https://github.com/gbonacini/nuclear_rng_generation3
"Geigerless" Nuclear Random Number Generator
https://github.com/gbonacini/nuclear_rng_generation3
bg51 cpp nuclear radiation random-number-generators raspberry-pi-pico rng
Last synced: 4 months ago
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"Geigerless" Nuclear Random Number Generator
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/gbonacini/nuclear_rng_generation3
- Owner: gbonacini
- License: other
- Created: 2024-01-06T00:42:22.000Z (over 2 years ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2024-01-13T21:29:32.000Z (over 2 years ago)
- Last Synced: 2024-03-05T10:27:45.809Z (over 2 years ago)
- Topics: bg51, cpp, nuclear, radiation, random-number-generators, raspberry-pi-pico, rng
- Language: C++
- Homepage:
- Size: 34.2 MB
- Stars: 0
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Changelog: ChangeLog
- Authors: AUTHORS
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
Introduction:
=============
This project is the third variation of the theme "creation of RNG generators based on nuclear decay", you can find the other two implementations here:
[NuclearRNG Version 1](https://github.com/gbonacini/nuclear_random_number_generator)
[NuclearRNG Version 2](https://github.com/gbonacini/nuclear_rng_generation2)
This version, differently from the previous two, does not use a Geiger–Müller tube nor a classic Geiger counter but an array of PIN diodes produced by Teviso company, named BG51:
[BG51 Datasheet](https://www.teviso.com/file/pdf/bg51-data-specification.pdf)
Using that component, the implementation of the present appliance is greatly simplified, avoiding all the high voltage circuitry necessary to operate a Geiger tube. Furthermore, the small dimensions of the component permits to implement a very compact device.
Hardware:
=========
* A Raspberry Pico (RP2040) is employed as microcontroller platform;
* A BG51 radiation sensor;
* Some circuitry to filter the power source and to convert the logic level of the sensor output.
Hardware Details:
=================
* As radiation source, a piece of ceramic coated with uranium oxide is employed. It comes from a salt / pepper dispenser I purchased set from the 50s, unfortunately one was damaged, the handle was broken and that peace is now temporarily the source of this appliance:
* A lead metallic shield contains both a radiation source and the sensor, fixed with non-permanent glue. The shielding has two functions, prevent radiation to reach the external environment and prevent external interferences, both particles (particle injection attack ? :-) ) and electromagnetic. In fact the product, as stated in datasheets, requires some kind of shielding:
* A circuit to stabilize input voltage is required, I tested also with boards different from Pico having the same results: being the sensor sensible to rumor in the power supply, a filter is mandatory. Testing without filtering in power input, produced distortions in the output. I implemented a filter using the specifications in Teviso's manuals and all problems disappeared.
* Datasheet tell us that at least 4V are required, so I opted for 5V and a small logic level converter to interface the sensor to Pico's 3V logic. This operation could be made with many different solution, I used my own.
Algorithm and Features:
=======================
* In loop, a register with a representation od an unsigned integer is cyclically increased from 0 to its maximum value, when it reaches the maximum it restarts from zero. When a particle is detected, the current value is stored in queue ready to be deployed on request;
* Default queue length is 10240 bytes.
Protocol:
=========
* When a socket connects to the appliance via WIFI, a message with the following format is given as response:
```shell
ready\n
```
where '\n' is "newline" character
* You require a RN sending the message:
```shell
req
```
* Then you'll receive a RN in an answer with the following format:
```shell
```
where:
- the first field is a random number in the range 0-15 or the number 16 if an error was generated or no number is available yet;
- the second field represent the original value of the register incremented in loop to extract the random number using module operator of integer division by the specific range (0-255, 8-bit integers), it's provided as safeguard to verify that the loop cover every possible value for a given event frequency;
- the separator is the character ':';
- then a field with an integer telling you how many RNs are available in the appliance buffer, ready to be requested;
- a newline ( '\n' ) ends the message.
* Example:
```shell
52:3473460:1384\n
```
* You can terminate the connection with the command:
```shell
end
```
* At the moment, concurrent access is not supported (aka I don't need it for now), so, closing the connection also permits different client to connect;
Dependencies:
=============
* Raspberry Pi Pico SDK
* Cmake
Detailed instruction for dependencies installation are available on Raspberry website.
Configuration:
==============
* Before compiling, is required to edit wifi_credential.hpp inserting Wifi SSID and password.
Installation and Use:
=====================
- compile the program as follow (set -DPICO_SDK_PATH using real pico-sdk path):
```shell
cd build
make -f makefile.srv all
```
- deploy the generated binary file named:
```shell
geiger_gen3.uf2
```
putting the Pico in "deploy mode" pushing the white button before connecting USB cable and releasing the same button a second after the connection.
- A trivial Python client example is present in "test" directory in the present software distribution.
- The number can be requested from any program able to create Berkeley sockets using the described protocol.
Credits:
========
- Thanks to Teviso company (https://www.teviso.com) that kindly provided the sensor for this project;
- Thanks to my friend Andrea ( https://github.com/btlgs2000 ) for his help to test this applicance.
Coming soon:
============
- test and statistics