Error burst analysis of a statistical self-synchronizing mode of block ciphers

In this paper, we investigate the burst error properties of the block cipher mode of operation referred to as statistical cipher feedback mode SCFB. SCFB was introduced as an efficient method of providing physical layer security by configuring a block cipher to operate as a self-synchronizing stream cipher. The self-synchronization property of a stream cipher allows the system to recover from data losses that might occur in the communication channel. The research presented in this paper investigates the properties of the post-decryption output of the cipher in response to bit errors in the communication channel. In particular, the probability distribution of the length of error bursts is investigated through simulation, and a theoretical analysis is given for an upper bound on the probability of a burst longer than a given length. The results can be used to determine appropriate selections for parameters of the cipher mode and the specifications of the communication system, such as the error correction scheme and packet size. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.