Puf generators based on sram bit cells

Abstract

Disclosed is a physical unclonable function generator circuit and method. In one embodiment, a physical unclonable function (PUF) generator includes: a PUF cell array that comprises a plurality of bit cells, wherein each of the plurality of bit cells comprises at least two pre-charge transistors, at least one enable transistor, and at least two storage nodes, wherein the at least two storage nodes are pre-charged with substantially the same voltages by the respective at least two pre-charge transistors allowing each of the plurality of bit cells having a first metastable logical state; and an authentication circuit, coupled to the PUF cell array, wherein the authentication circuit is configured to access and determine second logical states of bit cells in at least one row of the PUF cell array by turning on the at least one enable transistor and turning off the at least two pre-charge transistors of each of the bit cell in the at least one row of the PUF cell array, and based on the determined second logical states of the bit cell in the at least one row of the PUF cell array, to generate a PUF signature.