Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a random bit stream in true random number generator fashion are described. Two periodic signals are employed in generating the random bit stream. A first periodic signal having preferably an approximately fifty percent duty cycle and jitter induced by supply and substrate noise is sampled by a second periodic signal that is relatively jitter-free and of a lower frequency than the first periodic signal.

Abstract: A DMA interrupt coalescer processes interrupts received from a DMA channel of a DMA controller by transmitting an interrupt request to an interrupt controller if a coalescing condition is satisfied after receiving one or more delayable interrupts, or transmitting the interrupt request regardless of the satisfaction of the coalescing condition if a non-delayable interrupt is received. The coalescing condition is satisfied if a non-zero period of time has transpired since a first of the one or more delayable interrupts was received, or if a number of the one or more delayable interrupts received exceeds a programmed value.