Discrete-Time Chaotic-Map Truly Random Number Generators: Design, Implementation, and Variability Analysis of the Zigzag Map

In this paper, we introduce a novel discrete chaotic map named zigzag map that demonstrates excellent chaotic behaviors and can be utilized in Truly Random Number Generators (TRNGs). We comprehensively investigate the map and explore its critical chaotic characteristics and parameters. We further present two circuit implementations for the zigzag map based on the switched current technique as well as the current-mode affine interpolation of the breakpoints. In practice, implementation variations can deteriorate the quality of the output sequence as a result of variation of the chaotic map parameters. In order to quantify the impact of variations on the map performance, we model the variations using a combination of theoretical analysis and Monte-Carlo simulations on the circuits. We demonstrate that even in the presence of the map variations, a TRNG based on the zigzag map passes all of the NIST 800-22 statistical randomness tests using simple post processing of the output data.Comment: To appear in Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing (ALOG

Recommendations and illustrations for the evaluation of photonic random number generators

The never-ending quest to improve the security of digital information combined with recent improvements in hardware technology has caused the field of random number generation to undergo a fundamental shift from relying solely on pseudo-random algorithms to employing optical entropy sources. Despite these significant advances on the hardware side, commonly used statistical measures and evaluation practices remain ill-suited to understand or quantify the optical entropy that underlies physical random number generation. We review the state of the art in the evaluation of optical random number generation and recommend a new paradigm: quantifying entropy generation and understanding the physical limits of the optical sources of randomness. In order to do this, we advocate for the separation of the physical entropy source from deterministic post-processing in the evaluation of random number generators and for the explicit consideration of the impact of the measurement and digitization process on the rate of entropy production. We present the Cohen-Procaccia estimate of the entropy rate $h(\epsilon,\tau)$ as one way to do this. In order to provide an illustration of our recommendations, we apply the Cohen-Procaccia estimate as well as the entropy estimates from the new NIST draft standards for physical random number generators to evaluate and compare three common optical entropy sources: single photon time-of-arrival detection, chaotic lasers, and amplified spontaneous emission

Theoretical Design and FPGA-Based Implementation of Higher-Dimensional Digital Chaotic Systems

Traditionally, chaotic systems are built on the domain of infinite precision in mathematics. However, the quantization is inevitable for any digital devices, which causes dynamical degradation. To cope with this problem, many methods were proposed, such as perturbing chaotic states and cascading multiple chaotic systems. This paper aims at developing a novel methodology to design the higher-dimensional digital chaotic systems (HDDCS) in the domain of finite precision. The proposed system is based on the chaos generation strategy controlled by random sequences. It is proven to satisfy the Devaney's definition of chaos. Also, we calculate the Lyapunov exponents for HDDCS. The application of HDDCS in image encryption is demonstrated via FPGA platform. As each operation of HDDCS is executed in the same fixed precision, no quantization loss occurs. Therefore, it provides a perfect solution to the dynamical degradation of digital chaos.Comment: 12 page