Thermal noise random pulse generator and random number generator

Abstract

A random number generator has a simple configuration using known inexpensive electronic parts and can generate the tine physical random numbers at a required generator speed. Such a random number generator can provide the true physical random numbers to any sectors of society at dramatically low cost A random pulse generator comprises a thermal noise generating element (2) having a resistor, a conductor or a semiconductor such as a diode adapted to generate thermal noises when no electric current is supplied to them, an analog-amplifier circuit for amplifying the irregular potential generated from the thermal noise generating element and a waveform shaping circuit (6) adapted to take out the output of the amplifier circuit as random rectangular pulse signals. A thermal noise random number generator comprises, in addition to the above components, an n-bit counter (n being an integer) for measuring the dine interval between a random pulse signal output from the waveform shaping circuit (6) and the immediately succeeding random pulse signal and is adapted to output the count of the n-bit counter as natural random number.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 830,927 filed May 2, 2001 entitled Thermal Noise Random Pulse Generator And Random Number Generator which application is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] This invention relates to a physical random number generator adapted to generate the true random numbers by taking out thermal noises generated from a thermal noise generating element such as a resistor or a diode when no electric current is supplied to the thermal noise generating element and amplifying it by means of an amplifier. A physical random number generator according to the invention can suitably be used for personal identification, coding and other purposes in computer telecommunications and mail-order business because it can perfectly eliminate frauds. A physical random number generator according to the invention is also suitable for generatin...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

While a physical random number generator that utilizes the decay products of a radioactive source provides the advantage that it can easily generate the true random numbers, it is accompanied by a number of disadvantages including that it involves a complex manufacturing process and high manufacturing cost because of the use of a radioactive source and that a device with radioactive source has difficulty to be socially accepted because of the regulation of radioactivity and environmental assessment in the use of radioactive substances.

It is impossible to enclose a known random number generators designed to supply an electric current to a resistor in order to utilize it as thermal noise source in a portable card or an integrated circuit (IC) because it requires the use of specifically designed devices including a piece of hardware for generating random numbers and a processing circuit for removing the 1 / f noise that are generated as a result of supplying an electric current to the noise source.

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