and low latency while keeping the logic footprint compact.
Designed as a standalone, self-contained module, the KiviPQC-KEM can be integrated seamlessly into any SoC design. It features a standard AMBA® AXI4-Lite interface for straightforward hardware integration and platform-independent C code, HAL, and API drivers for simple software integration into host processor.
Product Variants
| Variants | Description |
| KiviPQC-KEM-Tiny |
Optimized for minimal logic resource usage, thanks to a sequential architecture. Ideal when FPGA resources or power budgets are tight. |
| KiviPQC-KEM-Fast |
Optimized for fast processing. For designs that desire higher performance while maintaining efficient resource utilization. |
Key Features
- NIST FIPS 203 compliant
- Supports ML-KEM 512/768/1024 parameter sets
- Supports ML-KEM.KeyGen, ML-KEM.Encaps/Decaps functions
- Self-contained engine with a minimal attack surface
- Hardware offloading and acceleration for ML-KEM operations
- Protection against timing-based side channel attacks
Easy integration
- Platform agnostic design for any FPGA
- AMBA® AXI4-Lite Interface
- Platform agnostic C-Source Code
- HAL, API and Software drivers included
- Software examples included
- Software User Guide included
- Fast support response within 8 hours
Applications
- Quantum-Resistant Networks
- Public Key Infrastructures
- Network Security: MACsec, IPsec
- Transport Protocols: TLS, SSL
- Secure Communications
- Electronic Transactions
Product Information
Licensing & Deliverables

| License type | Purpose | Scope | Fee | Deliverables |
| Product License | Manufacture of products intended for commercial distribution. | Valid for single-instance implementation/synthesis into one device (e.g., one type of SoC, or FPGA) for a specific project or product definition. Multiple instantiations refer to the physical realization of one IP core multiple times in one device. Product licenses for IP Cores include volume caps of 10,000 units for FPGAs. | One-time fee |
|
| Evaluation License | Evaluation for upcoming design | Valid for single-instance implementation/synthesis into one device (SoC, or FPGA) for a specific upcoming design project. | Free, no license fee |
|
Support and Maintenance

- Maintenance & updates of IP cores included
- Rapid update/bug fix cycles
- Integration support: Comprehensive documentation and integration examples
- Web-based support with response times within 8 hours (Mo-Fri)
Altera Implementation Results

| KiviPQC-KEM-Tiny | KiviPQC-KEM-Fast | |||
|
Device
|
ALM |
Frequency (MHz) |
ALM |
Frequency (MHz) |
|
Stratix 10 |
3120 |
153.0 |
11016 | 153.8 |
|
Agilex 7 |
2920 |
223.6 |
11243 | 216.8 |
|
Arria 10 |
2674 |
196.7 |
10489 | 193.1 |
|
Cyclone 10 GX |
2682 |
178.6 |
10131 | 170.4 |
AMD (Xilinx) Implementation Results

| KiviPQC-KEM-Tiny | KiviPQC-KEM-Fast | |||
|
Device
|
LUTs |
Frequency (MHz) |
LUTs |
Frequency (MHz) |
|
Spartan 7 |
3714 | 81.4 | 12156 | 78.5 |
|
Kintex 7 |
3728 | 129.8 | 12157 | 130.2 |
|
Zynq US+ MPSoC |
3652 | 196.7 | 12154 | 178.6 |
|
Versal AI Cores Series |
5730 | 199.2 | 14762 | 205.8 |
Microchip Implementation Results

| KiviPQC-KEM-Tiny | KiviPQC-KEM-Fast | |||
|
Device
|
LUT4 |
Frequency (MHz) |
LUT4 |
Frequency (MHz) |
| PolarFire SoC | 6008 | 63.4 | 19197 | 65.3 |
| PolarFire | 6008 | 63.4 | 19197 | 65.3 |
| Igloo2 | 6095 | 50.0 | 18295 | 50.9 |
| RTG4 | 7602 | 43.0 | 20066 | 42.8 |
| SmartFusion 2 | 6095 | 50.0 | 18295 | 50.9 |
Efinix Implementation Results

| KiviPQC-KEM-Tiny | KiviPQC-KEM-Fast | |||
|
Device
|
XLR |
Frequency (MHz) |
XLR |
Frequency (MHz) |
|
Titanium |
6368 | 147.4 | 16592 | 138.5 |