Oscillator-Based Random Number Generation With Bitstream Whitening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing random number generators, particularly pseudorandom number generators, produce predictable numbers and lack sufficient entropy, making them vulnerable to decryption, while true random number generators face inefficiencies and energy consumption issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a plurality of oscillators, a hardware conditioner, and whitening masks to generate and bias condition bitstreams, ensuring increased randomness and entropy, with energy-saving features like oscillator deactivation during pauses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pseudorandom number generators are used, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to predictability and insufficient entropy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple oscillators (typically 2-8 oscillators) to generate bitstreams that are then processed together through a hardware conditioner. By merging the outputs of multiple independent oscillators and applying whitening masks, the system achieves both high speed generation and high quality randomness, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
2Reliability
If true random number generators using multiple oscillators are used, then reliability is improved, but use of energy worsens due to continuous operation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware conditioner is designed to pause oscillator operation when random numbers are not needed and resume when requested. This periodic activation maintains high randomness quality when operating while dramatically reducing energy consumption during pause periods, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy use.
3Ease of manufacture
If oscillators are placed close together to reduce device complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to electromagnetic interference
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware conditioner acts as an intermediary that processes the bitstreams from oscillators regardless of their physical spacing. By introducing this intermediate processing stage with whitening masks, the system can tolerate closer oscillator placement without suffering from electromagnetic interference, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and harmful factors.
4Device complexity
If bit distributions are not evenly distributed, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to bias in generated numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware conditioner applies whitening masks that dynamically adjust and transform the bit distribution parameters of the oscillator outputs. This parameter transformation ensures even distribution of bits in the final random numbers while maintaining reasonable device complexity, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of first bitstreams can be received. Each of the plurality of first bitstreams can be received from a respective one of a plurality of oscillators. A plurality of samples can be generated by sampling each of the plurality of first bitstreams. A second bitstream can be generated by serially combining the plurality of samples. At least one random number can be generated based, at least in part, on the second bitstream. The at least one random number can be output to a processor.