A chaos based integrated jitter booster circuit for true random number generators

In this work, we present a chaos based integrated jitter booster circuit for use in multiple oscillator sampling true random number generator architecture. Multiple ring oscillator based true random number generators need significant number of rings for accumulating the intrinsic jitter of inverters to a useful level. Thus, they occupy large silicon area and consume considerable amount of power. The proposed circuit offers an alternative approach for boosting jitter using the chaotic dynamics generated by non-linear coupling of two ring oscillators that require fewer number of components. The simplicity of the proposed circuit offers high integration potential with inherent low area and power consumption advantages. Chaotic dynamics of the circuit was studied using both numerical and circuit simulations. Measurement results of the test chip implemented at 250nm CMOS technology node confirmed chaotic behavior and jitter boosting capability. To the very best of our knowledge this is the first integrated circuit implementation of a chaotic circuit based on digital gates.