Checking of the skew constancy of a bit flow

• US 7,827,222 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Inventors: Teglia, Yannick, Liardet, Pierre-Yvan
• Primary Examiner(s): Do; Chat C
• Application Number:
  US11/166,564
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,957 Days
• Field of Search: 708250-256, 708/200
• US Class Current: 708/250
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/58 Random or pseudo-random number generators
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/588 Random number generators, i.e. based on natural stochastic processes
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 3/84 Generating pulses having a predetermined statistical distribution of a parameter, e.g. random pulse generators

Abstract

A method and a circuit for detecting a loss in the equiprobable character of a first output bit flow originating from at least one first element of normalization of an initial bit flow, including analyzing the flow rate of the normalization element.

Claims

1. A circuit for generating a bit flow based on a noise source and on a normalization circuit for normalizing an initial bit flow provided by this noise source to supply a normalized bit flow at an output flow rate, the initial bit flow having an input flow rate, comprising circuitry for calculating the difference between the input and output flow rates of the normalization circuit, for checking constancy of the difference and for generating a valid signal if the constancy of the difference is acceptable.

2. A method for detecting a loss in equiprobable character of an output bit flow originating from a normalization circuit for normalization of an initial bit flow, said method comprising checking constancy of a ratio of a rate of the output bit flow to a rate of the initial bit flow in a checking circuit and providing a signal indicative of the constancy of the ratio of the rate of the output bit flow to the rate of the initial bit flow and thereby indicative of the equiprobable character of the output bit flow.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the loss in the equiprobable character of the output bit flow in case of a non-constant flow rate is considered.

4. A method for generating a bit flow, comprising:

normalizing an input bit flow at an input flow rate in a normalization circuit to provide a normalized bit flow at an output flow rate;

determining a difference between the output flow rate of the normalized bit flow provided at an output of the normalization circuit and the input flow rate of the input bit flow provided to an input of the normalization circuit;

checking constancy of the difference between the output flow rate and the input flow rate; and

generating a valid signal if the constancy of the difference between the output flow rate and the input flow rate is acceptable.

5. A method as defined in claim 4, wherein generating a valid signal comprises generating a valid signal if the difference between the output flow rate and the input flow rate remains within a predetermined range.