Abstract
Schemes generating cryptographic keys from arrays of pre-formed Resistive Random Access (ReRAM) cells, called memristors, can also be used for the design of fast true random number generators (TRNG’s) of exceptional quality, while consuming low levels of electric power. Natural randomness is formed in the large stochastic cell-to-cell variations in resistance values at low injected currents in the pre-formed range. The proposed TRNG scheme can be designed with three interconnected blocks: (i) a pseudo-random number generator that acts as an extended output function to generate a stream of addresses pointing randomly at the array of ReRAM cells; (ii) a method to read the resistance values of these cells with a low injected current, and to convert the values into a stream of random bits; and, if needed, (iii) a method to further enhance the randomness of this stream such as mathematical, Boolean, and cryptographic algorithms. The natural stochastic properties of the ReRAM cells in the pre-forming range, at low currents, have been analyzed and demonstrated by measuring a statistically significant number of cells. Various implementations of the TRNGs with ReRAM arrays are presented in this paper.
Highlights
Random numbers play an essential function in cyber security infrastructures
The randomness of the physical parameters that are exploited for the design of TRNGs, such as the cell-to-cell microscopic variations created during fabrication, can be used to design physical unclonable functions (PUFs) that generate cryptographic keys from
Even if we do not have any analysis showing that randomness is lower with smaller arrays, we developed additional schemes showing that randomness is lower with smaller arrays, we developed additional schemes that should be useful to maintain the performance of the TRNGs
Summary
Random numbers play an essential function in cyber security infrastructures. They are absolutely critical in encryption, but are required in a variety of security scenarios: Key generation for various algorithms (symmetric, asymmetric, MACs) and protocols (SSL/TLH, SSH, WiFi, LTE, IPsec, etc.):. A high quality, hardware-based random number generator is considered to be fundamental for delivering the true randomness required for a high level of information security. The TRNGs are exploiting the natural sources of randomness that are observed in such pre-forming ranges, while making side channel attacks more difficult by operating well below the electrical noise levels. (Section 3): In preparation of the design of the TRNGs, this section presents experimental results showing the randomness of ReRAM arrays operating in the pre-forming range. (Section 5): We propose the addition of post-processing operations, such as the XORing of portions of the random numbers, to further enhance the randomness of the TRNGs. the experimental analysis demonstrates that when the natural randomness of pre-formed ReRAM-based TRNGs is good enough, such operations are not needed
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