Physically Unclonable Functions: Properties

Abstract

In the first part of this chapter, the author discusses all the security-related qualities attributed to PUF constructions over time and investigates to what extent these are inherent PUF-related properties, or merely advantages of one particular type of PUF. An unambiguous definition for each of the discussed properties is presented, and a comparative study on a representative subset of PUF proposals identifies the truly PUF-defining characteristics. The second part of this chapter presents the details of a very formal framework for describing PUFs and related physical primitives in a cryptographic manner. This allows cryptographers to use PUFs more easily as building blocks in theoretical constructions, while simultaneously enabling hardware designers and engineers to build constructions which actually comply with this framework.