Patent ID: 8380768

Claim:
A random number generator, comprising: a first one time programmable (OTP) element; a second OTP element, wherein the first OTP element and second OTP element are characterized by having a first distribution of probable values for an electrical characteristic when unprogrammed and a second distribution of probable values for the electrical characteristic when programmed; a programming circuit coupled to the first OTP element and the second OTP element that applies a programming signal to the first OTP element and to the second OTP element causing the first OTP element to switch from being unprogrammed and having its electrical characteristic within the first distribution to being programmed and to have a first value within the second distribution for its electrical characteristic and causing the second OTP element to switch from being unprogrammed and having its electrical characteristic within the first distribution to being programmed and to have a second value within the second distribution for its electrical characteristic; and a sense amplifier, coupled to the first OTP element and second OTP element, that provides an output signal at a first logic state when the first value exceeds the second value and at a second logic state when the second value exceeds the first value, wherein: the first OTP element has a first terminal coupled to a first terminal of the second OTP element to form a voltage divider; and the sense amplifier has an input coupled to the first terminals of the first OTP element and the second OTP element.