Abstract:
Random numbers are crucial in various fields, like generating cipher keys in
cryptography, ensuring fairness and randomness in online gaming platforms,
modelling random events and procsses accurately in simulations, and producing
random samples for scientific experiments. In recent years, true random
number generators (TRNGs) have become increasingly popular due to their
ability to produce unpredictable and unbiased random numbers. This project
aims to design and implement a TRNG using a combination of a random bit
generator version 3 (RBG3) and a deterministic random bit generator (DRBG)
based on the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256 algorithm, in
accordance with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
guidelines. RBG3 is a type of TRNG that utilizes the principle of entropy, which
refers to the unpredictability of a random event. Entropy is generated by
measuring physical phenomena, such as ring oscillator and zener diode
breakdown, subsequently converting the analog values into random bits using a
microcontroller. DRBGs, on the other hand, generate random numbers based
on a deterministic algorithm and a secret seed value. The evaluation of the
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TRNG's performance using various health tests will provide insights into its
strengths and limitations which will allow further improvements to be made
before being deployed.
