Making a noise about random number generation
Building on its earlier work to develop hardware intrinsic security, Intrinisic-ID has developed iRNG, said to be a true random number generator that can be delivered as hardware IP or embedded software. The approach uses the noise inherently present in an uninitialised sram to generate random bits at very high speed.
The company claims iRNG is the only true random number generator capable of producing instant randomness, pointing to approaches such as ring oscillator based solutions, which have long set up times and which must be hand crafted in hardware.
"Because our approach is based on an on chip noise source, iRNG features a number of advantages at very low cost, said Intrisic-ID's ceo Pim Tuyls. The rtl version allows the generator to be integrated into chip designs with little extra cost and minimal area overhead. The embedded software version can upgrade devices such as mobile phones and smart cards with a truly random number generator.
For more on the Hardware Intrinsic Security initiative, click here.
