Random number generator, has freely oscillating oscillator e.g. ring oscillator, provided with single oscillator element that is designed as inverter, and clock generator providing clock signal with pseudorandom varying clock frequency

摘要

The generator has a freely oscillating oscillator e.g. ring oscillator, provided with a single oscillator element. The oscillator element is designed as an inverter (200) or NAND gate. A scanning device (210) is coupled to an output (202) of the oscillator element. A clock generator (200) is coupled to respective inputs (201, 211) of the oscillator element and the scanning device. The clock generator supplies a clock signal (fPSRDN) with a pseudorandom varying clock frequency to the oscillator element and/or to the scanning device. An independent claim is also included for a method for generating a random number.