Theoretical Circuit Design of an Efficient Spintronic Random Number Generator With an Internal Postprocessing Unit

Abstract

In this letter, a spintronic true random number generator (TRNG) is designed using the stochastic switching feature of the magnetic tunnel junction device in the subcritical current regime. The proposed structure consumes low power and occupies a small area. Also, to improve the quality of random numbers production and compensate for the impact of process variations on the quality of the random output, the proposed TRNG includes an internal postprocessing unit. Compared to state-of-the-art designs, using an internal postprocessing unit reduces the proposed generator's area overhead and power consumption. The simulation results show that the TRNG proposed in this letter consumes up to 68% less power and occupies up to 64% smaller area than the state-of-the-art design. Also, due to the existence of the efficient postprocessing unit, the proposed TRNG successfully passes the National Institute of Standards and Technology random number tests even in the presence of the fabrication process variations.