Oscillator-based random number generator

摘要

The invention provides a random number generator comprising a first signal source (G1) providing at its output a first signal (S1) having a first frequency (f1), a second signal source (G2) providing at its output a second signal (S2) having a second frequency (f2), wherein the second frequency (f2) is lower than the first frequency (f1), at least one time delay element (TD), each time delay element (TD) having an input and an output, the output signal being delayed by a time interval (dt) with respect to the input signal, where the output of one time delay element (TD) is connected in series to the input of another time delay element (TD), the input of a first of the time delay elements (TD) is connected to the output of the first signal source (G1), where the output of the first signal source (G1) and the output of each of the at least one time delay elements (TD) are connected to the data input of a corresponding sample and hold element (SH), the clock signal inputs of the sample and hold elements (SH) are each connected to the output of the second signal source (G2), and where the outputs of the sample and hold elements (SH) provide random values.