Programmable generation of fused-ring multi-wing attractors from a novel 5D memristive hyperchaotic system and its application in image encryption

Abstract The design of complex multi-wing hyperchaotic systems is of significant interest for enhancing security in applications such as image encryption and secure communications. However, existing methods for generating such systems often face challenges, including high design complexity and a loss of physical interpretability. To address these limitations, this paper introduces a flexible hybrid framework that combines the ab initio design of a novel seed system with a programmable external control strategy. The framework begins with the design and analysis of a novel 5-dimensional (5D) memristive autonomous system. This system, which exhibits hyperchaos originating from three unstable equilibrium points, serves as the seed attractor. A discrete switched rotation methodology is then applied to this seed system to programmatically generate a family of 4-, 8-, and 16-wing fused-ring hyperchaotic topologies. The practical utility of these complex dynamics is then validated through a plaintext-dependent, two-round image encryption algorithm. Comprehensive security analyses, performed on standard test images of varying dimensions, confirm the algorithm’s robustness. The scheme passes standard cryptanalysis checks (e.g., histogram, correlation, and χ 2 tests) and achieves near-ideal average metrics: information entropy of 7.9988, mean NPCR of 99.61%, and mean UACI of 33.47%. Overall, the results demonstrate that this hybrid approach offers a practical pathway for creating novel, high-complexity signals for security-oriented engineering applications.