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KiviPQC-KEM

Post-Quantum Key Encapsulation IP Core

Minimal logic utilization

PQC IP cores designed and optimized for area-constrained devices.

Cost-efficient licensing model

Low license fees based on one-time fee and free evaluation licenses make IP cores accessible even for projects with limited budgets.

Fast availability and direct support

Evaluation packages and documentation are available via download, with rapid responsive web support to keep your project moving.

Easy integration

AXI4-Lite interface, platform-agnostic C source code HAL, API and software driver and clear documentation enable fast integration into hardware–software co-design flows.

European technology

Developed in Germany, with predictable availability giving design teams transparency, control, and long-term planning security.

Experienced IP core providers

KiviCore’s employees bring more than 20 years of experience in IP core design and licensing of IP cores.

KiviPQC-KEM Overview 

The KiviPQC-KEM is an synthesizeable IP core implementing the ML-KEM (Module-Lattice-based Key Encapsulation Mechanism) a post-quantum cryptographic standard defined by NIST FIPS 203. 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. 

Supporting all ML-KEM parameter sets, the KiviPQC-KEM enables:

  • Two parties to securely establish a shared secret key over an untrusted public channel 

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

  • Platform agnostic design for any FPGA and ASIC
  • 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

  • AMBA® AXI4 lite Interface
  • Platform agnostic C source code HAL, API and software driver
  • Software examples included
  • Software user guide
  • Integration examples
  • Comprehensive documentation

Applications

  •  Quantum-resistant networks
  •  Public Key infrastructures
  •  Network security: MACsec, IPsec
  •  Transport protocols: TLS, SSL
  •  Secure communications
  •  Electronic transactions
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Technical documentation & evaluation package

Register for the Evaluation Portal to access evaluation packages, technical documentation and integration resources.

 Register for the KiviCore Evaluation Portal to access the evaluation package, technical documentation and integration resources. 
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Licensing

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. One-time fee 
  • System Verilog RTL Source Code or Netlist format
  • Testbenches
  • Integration examples
  • Simulation and synthesis scripts
  • Software HAL & driver source code
  • Software example source code
  • Documentation
Evaluation License Usability and 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
  • Netlist format, time-bombed
  • Testbenches
  • Integration examples
  • Software HAL & driver source code
  • Software example source code
  • Documentation
Support and Maintenance

  • Maintenance and updates of IP core included

  • Rapid bug fix cycles
  • Documentation and integration examples included
  • Web based support with response times of 8 hours (Mo to Fri)

 

FPGA Implementation Results

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