2.II.12J

Coding and Cryptography
Part II, 2005

What does it means to say that f:F2dF2df: \mathbb{F}_{2}^{d} \rightarrow \mathbb{F}_{2}^{d} is a linear feedback shift register? Let (xn)n0\left(x_{n}\right)_{n \geqslant 0} be a stream produced by such a register. Show that there exist N,MN, M with N+M2d1N+M \leqslant 2^{d}-1 such that xr+N=xrx_{r+N}=x_{r} for all rMr \geqslant M.

Explain and justify the Berlekamp-Massey method for 'breaking' a cipher stream arising from a linear feedback register of unknown length.

Let xn,yn,znx_{n}, y_{n}, z_{n} be three streams produced by linear feedback registers. Set

kn=xn if yn=znkn=yn if ynzn\begin{aligned} &k_{n}=x_{n} \text { if } y_{n}=z_{n} \\ &k_{n}=y_{n} \text { if } y_{n} \neq z_{n} \end{aligned}

Show that knk_{n} is also a stream produced by a linear feedback register. Sketch proofs of any theorems that you use.