Open AccessScheme for Generating True Random Numbers using Electro-mechanical Switches
Author(s) -
Oday A.L.A Ridha,
Ghassan Nihad Jawad
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
maǧallaẗ al-handasaẗ/journal of engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2520-3339
pISSN - 1726-4073
DOI - 10.31026/j.eng.2022.03.06
Subject(s) - randomness , random number generation , computer science , field programmable gate array , relay , pseudorandom number generator , process (computing) , binary number , algorithm , generator (circuit theory) , computer hardware , mathematics , arithmetic , physics , statistics , power (physics) , quantum mechanics , operating system
This paper proposes a novel method for generating True Random Numbers (TRNs) using electromechanical switches. The proposed generator is implemented using an FPGA board. The system utilizes the phenomenon of electromechanical switch bounce to produce a randomly fluctuated signal that is used to trigger a counter to generate a binary random number. Compared to other true random number generation methods, the proposed approach features a high degree of randomness using a simple circuit that can be easily built using off-the-shelf components. The proposed system is implemented using a commercial relay circuit connected to an FPGA board that is used to process and record the generated random sequences. Applying statistical testing on the experimentally generated sequences revealed a high degree of randomness, which proves its viability to modern applications, such as cryptography and communication system simulation and modeling.