Robust, low-cost, auditable random number generation for embedded system security
Published in The 14th ACM Conference on Embedded Networked Sensor Systems (SenSys), November 2016.
Abstract
This paper presents an architecture for a discrete, high entropy hardware random number generator. Because it is constructed out of simple hardware components, its operation is transparent and auditable. Using avalanche noise, a nondeterministic physical phenomenon, the circuit is inherently probabilistic and resists adversarial control. Further, because it compares the outputs from two matched noise sources, it rejects environmental disturbances like RF energy and power supply ripple. The resulting hardware produces more than 0.98 bits of entropy per sample, is inexpensive, has a small footprint, and can be disabled to conserve power when not in use.
BibTeX entry
@inproceedings{rng-sensys16,
author = "Ben Lampert and Riad S. Wahby and Shane Leonard and Philip Levis",
title = "{Robust, low-cost, auditable random number generation for embedded system security}",
booktitle = "{The 14th ACM Conference on Embedded Networked Sensor Systems (SenSys)}",
year = {2016},
month = {November}
}