Hardware random number generator

A random number generator circuit (10, 12, 14, 88), comprising:

• a. a low-pressure cold-cathode glow discharge lamp (16), having:
• a first lamp electrode (18), and
• a second lamp electrode (20);
• b. a first line (22) for providing electrical connection between said first lamp electrode (18) and a first electrode of an electrical power supply;
• c. a second line (24) for providing electrical connection between said second lamp electrode (20) and a second electrode of an electrical power supply;
• and
• d. electrically connected to a line selected from the group consisting of said first line (22) and said second line (24), a transimpedance unit (26) configured to:
• receive from said selected line an analog current-noise signal (28) caused as a result of the operation of said glow discharge lamp (16), and
• to generate and output an analog voltage signal (30) that is representative of the variation of said received analog current-noise signal (28).