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US 8,788,551 B2Granted
Random number generation using switching regulators
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorsBruce Douglas Buch, Jon David Trantham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Random numbers are generated using entropic properties associated with circuit hardware. Consistent with one method, a switching voltage regulator circuit is used to generate a random number. Data that is responsive to switching states of the switching voltage regulator circuit is generated. A multi-bit random number is then generated from the generated data.
Claims18
A method of using a switching voltage regulator circuit to generate a random number, the method comprising:
- generating data responsive to a switching state of the switching voltage regulator circuit;
- and
- generating a multi-bit random number from the generated data.
A circuit comprising:
- a voltage regulator configured to provide a regulated voltage at an output, the voltage regulator including
- a feedback path configured and arranged to provide feedback responsive to the output;
- a circuit logic configured and arranged to provide a switch control signal that varies according to the provided feedback;
- and
- a switch configured and arranged to provide power to the output in response to the switch control signal;
- and
- a random number generator configured and arranged to receive the switch control signal as an input and to provide a random number in response to entropic properties of the switch control signal.
4 more elements
A solid-state drive comprising:
- non-volatile electronic storage devices,
- a controller, and
- a voltage regulator configured to provide a regulated voltage at an output, the voltage regulator including
- a feedback path configured and arranged to provide feedback responsive to the output;
- a circuit logic configured and arranged to provide a switch control signal that varies according to the provided feedback;
- and
- a switch configured and arranged to provide power to the output in response to the switch control signal;
- and
- a random number generator configured and arranged to receive the switch control signal as an input and to provide a random number in response to entropic properties of the switch control signal.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.