AES encryption experience

[uri danziger]

Hi,

I would like to ask if someone has experience using the AES. I n eed to be absolutely sure that the user SW can use the AES HW block for own custom usage. If yes, Are there any limitations (ie shared resource with the radio etc)?

Thanks, Uri

[endnode]

Hi Uri,

Yes, AES ECB encryption processor on nRF51x22 works as advertised. You can see the API reference here: developer.nordicsemi.com/.../a00756.html. First obvious limitation is that only this one mode is supported (so no decryption for instance). Second is priority management: Soft Device has always priority so in case that some extensive radio action or even worse encryption for standard BLE layers are needed your API call will wait for return. I have no performance data and I guess you will need to evaluate this yourself...

Cheers Jan

[andrey]

Not sure why you're saying that decryption is not supported, it is. A bigger drawback is, though, is that AES block can't be used when SoftDevice is enabled (which makes it useless for just about every use case).