Intrinsic-ID tackles Random Number generation issues and launches iRNG - A true random number GENERATOR - as hard or Soft IP

Eindhoven, The Netherlands, April 7th, 2011, - Intrinsic-ID, a leading provider of embedded silicon IP and software security solutions based on hardware intrinsic security (HIS) technology, today announced iRNG, a true Random Number Generator delivered as hardware IP (RTL) or embedded software.  iRNG utilizes the noise inherently present in uninitialized SRAM to generate random bits at very high speed.  New independent randomness is generated every time the SRAM power is turned on. The random bits are then passed to a deterministic random bit generator within iRNG.  

iRNG is the only true random number generator capable of producing instant randomness  from an on-chip high entropy noise source (SRAM), solving a long-standing open problem in the electronics industry.   Current approaches such as ring-oscillator based solutions have very long set-up times, must be hand-crafted in hardware and have inherently low entropy.

“Because our approach to random number generation is based on an on chip noise source, iRNG features a number of advantages at very low cost.  Additionally, it requires only standard available design and manufacturing flows and no extra process steps,” said Pim Tuyls, CEO of Intrinsic-ID.   iRNG is available as a separate IP block both in hardware RTL and as platform independent embedded software libraries.  The RTL version allows integration into new chip designs with little extra cost and minimal area overhead.  The embedded software version upgrades fielded devices (such as mobile phones and smart cards) with a truly random number generator. All SRAMs are supported, with no impact on the design flow and minimal impact on area, performance or power.

For a complete security solution, iRNG can be combined with Intrinsic-ID’s other products, such as Quiddikey.  This allows encryption or protocols based entirely on Hardware Intrinsic Security (HIS), with no secret information leaving the device unprotected.

About Random Number Generation

Random numbers are hard for an attacker to determine so they make a fundamental contribution to the security of key generation, key agreement protocols, identification and authentication protocols. 

About Hardware Intrinsic Security (HIS)

HIS provides security and implementation benefits over existing approaches by extracting the secret ‘key’ from the hardware instead of storing it.  This approach allows a device to generate a secret key only when needed and power down with no key present.  Because no key is stored, attackers have nothing to find.  Intrinsic-ID’s Quiddikey solution uses HIS and is based on patented physically unclonable function (PUF) technology.  It secures assets against cloning, tampering, theft-of-service and reverse engineering.  

About Intrinsic-ID

Intrinsic-ID is a semiconductor intellectual property and services company providing embedded silicon IP and software security solutions for anti-counterfeiting, content and data protection, unique device identification and cost effective key storage.    Intrinsic-ID offers the only technology-independent key storage without storing the key for semiconductor companies.  Headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, Intrinsic-ID was founded in 2008 as a spin-out of Royal Philips Electronics.  Its hardware intrinsic security (HIS) products are based on patented physically unclonable function (PUF) technology that is being used in various markets. To find out more, please visit www.intrinsic-id.com.