Abstract
In this paper, we show how to construct an optimal normal basis over finite field of high degree and compare two methods for fast operations in some finite field $GF(2^n)$. The first method is to use an optimal normal basis of $GF(2^n)$ over $GF(2)$. In case of n = st where s and t are relatively primes, the second method which regards the finite field $GF(2^n)$ as an extension field of $GF(2^s)$ and $GF(2^t)$ is to use an optimal normal basis of $GF(2^t)$ over $GF(2)$. In section 4, we tabulate implementation result of two methods.