A 2.92μW Hardware Random Number Generator

This paper presents two novel hardware random number generators (RNGs) based on latch metastability. We designed the first, the DC-nulling RNG, for extremely low power operation. The second, the FIR-based RNG, uses a predictive whitening filter to remove non-random components from the generated bit sequence. In both designs, the use of floating-gate memory cells allows us to predict and compensate for DC offsets and other non-random influences while minimizing power consumption. We also present a simple post-processing technique for improving randomness. We fabricated both RNGs in a standard 2P4M 0.35 μm CMOS process. The DC-nulling RNG utilized .031 mm² of die area, while the FIR-based RNG occupied 1.49 mm².