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2. Definitions
The function of a random number generator, whatever its type, is of course the intuitive notion of producing many numbers, such as those obtained by randomly drawing many perfect dice (or using a single die many times). Before we begin our study of the classical structures of random number generators, we need to recall a few definitions and the necessary mathematical tools, as well as the terminology of the main elements we'll encounter in what follows.
2.1 Mathematical definitions and models
Mathematically defining chance or randomness is a complex problem that is still the subject of debate today. Fortunately, only fairly simple notions of statistics, probability and algorithms are needed for the rest.
Numerous theoretical works have...
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Definitions
Examples of pseudo-random generators
Bibliography
Software tools
DIEHARD: statistical test library proposed in 1995 by G. Marsaglia https://github.com/nmondal/diehard.c
DIEHARDER: statistical test library more comprehensive than DIEHARD and maintained by R. Brown since 2003 http://www.phy.duke.edu/rgb/General/dieharder.php
...Websites
L'ECUYER Pierre. Professional page (numerous publications, software and references on PRNG) http://www.iro.umontreal.ca/lecueyer
Page of a group of computer scientists and mathematicians working on the mathematical, testing and software aspects of PRNG. http://www.random.mat.sbg.ac.at/
...Events
CHES (Cryptographic Hardware and Embedded Systems) annual international conference since 1999. The reference in hardware cryptography with regular papers on RNG (TRNG and PRNG hardware). http://www.chesworkshop.org/
Annual CryptArchi (Cryptographic Architectures Embedded in Reconfigurable Devices) study days since 2003, mainly European....
Standards and norms
- Secure Hash Standard (SHS). Federal information processing standards (FIPS) http://www.csrc.nist.gov/publications/fips/fips180-4/fips-180-4.pdf - FIPS 180-4 - 03-12
- Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules. Federal information processing standards (FIPS) http://www.csrc.nist.gov/publications/fips/fips1401.htm - FIPS 140-1 - 01-94
- A Statistical Test Suite for Random and Pseudorandom Number Generators...
Patents
Parker (R.D.). – Telegraph ciphering key tape machine. US Patent 2 406 031 (1946).
Directory
Organizations – Federations – Associations (non-exhaustive list)
ANSSI: French National Agency for Information Systems Security http://www.ssi.gouv.fr/
BSI (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik ) : German Federal Office for Information Technology Security
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