Communications of the ACM
Lightweight True Random Number Generators a Step Closer
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast's Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology say they have developed the most lightweight true random number generators to date.
According to the researchers, the designs feature a series of circuits that are up to 50 percent smaller than anything currently available. The designs are optimized for digital circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, and application-specific integrated circuits, and use just one logic gate, one look-up table, and four transistors, respectively.
The researchers were unsure if it was possible to devise more efficient designs based on different noise measurement mechanisms. "After investigating several candidates, finally we found a successful one," says researcher Jiang Wu, who worked with Maire O'Neill to use white noise inside the circuit to generate the randomness. The approach effectively simulates a toss of a coin. Wu and O'Neill developed a mechanism to measure the noise and generate the random output.
From Queen's University Belfast
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