Ring Oscillator Selection for High-Randomness Number Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing random number generating apparatuses integrated into ASICs often fail to achieve desired randomness due to fixed circuit configurations, making it difficult to obtain high randomness without re-designing or re-manufacturing the chip, which is costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A random number generating apparatus that dynamically changes the combination of clock frequencies and jitter values by using multiple ring oscillators with different delay elements, a signal output unit, a selecting unit, a logic circuit, and a random signal output unit to select and generate high-randomness signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed circuit configuration is used in the random number generating apparatus, then the chip can be manufactured with a simple process, but the randomness of the generated numbers cannot be optimized after manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic selection of ring oscillator outputs by the selecting unit, allowing the system to adaptively choose different clock signals with varying jitter characteristics at runtime. This dynamic configuration enables optimization of randomness quality after manufacturing without requiring complex re-manufacturing processes, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and randomness quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of clock frequency selection by providing multiple ring oscillators with different delay elements and frequencies. The selecting unit dynamically chooses among these different frequency parameters to optimize randomness characteristics without altering the physical circuit structure, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving randomness quality.
2Reliability
If multiple ring oscillators with different configurations are provided, then the randomness can be optimized by selecting different clock combinations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the clock generation function into multiple independent ring oscillators, each with different delay elements and frequencies. The selecting unit then chooses among these segmented components based on randomness requirements. This segmentation allows optimization of randomness quality while keeping each individual oscillator relatively simple, managing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The selecting unit serves as a universal component that can select from multiple ring oscillator outputs to achieve different randomness characteristics. This multi-functional selecting unit manages the complexity of having multiple oscillators by providing a single point of control for optimizing randomness without requiring separate control circuits for each oscillator.
3Reliability
If the chip is re-designed or re-manufactured to improve randomness, then the randomness quality can be enhanced, but the cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by incorporating multiple ring oscillators with different delay elements and frequencies into the chip design before manufacturing. This preliminary configuration of diverse clock sources enables post-manufacturing optimization of randomness through software-controlled selection, avoiding the need for time-consuming re-manufacturing processes while enhancing randomness quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates functional copies of the random number generation capability through multiple ring oscillators with different characteristics. Instead of re-manufacturing the chip to improve randomness, the system uses these pre-built functional copies and selects the appropriate one at runtime, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with improving randomness quality.
4Device complexity
If a single ring oscillator is used, then the device complexity is minimized, but the ability to adapt to different operational environments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by providing a selecting unit that can choose among multiple ring oscillator outputs based on operational environment requirements. This dynamic selection capability allows the system to adapt to different environments (temperature, voltage, frequency requirements) while keeping the overall circuit structure relatively simple through shared components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables environmental adaptability through parameter changes by providing ring oscillators with different frequency and jitter characteristics. The selecting unit adjusts the operating parameters by choosing different oscillators based on environmental conditions, achieving versatility without significantly increasing circuit structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A random, number generating apparatus includes a first ring oscillator and a second ring oscillator, each having a quantity of delay elements different from, the other, a signal output unit, a selecting unit, a logic circuit, and a random signal output unit. The signal output unit receives a first signal output from the first ring oscillator and a second signal output from, the second ring oscillator and outputs the first signal or the second signal. The selecting unit selects a signal to be output from the signal output unit. The logic circuit receives the signal selected by the selecting unit and the output from the signal output unit and outputs an output signal. The random signal output unit receives the output signal output from the logic circuit and a clock signal and outputs a random signal.