Storing an entropy signal from a self-timed logic bit stream generator in an entropy storage ring
AssigneeNetronome Systems, Inc.
InventorGavin J. Stark
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A Self-Timed Logic Entropy Bit Stream Generator (STLEBSG) outputs a bit stream having non-deterministic entropy. The bit stream is supplied onto an input of a signal storage ring so that entropy of the bit stream is then stored in the ring as the bit stream circulates in the ring. Depending on the configuration of the ring, the bit stream as it circulates undergoes permutations, but the signal storage ring nonetheless stores the entropy of the injected bit stream. In one example, the STLEBSG is disabled and the bit stream is no longer supplied to the ring, but the ring continues to circulate and stores entropy of the original bit stream. With the STLEBSG disabled, a signal output from the ring is used to generate one or more random numbers.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- (a) receiving a command onto a random number generator thereby causing a self-timed logic bit stream generator within the random number generator to output a bit stream;
- (b) supplying the bit stream onto an input of a signal storage ring so that entropy of the bit stream is captured in the signal storage ring;
- (c) causing the self-timed logic bit stream generator to stop outputting the bit stream while the signal storage ring is circulating;
- (d) using a signal output by the signal storage ring to generate a random number after the self-timed logic bit stream generator has been stopped in (c) but while the signal storage ring is circulating;
- and
- (e) outputting the random number from the random number generator.
A method comprising:
- (a) using a self-timed logic bit stream generator to generate a bit stream, wherein the self-timed logic bit stream generator comprises a self-timed logic state machine, and wherein a state transitioning of the self-timed logic state machine causes the bit stream to be generated;
- (b) supplying the bit stream onto an input of an entropy signal storage ring;
- and
- (c) supplying a signal from the entropy storage ring to a pseudo-random number generator.
A random number generator comprising:
- a self-timed logic bit stream generator comprising a self-timed logic state machine, wherein a state transitioning of the self-timed logic state machine causes the self-timed logic bit stream to generate and output a first bit stream;
- an entropy signal storage ring coupled to receive the first bit stream from the self-timed logic bit stream generator;
- and
- a pseudo-random number generator coupled to receive a second bit stream from the entropy signal storage ring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.