Consider the conventional RO-PUF shown in Fig. 12.3. Assume that it contains eight independent ROs with the initial and predicted free-running frequencies given in The RO pairs are formed at the very...

Consider the conventional RO-PUF shown in Fig. 12.3. Assume that it contains eight independent ROs with the initial and predicted free-running frequencies given in The RO pairs are formed at the very begining of the operation (that is, at time (t) = 0) either by choosing randomly or by doing “intelligent” pairing. The given PUF response behavior is “True(ROx ≥ ROy ) ⇒ Response = 0”.

(a) What is the bit error rate (BER) after 5 years of operation if the RO pairs are formed randomly?

(b) One can perform an “intelligent pairing” by forming the RO pairs with the predicted frequency degradation (due to aging) taken into account. What is the minimum BER after 5 years of operation if the RO pairs are initially formed considering the predicted frequency degradation?