True Random Number Generation Capability of a Ring Oscillator PUF for Reconfigurable Devices

Abstract

This paper presents the validation of a novel approach for a true-random number generator (TRNG) based on a ring oscillator–physical unclonable function (RO-PUF) for FPGA devices. The proposal takes advantage of the different noise sources that affect the electronic implementation of the RO-PUF to extract the entropy required to guarantee its function as a TRNG, without anything more than minimal changes to the original design. The new RO-PUF/TRNG architecture has been incorporated within a hybrid HW/SW embedded system designed for devices from the Xilinx Zynq-7000 family. The degree of randomness of the generated bit streams was assessed using the NIST 800-22 statistical test suite, while the validation of the RO-PUF proposal as an entropy source was carried out by fulfilling the NIST 800-90b recommendation. The features of the hybrid system were exploited to carry out the evaluation and validation processes proposed by the NIST publications, online and on the same platform. To establish the optimal configuration to generate bit streams with the appropriate entropy level, a statistical study of the degree of randomness was performed for multiple TRNG approaches derived from the different implementation modes and configuration options available on the original RO-PUF design. The results show that the RO-PUF/TRNG design is suitable for secure cryptographic applications, doubling its functionality without compromising the resource–efficiency trade-off already achieved in the design.

Advancing Hardware Security: A Review and Novel Design of Configurable Arbiter PUF with DCM-Induced Metastability for Enhanced Resource Efficiency and Unpredictability

“…In recent studies of entropy sources for Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) [49] and True Random Number Generators (TRNGs) [46], diverse techniques like jitter [47,48] and metastability have been explored. Notably, metastability has gained prevalence due to its reliability and effectiveness, prompting its frequent utilization in contemporary research endeavours [50,51].…”

A High-Quality Random Number Generator Using Multistage Ring Oscillators and Fast Fourier Transform-Based Noise Extraction

“…Among the various proposals, those utilizing ring oscillators (ROs) as entropy sources combined with XOR gates for generating the final random bitstream appear to exhibit superior statistical properties, albeit with elevated area requirements [13][14][15]. Presently, in the research and advancement of true random number generators (TRNGs), entropy sources can be broadly categorized into three main groups: noise [16], chaos [17], and jitter. Notably, TRNGs based on jitter are often easier to integrate and are recognized for their portable implementations, as mentioned in the literature.…”

Multi‐Dimensional Physically Unclonable Functions: Optoelectronic Variation‐Induced Multi‐Key Generation from Small Molecule PN Heterostructures

“…PUF is a fundamental security device that covers the inherent physical randomness within a physical device to generate unique and unpredictable output, making it challenging to replicate. [18,19] This system relies on the device's distinct physical properties, including manufacturing variations [20,21] and random processes during production, [22,23] to create a unique output. Specifically, PUF harnesses the inherent variability in the manufacturing process to generate a unique identifier.…”