# Prince

> block cipher targeting low latency, unrolled hardware implementations

**Wikidata**: [Q28135258](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28135258)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_(cipher))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/prince-q28135258

## Summary
Prince is a block cipher designed for low-latency, unrolled hardware implementations. It uses a substitution–permutation network structure and has a fixed block size of 64 bits.

## Key Facts
- Block size: 64 bits
- Structure: Substitution–permutation network
- Target application: Low-latency, unrolled hardware implementations
- Developed by: Technical University of Denmark, Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique, Ruhr University Bochum, and NXP Semiconductors
- Instance of: Block cipher
- Wikipedia title: Prince (cipher)
- Available in: English, Russian, and Turkish Wikipedia editions

## FAQs
### Q: What is Prince in cryptography?
A: Prince is a block cipher designed for low-latency, unrolled hardware implementations with a fixed block size of 64 bits.

### Q: Who developed Prince?
A: Prince was developed by researchers from Technical University of Denmark, Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique, Ruhr University Bochum, and NXP Semiconductors.

### Q: What type of cipher structure does Prince use?
A: Prince uses a substitution–permutation network structure, which is a common design construction for block ciphers.

## Why It Matters
Prince represents an important contribution to the field of lightweight cryptography, specifically targeting hardware implementations where low latency is critical. Its design focuses on achieving high performance in unrolled hardware implementations, making it particularly suitable for applications where speed and efficiency are paramount. The collaboration between multiple research institutions and industry partners demonstrates the importance of this work in advancing cryptographic hardware design. By optimizing for specific hardware characteristics, Prince addresses a niche but important need in the cryptographic ecosystem, particularly for embedded systems and specialized hardware applications where traditional software-oriented ciphers may not perform optimally.

## Notable For
- Optimized specifically for low-latency hardware implementations
- Uses substitution–permutation network structure
- 64-bit block size, suitable for lightweight applications
- Developed through international academic-industry collaboration
- Designed for unrolled hardware implementations, distinguishing it from software-focused ciphers

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Prince operates as a 64-bit block cipher with a substitution–permutation network structure. The cipher was specifically engineered to minimize latency in hardware implementations, making it particularly suitable for applications where speed is critical.

### Development Background
The cipher was developed through a collaboration between multiple institutions: Technical University of Denmark, Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique, Ruhr University Bochum, and NXP Semiconductors. This international partnership combined academic research with industry expertise to create a cipher optimized for specific hardware characteristics.

### Design Philosophy
Prince's design philosophy centers on unrolled hardware implementations, which differs from many traditional ciphers optimized for software execution. The substitution–permutation network structure provides a balance between security and performance, while the 64-bit block size makes it suitable for lightweight applications where resource constraints are a consideration.

### Applications and Use Cases
The low-latency design makes Prince particularly appropriate for hardware applications where timing is critical, such as embedded systems, specialized cryptographic hardware, and other scenarios where traditional software-oriented ciphers may introduce unacceptable delays.