Random number generator using an incrementing function
AssigneeVerayo, Inc.
InventorsMeng-Day (Mandel) Yu, David M'raihi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A random number generator uses a looped circuit that produces pulses dependent on manufacturing variations and noise, and fed into a counting circuit. In certain embodiments, the technology can be merged with a Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) such that a single circuit provides both 1) bits that are unique to each chip that remain fairly similar each time they are queried on the same chip; as well as 2) bits that are random, i.e., different each time the randomness is queried, even on the same device.
Claims19
A system comprising:
- a looped circuit;
- an incrementing device that is in electronic communication with, and configured to be clocked by, the looped circuit, wherein the incrementing device produces a signal that is used to generate a random number;
- a second looped circuit;
- a second incrementing device that is in communication with and clocked by the second looped circuit to act as a second random number generator and produces a second random number;
- and
- a comparing device in communication with the incrementing device and the second incrementing device, wherein the comparing device is configured to compare respective signals from the incrementing device and the second incrementing device to produce a compared signal that is used to drive a chip unique number and a random number.
A system that produces one or more random numbers, the system comprising:
- a plurality of looped circuits;
- a plurality of respective incrementing devices each electronically coupled with, and configured to be clocked by, the corresponding looped circuit;
- and
- a comparing device in communication with the plurality of respective incrementing devices, wherein the comparing device is configured to compare corresponding signals from two or more respective incrementing devices to produce a compared signal that is used to generate a random number.
An apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of looped circuits;
- a plurality of respective incrementing devices each electronically coupled with, and configured to be clocked by, the corresponding looped circuit;
- and
- a module device, electronically coupled with the plurality of respective incrementing devices, and configured to:
- compare corresponding signals from the respective incrementing devices to produce a compared signal;
- partition the compare signal into one or more least significant bits and one or more most significant bits;
- generate a random number using the one or more least significant bits;
- and
- generate a chip-unique signature using the one or more most significant bits.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.