University of Waterloo
200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON
N2L 3G1
Phone: (519) 888-4567
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Stewart J.Robson
A Ring Oscillator Based Truly Random Number Generator
Communication security is a very important part of modern life. A crucial aspect of security is the ability to identify with 100% certainty who is on the other side of a connection. This problem can be overcome through the use of random number generators, which create unique identities for each person in a network. The effectiveness of an identity is directly proportional to how random a generator is. The speed at which a random number can be delivered is a critical factor in the design of a random number generator.
This thesis covers the design and fabrication of three ring oscillator based truly random number generators, the first two of which were fabricated in 0.13µm CMOS technology. The randomness from this type of random number generator originates from phase noise in a ring oscillator.
The second and third ring oscillators were designed to have a low slew rate at the inverter switching threshold. The outputs of these designs showed vast increases in timing jitter compared to the first design. The third design exhibited improved randomness with respect to the second design.
Professors Bosco Leung and Guang Gong
University of Waterloo
200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON
N2L 3G1
Phone: (519) 888-4567
Staff and Faculty Directory
Contact the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office.