Adaptive Ring Oscillator Entropy Circuit for Stable Randomness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional entropy source circuits lack the ability to dynamically adjust signal parameters, leading to the generation of entropy values with poor quality.
Innovation Solution
An entropy source circuit that includes adjustable ring oscillators, sampling circuits, and control circuits to dynamically adjust signal parameters by changing the frequency of oscillating clock signals based on detected distributions or environmental conditions, ensuring better quality entropy values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional entropy source circuits use fixed signal parameters, then the circuit structure is simple, but the quality of generated entropy values deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of signal parameters by introducing a control circuit that modifies the operating frequency of ring oscillators based on real-time detection of entropy value distribution characteristics. This transforms the fixed-parameter circuit into a dynamic system that adapts its parameters to maintain optimal entropy quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signal parameters (specifically the operating frequency of ring oscillators) dynamically based on detected distribution characteristics. The control circuit adjusts frequency parameters in real-time to ensure entropy values meet quality requirements, directly applying parameter change to resolve the contradiction.
2Reliability
If the entropy source circuit dynamically adjusts signal parameters, then the quality of entropy values improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detection circuit monitors the distribution of generated entropy values and feeds this information back to the control circuit. The control circuit then adjusts the oscillator frequency accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that automatically maintains entropy quality without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The entropy source circuit performs self-adjustment through the integrated detection and control mechanisms. The system monitors its own output quality and automatically corrects parameter deviations, enabling self-service operation that reduces the need for external intervention while maintaining manageable complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the entropy source circuit uses a single fixed frequency, then the circuit operation is simple, but the adaptability to different conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static single-frequency operation into dynamic multi-frequency operation. The ring oscillators can switch between different operating frequencies based on real-time detection of distribution characteristics, enabling the circuit to adapt to varying conditions while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The entropy source circuit achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both detection and dynamic frequency adjustment capabilities. The same circuit structure serves multiple purposes: generating entropy values, detecting their distribution characteristics, and adjusting operating parameters, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An entropy source circuit, comprising: a first adjustable ring oscillator for operating under a first setting or a second setting according to a first control signal, for respectively generating a first oscillation clock signal and a second oscillation clock signal which have different frequencies under the first setting and the second setting; a first sampling circuit, for sampling the first oscillating clock signal according to the sampling frequency to generate first sampling values, or sampling the second oscillating clock signal according to the sampling frequency to generate second sampling values; a first detection circuit detecting a first distribution of the first sampling values; and a control circuit generating the first control signal to switch the first setting to the second setting when the first distribution does not meet a predetermined distribution. The entropy source circuit outputs entropy values according to the first sample value or the second sample value.