Randomness of a combined TRNG based on the ring oscillator sampling method

Combining random numbers produced by many independent generators can significantly improve the statistical properties of the output sequence. This statement is true for deterministic and non-deterministic sources of random numbers. In cryptography, a user often needs sequences with very good statistical properties but originating from a non-deterministic system. In this paper, we present the results of statistical tests and a new method for distinguishing pseudo and true randomness for sequences produced by a combined true random number generator (TRNG). The generator uses ring oscillators with outputs sampled by a signal of another clock. The combined TRNG was realized in a field programmable gate array (FPGA) produced by Xilinx.