Ring Oscillators with Additional Phase Detectors as a Random Source in a Random Number Generator

In this paper, we propose a method to enhance the performance of a random number generator (RNG) that exploits ring oscillators (ROs). Our approach employs additional phase detectors to extract more entropy; thus, RNG uses fewer resources to produce bit sequences that pass all statistical tests prop...

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Main Authors: Łukasz Matuszewski, Mieczysław Jessa, Jakub Nikonowicz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Entropy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/1/15
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author Łukasz Matuszewski
Mieczysław Jessa
Jakub Nikonowicz
author_facet Łukasz Matuszewski
Mieczysław Jessa
Jakub Nikonowicz
author_sort Łukasz Matuszewski
collection DOAJ
description In this paper, we propose a method to enhance the performance of a random number generator (RNG) that exploits ring oscillators (ROs). Our approach employs additional phase detectors to extract more entropy; thus, RNG uses fewer resources to produce bit sequences that pass all statistical tests proposed by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Generating a specified number of bits is on-demand, eliminating the need for continuous RNG operation. This feature enhances the security of the produced sequences, as eavesdroppers are unable to observe the continuous random bit generation process, such as through monitoring power lines. Furthermore, our research demonstrates that the proposed RNG’s perfect properties remain unaffected by the manufacturer of the field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) used for implementation. This independence ensures the RNG’s reliability and consistency across various FPGA manufacturers. Additionally, we highlight that the tests recommended by the NIST may prove insufficient in assessing the randomness of the output bit streams produced by RO-based RNGs.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1099-4300
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publishDate 2024-12-01
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series Entropy
spelling doaj-art-58d27696cc2d4b8381b0eca3856d94fd2025-01-24T13:31:40ZengMDPI AGEntropy1099-43002024-12-012711510.3390/e27010015Ring Oscillators with Additional Phase Detectors as a Random Source in a Random Number GeneratorŁukasz Matuszewski0Mieczysław Jessa1Jakub Nikonowicz2Faculty of Computing and Telecommunications, Poznań University of Technology, 60-965 Poznań, PolandFaculty of Computing and Telecommunications, Poznań University of Technology, 60-965 Poznań, PolandFaculty of Computing and Telecommunications, Poznań University of Technology, 60-965 Poznań, PolandIn this paper, we propose a method to enhance the performance of a random number generator (RNG) that exploits ring oscillators (ROs). Our approach employs additional phase detectors to extract more entropy; thus, RNG uses fewer resources to produce bit sequences that pass all statistical tests proposed by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Generating a specified number of bits is on-demand, eliminating the need for continuous RNG operation. This feature enhances the security of the produced sequences, as eavesdroppers are unable to observe the continuous random bit generation process, such as through monitoring power lines. Furthermore, our research demonstrates that the proposed RNG’s perfect properties remain unaffected by the manufacturer of the field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) used for implementation. This independence ensures the RNG’s reliability and consistency across various FPGA manufacturers. Additionally, we highlight that the tests recommended by the NIST may prove insufficient in assessing the randomness of the output bit streams produced by RO-based RNGs.https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/1/15random number generatorrandomnessring oscillatorsentropyrestartsstatistical tests
spellingShingle Łukasz Matuszewski
Mieczysław Jessa
Jakub Nikonowicz
Ring Oscillators with Additional Phase Detectors as a Random Source in a Random Number Generator
Entropy
random number generator
randomness
ring oscillators
entropy
restarts
statistical tests
title Ring Oscillators with Additional Phase Detectors as a Random Source in a Random Number Generator
title_full Ring Oscillators with Additional Phase Detectors as a Random Source in a Random Number Generator
title_fullStr Ring Oscillators with Additional Phase Detectors as a Random Source in a Random Number Generator
title_full_unstemmed Ring Oscillators with Additional Phase Detectors as a Random Source in a Random Number Generator
title_short Ring Oscillators with Additional Phase Detectors as a Random Source in a Random Number Generator
title_sort ring oscillators with additional phase detectors as a random source in a random number generator
topic random number generator
randomness
ring oscillators
entropy
restarts
statistical tests
url https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/27/1/15
work_keys_str_mv AT łukaszmatuszewski ringoscillatorswithadditionalphasedetectorsasarandomsourceinarandomnumbergenerator
AT mieczysławjessa ringoscillatorswithadditionalphasedetectorsasarandomsourceinarandomnumbergenerator
AT jakubnikonowicz ringoscillatorswithadditionalphasedetectorsasarandomsourceinarandomnumbergenerator