An efficient grouping method and error probability analysis for RO-PUFs

Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) are primitives that have wide usage areas in information security. Ordering based Ring Oscillator (RO)-PUFs have been introduced recently to overcome the robustness and area efficiency issues related to PUF implementations. With this approach, 100% robust outputs are generated, providing a solution for cryptographic key generation. High entropy extraction with relatively few ROs is also achieved, resulting in high area utilization of the PUF circuit. Frequency threshold determination is the most critical step in ordering based RO-PUFs, and determines a trade-off between area efficiency and robustness. In this work, we overview an efficient grouping method for RO-PUFs and analyze the error vulnerability of PUFs based on the frequency threshold determination. Next, we analyze the length of groups used in such PUP circuits and determine the symbol error probability. In addition to these, we demonstrate the relationship between the symbol error probability and bit error probability. We also investigate the bit error probability based on the wrong determination of the frequency threshold in ordering based RO-PUFs. Finally, a trade-off between area usage and robustness is presented for identification applications. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.