Abstract: A method for generating random numbers in which oscillating digital output signals of unequal or equal periodicity are generated by at least two ring oscillators, an external parity signal representing a logical state being generated when an odd number of the output signals take on a specified logical state, the external parity signal being fed back to an external parity input of each of the respective ring oscillators. Also, a random number generator having at least two ring oscillators made up of independently freewnning inverter chains with feedback having an odd number of series-connected inverters that generate oscillating digital output signals of unequal or equal periodicity, and having first panty signal generating mechanisms that generate an external parity signal representing a logical state when an odd number of the output signals take on a specified logical state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating random numbers in which oscillating digital output signals (A1, A2, . . . , AL) of unequal or equal periodicity are generated by at least two ring oscillators (32, 33, 34), an external parity signal (PS) representing a logical state (“0,” “1”) being generated when an odd number of the output signals (A1, A2, . . . , AL) take on a specified logical state (“1”). According to the invention, the external parity signal (PS) is fed back to an external parity input (36, 37, 38) of each of the respective ring oscillators (32, 33, 34). The invention further relates to a random number generator having at least two ring oscillators (32, 33, 34), made up in particular of independently free-running inverter chains with feedback having an odd number (K) of series-connected inverters (inv1,2, inv2,1, inv3,1, . . . , invi,j, . . . , invL,KL) that generate oscillating digital output signals (A1, A2, . . .