Eclypse Z7 128bit Random Number Generator in Xilinx SDK

[atown622]

The eclypse z7 has a built in  random number generator and I was wondering how I can access this for use in a c++ code.

[artvvb]

I'm assuming you're referring to the "factory programmed 128-bit random number" placed in the OTP region of the Eclypse's SPI Flash, please correct me if I'm wrong. This is not a random number generator, but rather a unique identifier programmed into the flash chip by Spansion, which is intended as a security feature. It allows a host board to compare an expected ID against one read out from the flash to detect if someone has switched out the flash chip. None of Digilent's demos use it.

Thanks,

Arthur

[atown622]

17 hours ago, artvvb said:

I'm assuming you're referring to the "factory programmed 128-bit random number" placed in the OTP region of the Eclypse's SPI Flash, please correct me if I'm wrong. This is not a random number generator, but rather a unique identifier programmed into the flash chip by Spansion, which is intended as a security feature. It allows a host board to compare an expected ID against one read out from the flash to detect if someone has switched out the flash chip. None of Digilent's demos use it.

Thanks,

Arthur

Well that seems like a misleading feature... Rand() function in c probably doesn't work then on the controller I'd assume.  Does this mean Ill have to make a LSFR for that then??  Because I do need to generate a random number so that I can then make it into a gaussian distribution.

[zygot]

2 hours ago, atown622 said:

Does this mean Ill have to make a LSFR for that then??

It means that you get to create your own pseudo-random number generator. Creating an LFSR in logic is fairly trivial. Creating the proper LFSR for a particular application is not so trivial. Blindly relying on a rand() function in hardware or software to be appropriate is risky. There are only a few hardware number generators that claim to be random. The rest are pseudo-random at best and not necessarily appropriate for every application. I (think) that the Xilinx standalone OS has a C/C++ version of rand() if you don't want to create the ideal one in hardware. If you are running Linux on your Eclypse-Z7 then you have more software options.

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Edited June 9, 2022 by zygot

[artvvb]

I've suggested to our web team that we cut this from all applicable feature lists.

Thanks,

Arthur