The Atom Age Random Number Generator
The Atom Age Random Number Generator is an external serial device
which you can plug into a computer to allow the generation of truly random
numbers via quantum mechanical randomness.
Read more about it.
Source Code
- /dev/random interface version 1.56
- NOTE: this only works if you have the atom_age device configured for
continuous mode operation (see below). Note that this is an application
that busy-waits on the AA RNG and dumps data to /dev/random.
This is not a Unix device driver.
It is included here because of its elegance.
- /dev/random interface version 1.86
- discontinuous operation supported in this version
- /dev/random interface version 1.92
- reduced CPU utilization by implementing a sleep between entropy polls
- ent(1)
- randomness tests
Specifications
Size: 8" x 6.75" x 2.5"
Analog Output: 7840 bps of random bits
Digital Output: 9600 bps of ASCII hex digits
Here is some sample output from the generator.
Power: 3 x D (serial line drivers),
4 x AA (electronics),
2 x 9V (noise transistor)
Power Saving mode
For continuous mode operation, solder a jumper wire to the two pads
on either side of the "9600 baud" silk screen (near C26, close to the
RS-232C connector).
Links to Related Information
Pictures
Atom Age
[email protected]
Original date: 21 Aug 2002
Updated: 29 Aug 2002