A Raspberry Pi-based Truly Random Number Generator

Random numbers are essential for all kinds of things, especially cryptography. Computers, however, can only produce pseudorandom numbers, which can be “guessed” by using sophisticated software. Truly random numbers are hard to come by. Luckily, with a few wires and a Ras Pi, one can create a lot of random numbers very quickly.A Raspberry Pi-based Truly Random Number Generator

For this project you will need:
1x Raspberry Pi
3x Breadboard wires

And, for the optional LED output section:
1x LED
1x current-limiting resistor (for the LED)
3x Breadboard wires

Step 1: Wiring

This is the easiest wiring project you've ever done.
For the RNG inputs, connect breadboard wires to GPIO 4, 17, and 22. If that's all you want, you're done. skip to the coding.
For the LED output, connect a resistor and an LED in series (with the resistor on the positive pin of the LED), then connect the Pi's ground to the ground rail on the breadboard. Connect the other end of the LED to ground and the other end of the resistor to GPIO 25.

Step 2: Code

This code has 6 configurable parameters:  Length of the random numbers to output (in bits), the three input pins, the output pin, and the Time to Sleep (tts). A shorter TTS speeds up the generator but reduces entropy. TTS defaults to 0.01 seconds.

#!/usr/bin/env python
#Uses floating inputs on GPIO4, GPIO17, and GPIO22 to generate truly random numbers
#Outputs to GPIO 25 when a new number is done and sends the number to STDOUT

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import sys
from time import sleep

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)

def getRBit(pin1, pin2, pin3, tts):   #gets a random set of bits, XORs them, and outputs one random bit
bit1 = 0
bit2 = 0
bit3 = 0
bitv = 0
GPIO.setup(pin1, GPIO.IN)
GPIO.setup(pin2, GPIO.IN)
GPIO.setup(pin3, GPIO.IN)
sleep(tts) #Sleep so the CPU can mess around and change the EMF environment
bit1 = GPIO.input(pin1)
if bit1:
bit1 = 1
else:
bit1 = 0
sleep(tts) #Sleep so the CPU can mess around and change the EMF environment
bit2 = GPIO.input(pin2)
if bit2:
bit2 = 1
else:
bit2 = 0
sleep(tts) #Sleep so the CPU can mess around and change the EMF environment
bit3 = GPIO.input(pin3)
if bit3:
bit3 = 1
else:
bit3 = 0
#Now do some XOR logic
bitv = bit1 ^ bit2
out = bitv ^ bit3
return out

def getRInt(x, pin1, pin2, pin3, pin4, tts=0.01): #get an x-bit number by looping through a string a bunch. Pin4 is LEDout.
GPIO.setup(pin4, GPIO.OUT)
binstr = “” #Set up to be converted to binary
rint = 0
rbit = 0
i = 0
for i in range (0, x-1):
i += 1
rbit = getRBit(pin1, pin2, pin3, tts)
binstr = binstr + str(rbit)
#print(binstr)   # For debug purposes
rint = int(binstr, 2)
GPIO.output(pin4, True)
sleep(0.2)
GPIO.output(pin4, False)
return rint
while True:
print(getRInt(64, 4, 17, 22, 25, 0.01)) #bits, in1, in2, in3, out, tts A Raspberry Pi-based Truly Random Number Generator schematich

Step 3: Uses and Notes

I suggest using this generator for encryption as the numbers that it generates are highly entropic and pretty much unguessable, barring a bruteforce attack. Using these numbers to seed, for example, the PHP PRNG is a great way to make its output unguessable.
A small note: it may take a VERY long time (~ several minutes) for the generator to make numbers with lots of bits (above 1k). Instead of doing that, I suggest seeding a pseudorandom generator with this truly random output. It's still unguessable.

About The Author

Ibrar Ayyub

I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.

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