Apparatus and method for generating hardware-based physical unclonable functions and their use

Method for generating a binary numerical sequence, the method comprising:

• applying a write voltage that is a first write voltage or a second write voltage, different from the first write voltage, to each of two or more memristors, and/or applying a read voltage that is a first read voltage or a second read voltage, different from the first read voltage, to each of the two or more memristors, wherein each memristor of the two or more memristors outputs, in dependence on the write voltage applied to the memristor and/or in dependence on the read voltage applied to the memristor, an output voltage with a first random or pseudo-random voltage value from a first voltage value range or with a second random or pseudo-random voltage value from a second voltage value range;
• wherein of one or more comparators is assigned to precisely one of the two or more memristors;
• outputting a binary output value through each of one or more comparators in dependence on a comparison of each comparator of the one or more comparators between the output voltage of the one of the two or more memristors having assigned thereto the comparator and a threshold voltage;
• and
• generating the binary numerical sequence in dependence on the binary output value of each of the one or more comparators,
• wherein each comparator of the one or more comparators is configured to perform the comparison between the output voltage of the one of the two or more memristors being assigned to the comparator and the same threshold voltage,
• wherein each of the one or more comparators is configured to use as the threshold voltage the output voltage of one of the two or more memristors.

A non-transitory digital storage medium having a computer program stored thereon to perform the method for generating a binary numerical sequence, the method comprising:

• applying a write voltage that is a first write voltage or a second write voltage, different from the first write voltage, to each of two or more memristors, and/or applying a read voltage that is a first read voltage or a second read voltage, different from the first read voltage, to each of the two or more memristors, wherein each memristor of the two or more memristors outputs, in dependence on the write voltage applied to the memristor and/or in dependence on the read voltage applied to the memristor, an output voltage with a first random or pseudo-random voltage value from a first voltage value range or with a second random or pseudo-random voltage value from a second voltage value range;
• wherein of one or more comparators is assigned to precisely one of the two or more memristors;
• outputting a binary output value through each of one or more comparators in dependence on a comparison of each comparator of the one or more comparators between the output voltage of the one of the two or more memristors having assigned thereto the comparator and a threshold voltage;
• and
• generating the binary numerical sequence in dependence on the binary output value of each of the one or more comparators,
• wherein each comparator of the one or more comparators is configured to perform the comparison between the output voltage of the one of the two or more memristors being assigned to the comparator and the same threshold voltage,
• wherein each of the one or more comparators is configured to use as the threshold voltage the output voltage of one of the two or more memristors,
• when said computer program is run by a computer.