Abstract
In this paper, we propose a true random number generator (TRNG) exploiting jitter and the chaotic behavior in cross ring oscillators (CROs). We make a further study of the feedback ring architecture and cross-connect the XOR gates and inverters to form an oscillator. The CRO utilizes totally digital logic circuits, and gains a high and robust entropy rate, as the jitter in the CRO can accumulate locally between adjacent stages. Two specific working modes of CRO in which the CRO can work in a consistent state and a free-running state respectively are introduced and analyzed both theoretically and experimentally. Finally, different stage lengths of cross ring true random number generators (CRTRNGs) are tested in different Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and test results are analyzed and compared. Especially, random data achieved from a design of 63-stage CRTRNG in Altera Cyclone IV passes both the NIST and Diehard test suites at a rate as high as 240 Mbit/s.