Generation of Physical Random Number Using the Lowest Bit of an A-D Converter

One of the methods of generating physical random numbers is the use of electrical signals. Previously, when random numbers have been generated from electrical signals, a threshold value has been imposed on the signal level and “0” and “1” have been assigned depending on whether this threshold value was exceeded. In the present paper, the lowest bit of an A-D converter is used so as to demonstrate that high-speed generation of random numbers, which is not achievable by the conventional method, is now possible. Further, it is demonstrated that random numbers can be generated by fluctuations of an oscillator instead by a special noise generator. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 89(6): 13–21, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley. com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20215