FPGA implementation of SRAM PUFs based cryptographically secure pseudo-random number generator

Abstract

The security of cryptographic protocols depends on the security of key sequences consisting of random numbers. In this paper, we design a Cryptographically Secure Pseudo-Random Number Generator (CSPRNG), which consists of a hash based Deterministic Random Bit Generator (DRBG) and a Get Entropy module. SRAM Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) are regarded as entropy sources, providing entropy data with enough entropy for CSPRNG. The construction of Get Entropy module is proposed to verify the availability of SRAM PUFs and compress the entropy data into truly random seeds that are fed into DRBG. This CSPRNG can reseed itself dynamically and can monitor the entropy of entropy sources in real time. The system is implemented and tested on Altera DE2. The test results show that, the pseudo-random numbers generated by this system can pass all random tests of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP800-22 Test Suite and the throughput is up to 598.1 Mbps. Through the security discussion, this CSPRNG is theoretically confirmed that it can be securely applied to cryptographic protocols.