Comparative Analysis of Hardware-Based CRC Implementations Using LFSR Designs

Abstract

Ensuring end-to-end data integrity is critical in Verilogbased communication cores. This project compares hardware implementations of CRC-8, CRC-16, and CRC- 32 that share a common bit-serial LFSR template, with differences confined to the generator polynomial degree and tap locations across designs. The study focuses on how the generator degree influences logic cost, timing, and error-detection coverage under identical test conditions. Each variant is evaluated through functional simulation and FPGA synthesis, and metrics include flip-flop and LUT utilization, estimated critical-path delay, and the undetected-error rate. The results show the expected tradeoff: wider polynomials require more state and longer XOR chains but provide stronger protection against random and burst errors. Among the three designs, CRC-16 offers a practical balance between resource usage and detection capability for embedded links, while CRC-32 delivers nearcomplete coverage that is more suitable for high-integrity channels. The shared serial architecture also provides a consistent baseline for future work on parallel or folded CRC cores.