A Novel Pseudo-Random Number Generator for IoT based on a Coupled Map Lattice System using the Generalised Symmetric Map

Pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs) are one of the building blocks of cryptographic methods and therefore, new and improved PRNGs are continuously developed. In this study, a novel method to generate pseudo-random sequences using coupled map lattices is presented. Chaotic maps only show their chaotic behaviour for a specified range of control parameters, what can restrict their application in cryptography. In this work, generalised symmetric maps with adaptive control parameter are presented. This novel idea allows the user to choose any symmetric chaotic map, while ensuring that the output is a stream of independent and random sequences. Furthermore, to increase the complexity of the generated sequences, a lattice-based structure where every local map is linked to its neighbouring node via coupling factor has been used. The dynamic behaviour and randomness of the proposed system has been studied using Kolmogorov–Sinai entropy, bifurcation diagrams and the NIST statistical suite for randomness. Experimental results show that the proposed PRNG provides a large key space, generates pseudo-random sequences and is computationally suitable for IoT devices.