IR Hardware

Random Number Generator

Hardware Random Number Generator

Hardware Random Number Generators(HRNGs) are used in cryptography to generate cryptographic keys as well as in other security applications.

Hardware

The hardware is a simple circuit using a IR photodetector with an Ardunio microcontroller.

The IR photodetector was chosen to taken advantage of random infrared signals present in the environment.

This process was interesting, utilizing the ECE Instructional lab I got the Ardunio and some advice on how to proceed.

Then I went to the Hive MakerSpace for components.

To start out I first used a photoresistor to generate the numbers but there was very was very little variation in the values given.

So I switched to using a photodetector as they are more sensitive to small changes in values of light.

/// Define the analog pin where the photresistor is connected

const int sensorPin = A5;

void setup() {

// Set the serial communication baud rate

Serial.begin(9600);

}

void loop() {

// Read the value from the photresistor

double sensorValue = analogRead(sensorPin);

//Need code for running average for variations.

// need code for finding lowest and highest values

// Convert the average value to a bit

//int bitValue = averageValue > 0.5 ? 1 : 0;

// Print the bit value

//Serial.print(bitValue);

// Serial.print(averageValue);

Serial.print(sensorValue);

// delay

delay(2000);

}

Code

The code defines which pin I use first. Then starts reading from it.

What needs to be implemented is something that converts the analog signal into a zero or one.

From there we can have a bit stream which can be utilized further.

This task was a little daunting as I was unfamiliar with C++ coding. But using online resources and guides I was able to create something to control the sensor and record the data.

I recently noticed I could directly connect the controller to Matlab so I will be looking into that to process the data with some programs I have already written.

Data Analysis

Using Matlab the data was plotted to generate the plots on the left.

From viewing the data I can see that the signal is almost random.

The histogram resembles a Gaussian distribution but further analysis needs to be done.

I believe the HRNG could be improved. Using a UV sensor, microcontroller with better precision, and a dark box with scintillator should give more random events.

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