Methods and apparatuses for generating random numbers based on bit cell settling time
US9640247B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2015 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C7/1006
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
One feature pertains to a true random number generator that utilizes the settling time of a bit cell as an entropy source to generate random digital output values. The bit cell may be a static random access memory bit cell. The bit cell's settling time may be converted into a digital output using an analog to digital converter. A plurality of bit cells may serially couple to one another in a ring formation. The bit cell ring can then be enabled such that each bit cell of the plurality of bit cells achieves a settling value that activates the subsequent bit cell in the ring causing it to in turn reach a settling value, and so on. An output node of one of the bit cells in the ring can then be sampled using a flip-flop to generate a continuous stream of random bits.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.