Random number generators (RNG) have seen an increasing uptick in technological advancements, concerning the way they work, how they are used, and the way they’re made. So, let’s take a look at some recent technological innovations that are bringing in the next generation of RNGs.
Mass Manufactured Chip
Traditional RNGs are used for a wide range of applications – everything from office-based processes to entertainment. Take something like online casinos, for example. When slot enthusiasts in Ireland can try their hand at the Sweet Bonanza candy slot, RNGs are used to digitally mimic the aspect of luck that you’d get from spinning a physical slot reel. RNGs select the order in which symbols appear, how much reels spin, and even when bonus features are triggered. This ensures that the gameplay is fair and authentic for an immersive casino experience.
That said, quantum RNGs (QRNGs) are often much less common, as they use physical entropy sources to capitalize on the duality and multiplicity of quantum physics. However, Toshiba Europe has advanced QRNGs towards increased accessibility, partially funded through AQuRAND and InnovateUK, creating a QRNG chip that is ready for mass manufacture. The chip uses standard semiconductor processes, and has the ability for serial assembly. As they have no optical inputs, this makes them ideal for embedding in hardware as they are smaller, lighter, and use less energy than other similar QRNG chips. This could spell significant improvements in levels of randomness for a wide range of industries.
Fastest QRNG
The world’s fastest QRNG, the APEX, has been launched by UK-based Quantum Dice. This QRNG has reached speeds of 7.5 Gbit/s for generating and processing random numbers. The device is also equipped with Oxford University’s patented source-device independent self-certification (DISC) protocol which continually evaluates the entropy of each encryption key, giving users a real time overview and reassurance on the randomness of the bits generated.
According to Tech Xplore, before this device, the fastest QRNG could achieve 2 Gbit/s processing speeds, all within a chip that was 6mm by 6mm in size. Whilst the APEX is admittedly larger in size, the new developments have almost tripled the speed of previous QRNGs. This could have a wide reaching impact on industries that prioritize the speed of their QRNGs, particularly for things like cryptography, encryption, and other cyber security solutions.
Gaussian RNGs
Whilst many recent innovations concern QRNGs, one research team has taken a different approach. At the University of Science and Technology of China at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a novel design has been proposed for RNGs that utilize additive Gaussian white noise (AWGN). The methodology for the Gaussian RNG (GRNG) uses the unpredictability of noise sounds based on the Piecewise-CLT algorithm.
This design could theoretically accommodate arbitrary σ values and output ranges by including variable values for σ and predefined output ranges. It is thought that the GRNG could then handle an output range of ±14σ. Due to this, the GRNG should be more flexible and configurable, leading to higher speeds and enhanced efficiency of the hardware.
And there you have it – just a few technological innovations that are taking RNGs to the next level. With these things in mind, it is clear that RNGs are set to become more widely accessible, faster, and, well, random, in the coming years.