The NTMAC for Authentication of Noisy Messages

Abstract

This paper introduces a new construct, called the Noise Tolerant Message Authentication Code (NTMAC), for noisy message authentication. The NTMAC can tolerate a small number of errors, such as might be caused by a noisy communications channel. The NTMAC uses a conventional Message Authentication Code (MAC) in its constructions and it inherits the conventional MAC's resistance to forgeries. Furthermore, the NTMAC gives an indication of the number and locations of the errors.