Efficient delay-based puf implementation using optimal racing strategy

A system for generating entropy in a physical unclonable function (PUF) encoding, the system comprising:

• a plurality of PUF cells;
• and
• at least one processor configured to:
• assign, in a first round, first pairings of respective ones of a plurality of PUF cells;
• generate, in the first round, respective first outputs from each of the plurality of PUF cells and determine results for the first round including a winner for each pair of PUF cells in the first pairings;
• assign, in a second round subsequent to the first round, second pairings of respective ones of the plurality of PUF cells based on the results of the first round;
• generate, in the second round, respective second outputs from each of the plurality of PUF cells and determine results for the second round including a winner for each pair of PUF cells in the second pairings;
• and
• generate a PUF output based on the results of the first round and the results of the second round.

At least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause at least one processor to perform a method comprising:

• assigning, in a first round, first pairings of respective ones of a plurality of PUF cells;
• generating, in the first round, respective first outputs from each of the plurality of PUF cells and determining results for the first round including a winner for each pair of PUF cells in the first pairings;
• assigning, in a second round subsequent to the first round, second pairings of respective ones of the plurality of PUF cells based on the results of the first round;
• generating, in the second round, respective second outputs from each of the plurality of PUF cells and determining results for the second round including a winner for each pair of PUF cells in the second pairings;
• and
• generating a PUF output based on the results of the first round and the results of the second round.