Key distribution system based on identification information

A key distribution system (KDS) based on identification information (ID-based KDS) is presented. The system is founded on the Diffie-Hellman public key distribution scheme and has an identity authentication function. It uses an individual user´s identification information instead of the public file used in the Diffie-Hellman scheme. It does not require any services of a center to distribute work keys or users to keep directories of key-encrypting keys. Therefore, key management in cryptosystems can be simplified by adopting the ID-based KDS. Two kinds of identity-based key distribution system are proposed and applied to actual communication networks. One uses two-way (interactive) communication to distribute work keys, while the other uses one-way communication. Modular exponentiations of large numbers, used in the systems, are implemented with digital signal processors.<>