Random number generation method

Abstract

A random number generator is implemented within a digital processor by: a) searching an internal timestamp register which counts clock pulses for sequencing the processor; b) extracting at a given time n bits from the least significant bits of the register, n>1; c) using the n bits extracted at step b) as constituent bit(s) of a N-bit random number (34) to be generated; d) reiterating steps a) to c) until obtaining the N bits of the random number; and e) providing the random number to an application circuit or software.

1 . A random number generation method implemented by means of a digital processor, the method comprising:
 a) searching an internal timestamp register which counts clock pulses for sequencing the processor;   b) extracting at a given time n bits from the least significant bits of the register, n>1;   c) using the n bits extracted at step b) as constituent bit(s) of a random number of N bits to be generated;   d) reiterating steps a) to c) until obtaining the N bits of the random number; and   e) providing the random number to an application circuit or software.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the timestamp register is a register counting pulses directly outputted from an oscillator of the clock. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein steps a) to d) are carried out within a firmware of the processor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the n bits extracted at step b) are the least significant bit(s) of the timestamp register. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein n=1 and the bit extracted at step b) is the least significant bit of the timestamp register. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the given time of extraction of the n bits at step b) is a time controlled by a random or pseudo-random generator. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the given time of extraction of the n bits at step b) is a time determined in response to a request received from the application circuit or software.