PUF-BASED KEY GENERATION FOR CRYPTOGRAPHIC SCHEMES

Systems and methods for secure communication between devices where one device has a physical unclonable function ("PUF") array of PUF devices and another device stores data representing characteristics of the PUF array include encryption schemes using repeated application of one-way cryptographic functions to message segments. The devices transmit or receive a processing instruction used to determined PUF devices whose measured characteristics are used to derive encryption keys. Messages are segmented and message information is securely transmitted by repeatedly application of a suitable one-way cryptographic function to each message segment where the number of applications of the function is determined by each message segment. Because both devices may independently generate the same encryption keys (including "public" keys which otherwise would need to be exchanged or published) by either measuring the PUF devices or retrieving data representing characteristics of the PUF devices, communications overhead is reduced and security is improved.