An offset-compensated oscillator-based random bit source for security applications

Abstract

In this paper, a new, patent pending, architecture for a jitter-based random bit source which is cost-effective and suitable for applications in cryptography, is presented. The source is designed to be robust against parameter variations and attacks aimed to force its output. It also features an auto-test which allows to detect faults and to estimate the source entropy. The proposed design is an enhancement of the oscillator-based architecture where a compensation loop is added to maximize the statistical quality of the output sequence, especially in presence of low-jittered oscillators. As a consequence, a fully-digital implementation, without any amplified noise source, can be adopted for the proposed generator. From an analysis of the known techniques for random number generation, the proposed architecture is derived and implementation details are also reported. © International Association for Cryptologic Research 2004.