Secure Image Authentication using AES and DWT Watermarking on Reconfigurable Platform

Abstract

With the exponential increase in the transmission of digital images over unsecured communication channels, image authentication has become a critical requirement in many multimedia applications. This paper proposes a hybrid image authentication approach integrating Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption with Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT)-based invisible watermarking on a reconfigurable hardware platform. AES ensures the confidentiality of image data, while DWT watermarking provides robust and imperceptible image authentication. The proposed system is implemented on an FPGA-based platform to enhance performance, security, and resource efficiency. The methodology begins with preprocessing and AES encryption of the cover image, followed by embedding a watermark using the DWT domain. A secure key is used for both AES encryption and watermark extraction. FPGA implementation is carried out using Verilog HDL and synthesized on a Xilinx platform. Simulation and synthesis results demonstrate low latency, area efficiency, and high fidelity in terms of Peak Signal-To-Noise Ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM). Experimental evaluations on standard test images reveal that the system withstands common image processing attacks such as compression, noise, and filtering, maintaining the watermark's integrity and the security of the encrypted content. The proposed design proves highly suitable for real-time embedded systems in applications such as military surveillance, medical diagnostics, and copyright protection. The reconfigurable nature of the implementation further enhances adaptability and upgradability for evolving security standards