A bit-level color image encryption algorithm based on PWLCM chaotic maps

Many new ideas have been proposed regarding color image encryption schemes based on PWLCM over the past few years; however, research in this area remains limited. This study proposes a completely new scheme that can achieve good performance with only one encryption. First, each channel of the color image is divided into 8 bit planes using bit plane decomposition techniques (BBD) and divided into two groups of high four bits and low four bits. Then, the two groups are converted into binary sequences A1 and A2. This are processed by chaotic mapping, cyclic shift and exclusive OR (XOR) operation to generate B1 and B2, and then the elements of B1 and B2 are exchanged through chaotic mapping to obtain C1 and C2. Finally, C1 and C2 are converted back to bit planes and combined into an encrypted image. Simulation results demonstrate that the scheme can effectively encrypt color images.