Combination of values from a pseudo-random source
First Claim
1. A device comprising:
- an input for accepting a challenge value;
a pseudo-random source, comprising circuitry for generating one or more device-specific quantities, each quantity depending on device-specific characteristics that vary among like devices formed according to a common design, each of the device-specific quantities representing a degree of comparison of devices-specific characteristics, wherein the circuitry for generating the device-specific quantities includes an output for passing each device-specific quantity as a digital value having a multiple bit representation;
circuitry configured to combine the generated device-specific quantities according to a challenge input;
a recombination module coupled to the input for accepting the challenge and coupled to the pseudo-random source, the recombination module being configurable according to the challenge value to combine values received from the pseudo-random source according to a combination function dependent on the challenge value to form a combined pseudo-random value; and
an output for providing the combined pseudo-random value.
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Abstract
Values generated by at least one pseudo-random source (PRS) are recombined to form one or more recombined values. The method involves using analog, digital, or hybrid manipulation techniques to transform characteristics of PRS, including but not limited to statistical characteristics, and input/output characteristics. In some examples, the recombination method provides a way to de-bias output bits from PRS without appreciable increase in self noise. In some examples, the recombined result passes NIST'"'"'s Statistical Tests for Randomness even if underlying PRS natively does not. In some examples, the recombination method provides a way to make a PRS challengeable, even if the underlying PRS is not natively challengeable. In some examples, recombination is used to allow single PRS to have multiple outputs, and in some cases multi-dimensional (orthogonal) outputs. In some examples, a multi-modal system is created via recombination using multiple PRS. In some examples, post recombined result exhibit super error characteristics (prior to application of any error correction codes) compared to native PRS output. In some examples, the recombined values are applied to security applications, for instance authentication and/or cryptographic functions, which may provide improved characteristics (e.g., cryptographic strength) in view of a de-biased output which in some examples also passes NIST'"'"'s Statistical Tests.
80 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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an input for accepting a challenge value; a pseudo-random source, comprising circuitry for generating one or more device-specific quantities, each quantity depending on device-specific characteristics that vary among like devices formed according to a common design, each of the device-specific quantities representing a degree of comparison of devices-specific characteristics, wherein the circuitry for generating the device-specific quantities includes an output for passing each device-specific quantity as a digital value having a multiple bit representation; circuitry configured to combine the generated device-specific quantities according to a challenge input; a recombination module coupled to the input for accepting the challenge and coupled to the pseudo-random source, the recombination module being configurable according to the challenge value to combine values received from the pseudo-random source according to a combination function dependent on the challenge value to form a combined pseudo-random value; and an output for providing the combined pseudo-random value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification