STORING AN ENTROPY SIGNAL FROM A SELF-TIMED LOGIC BIT STREAM GENERATOR IN AN ENTROPY STORAGE RING

摘要

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.

主权项

1. 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.