Patent ID: 6714955
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
High-speed random number generator (1) comprising a physical random number generator (5), having a data input and an output, and a pseudo-random generator (6) coupled to the output of the physical random generator (5), said pseudo-random generator having an input adapted to receive a germ delivered by the physical generator and an output from which is delivered a pseudo-random output signal, said physical generator (5) comprising a logic circuit (10) having a set up time and at least a data input (D) and a clock input (CLK), the data input (D) adapted to receive a first â€œhigh frequencyâ€  clock signal H1 and the clock input (CLK) adapted to receive a second â€œlow frequencyâ€  clock signal H2, the â€œhigh frequencyâ€  signal H1 adapted to be sampled by the â€œlow frequencyâ€  signal H2, the two clock signals H1 and H2 being of different frequencies, respectively, and issuing from two different first (OSC1) and second (OSC2) oscillators operating asynchronously from one another and not adhering to the setup time of the logic circuit (10), the logic circuit (10) arranged to deliver at an output thereof a signal in an intermediate state qualified as metastable between â€œ0â€  and â€œ1â€  and being constituted by a random number sequence, the metastability of the signal obtained as an output from the logic circuit (10) being accentuated by phase noise of the first oscillator (OSC1) generating the â€œhigh frequencyâ€  signal H1, the pseudo-random generator (6) being arranged to re-inject part of the pseudo-random output signal into the physical generator (5) and an internal memory (9) for storing random numbers obtained as output signals from the pseudo-random generator (6) and an external oscillator having a â€œhigh frequencyâ€  clock signal output (H), the physical random number generator (5) and the pseudo-random number generator (6) running on the same second â€œhigh frequencyâ€  clock signal H generated by the external oscillator (7).