Fault model of electromagnetic attacks targeting ring oscillator-based true random number generators

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Bayon ◽  
Lilian Bossuet ◽  
Alain Aubert ◽  
Viktor Fischer
Electronics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 817
Author(s):  
Maulana Randa ◽  
Mohammad Samie ◽  
Ian K. Jennions

True Random Number Generators (TRNGs) use physical phenomenon as their source of randomness. In electronics, one of the most popular structures to build a TRNG is constructed based on the circuits that form propagation delays, such as a ring oscillator, shift register, and routing paths. This type of TRNG has been well-researched within the current technology of electronics. However, in the future, where electronics will use sub-nano millimeter (nm) technology, the components become smaller and work on near-threshold voltage (NTV). This condition has an effect on the timing-critical circuit, as the distribution of the process variation becomes non-gaussian. Therefore, there is an urge to assess the behavior of the current delay-based TRNG system in sub-nm technology. In this paper, a model of TRNG implementation in sub-nm technology was created through the use of a specific Look-Up Table (LUT) in the Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), known as SRL16E. The characterization of the TRNG was presented and it shows a promising result, in that the delay-based TRNG will work properly, with some constraints in sub-nm technology.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Bochard ◽  
Florent Bernard ◽  
Viktor Fischer ◽  
Boyan Valtchanov

The paper deals with true random number generators employing oscillator rings, namely, with the one proposed by Sunar et al. in 2007 and enhanced by Wold and Tan in 2009. Our mathematical analysis shows that both architectures behave identically when composed of the same number of rings and ideal logic components. However, the reduction of the number of rings, as proposed by Wold and Tan, would inevitably cause the loss of entropy. Unfortunately, this entropy insufficiency is masked by the pseudo-randomness caused by XOR-ing clock signals having different frequencies. Our simulation model shows that the generator, using more than 18 ideal jitter-free rings having slightly different frequencies and producing only pseudo-randomness, will let the statistical tests pass. We conclude that a smaller number of rings reduce the security if the entropy reduction is not taken into account in post-processing. Moreover, the designer cannot avoid that some of rings will have the same frequency, which will cause another loss of entropy. In order to confirm this, we show how the attacker can reach a state where over 25% of the rings are locked and thus completely dependent. This effect can have disastrous consequences on the system security.


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