Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F7/00—Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled
  • G06F7/58—Random or pseudo-random number generators
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F7/00—Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled
  • G06F7/58—Random or pseudo-random number generators
  • G06F7/588—Random number generators, i.e. based on natural stochastic processes

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for generating a real random number
• the invention is based on the object of specifying a method and a device with which a real random number can be generated quickly, that is to say, for example in the millisecond range, in a memory-saving manner, regardless of the device runtime, without storage between the operating cycles of the control device and without external sources (random triggers).
• the method according to the invention builds on the generic state of the art in that the real random number is generated on the basis of a stochastically distributed duration of an electrical recharging process.
• This solution creates a real random number, that is, not a pseudo-random number.
• the method cannot be manipulated by external wiring. In many cases, no additional components are required compared to the existing assembly of the respective system, so that the additional costs are low.
• Another advantage of the method is that it is not necessary to store a state which then manipulated or: could be reset.
• the method according to the invention is particularly advantageous if the reloading process forming the stochastic source can be carried out in a component which is in any case part of the system which, in addition to fulfilling other tasks, must also generate the random number.
• the reloading process comprises reloading at least one memory cell.
• Storage cells-n are part of modern systems anyway and therefore represent a particularly cost-effective basis for carrying out cLes reloading.
• At least one memory cell is a memory cell of an EEPROM.
• the memory cell is subject to comparatively large stoctastic scattering, on the basis of which real random numbers can be generated.
• Memory cell is a memory cell of a FLASH memory --- rs.
• FLASH memories are being used increasingly and therefore in many cases represent a suitable basis for the generation according to the invention in real additional numbers without additional costs.
• the reloading process is carried out with the aid of a charge pump.
• charge pumps is common, for example, in connection with EEPROMs, with on-chip charge pumps being provided in many cases.
• the stochastic duration of the reloading process is recorded with the aid of a counter. It is advantageous if the clocking of the counter is as high as possible, so that with regard to the Gt-round position for the random number serving meter reading at the end of the reloading process, the largest possible scatter.
• the method according to the invention is considered to be particularly advantageous if it is provided that it is carried out by an embedded system, in particular by an engine control system of a motor vehicle.
• an embedded system in particular by an engine control system of a motor vehicle.
• all embedded systems come into question which are used in environments in which (also) the generation of good random numbers is necessary.
• the device according to the invention builds on the generic state of the art in that it generates the real random number on the basis of a stochastically distributed duration of an electrical charging process. This results in the advantages and properties explained in connection with the method according to the invention in the same or similar manner, which is why reference is made to the corresponding statements above in order to avoid repetitions.
• the device according to the invention is advantageously further developed in that it has at least one memory cell which is electrically charged to generate the random number. It can advantageously be provided that at least one memory cell is a memory cell of an EEPROM.
• At least one memory cell is a memory cell of a FLASH memory.
• the device according to the invention is advantageously further developed in that it has a charge pump for carrying out the reloading process.
• Embodiments of the device according to the invention in which it is provided that it is an embedded system, in particular an engine control of a motor vehicle, are considered to be particularly advantageous.
• An essential basic idea of the present invention is that true random numbers can be generated practically without additional costs by systems if a component that is already part of the system is used as the stochastic source, for example a charge pump, which is part of a control unit.
• the invention is particularly suitable for all departments that have to generate a good, real random number with existing systems (that is to say without specially provided components) without having access to independent, tamper-proof generators (triggers). This includes, but is not limited to, in particular all cost-optimized embedded systems.
• random numbers are required, for example, in particular for access protection (also during maintenance work) and for encryption purposes (for example immobilizer).
• FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram which illustrates an embodiment of the method according to the invention
• FIG. 2 shows a graph which illustrates possible recharging processes of a memory cell
• Figure 3 is a highly simplified, schematic block diagram of components of an engine control.
• step S1 a counter is reset whose later counter reading serves as the basis for the generation of the real random number or which directly represents this random number.
• a reloading process is started in step S3 and the counter is started at the same time.
• the reloading process can be, in particular, writing to an EEPROM or FLASH memory cell, which is usually carried out using a charge pump.
• step S4 it is checked whether the reloading process has been completed until this is the case.
• the counter is then stopped in step S5.
• step S6 the counter reading is read out and as a real random number used. If necessary, however, the final random number can also be generated with the aid of further computing functions.
• the illustrated method ends in step S7.
• FIG. 2 illustrates three stochastically distributed recharging processes of a memory cell.
• the actual duration of a current reloading process can lie between a shortest duration T '(curve Q') and a longest duration T , f (curve Q '") and can be, for example, T (curve Q).
• FIG. 3 shows a highly simplified, schematic block diagram of components of an engine control, the engine control 18 shown being in the form of an embedded system.
• the motor controller 18 can include a large number of further components, not shown, which are required to fulfill all the tasks placed on the motor controller. All hereinafter explained in more detail components, that is not specifically superiors already part of the motor controller 18 to generate the true random numbers, see v.
• the motor controller 18 shown has an intelligent controller 20, which is suitable, among other things, for controlling a charge pump 14, which is provided for reloading a memory cell 10 of a memory cell array 22 of an EEPROM 12 when the content of the memory cell 10 is to be changed.
• the controller 20 continues to communicate with a counter 16, with which the actual duration of a reloading process of the memory cell 10 is recorded.
• a counter 16 with which the actual duration of a reloading process of the memory cell 10 is recorded.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Mathematical Analysis (AREA)
• Pure & Applied Mathematics (AREA)
• Mathematical Optimization (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computational Mathematics (AREA)
• Combined Controls Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
• Secondary Cells (AREA)
• Control Of Vehicle Engines Or Engines For Specific Uses (AREA)
• Read Only Memory (AREA)

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• 2004
  • 2004-03-08 DE DE102004011170A patent/DE102004011170B4/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2005
  • 2005-02-02 KR KR1020067017701A patent/KR20060132921A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2005-02-02 EP EP05707924A patent/EP1723511A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-02-02 CN CNB2005800074108A patent/CN100485604C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-02-02 WO PCT/EP2005/050453 patent/WO2005085992A1/de not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2005-02-02 JP JP2007502321A patent/JP2007537502A/ja not_active Ceased
  • 2005-02-02 US US10/592,018 patent/US7496617B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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