A quantum random number generator on a nanosatellite in low Earth orbit

Abstract

Quantum random number generators find applications in both quantum and classical communications schemes, particularly in security protocols where they can be used as a source of random seed or key material. In this work, we describe the implementation of a quantum random number generator on-board a nanosatellite deployed in low Earth orbit. Our generator samples shot noise from an entangled photon-pair source based on spontaneous parametric down-conversion, linking the entropy of the output to the quantization of the down-converted beam. We present analyzed data from the orbiting instrument alongside data taken from a ground-based engineering model where the statistical test suites indicate a good match to the output from a uniform distribution. Finally, we use the source to implement a prototype for an off-grid randomness beacon. This work paves the way to future low Earth orbit based public quantum randomness beacons.

MRNG: Accessing Cosmic Radiation as an Entropy Source for a Non-Deterministic Random Number Generator

“…Furthermore, occurrences of each bit pattern of 2, such as 00, 01, 10, and 11, should be 25%, whereas bit patterns of 3 should match at 12.5%. Those values shall ideally be reached in an asymptotic manner [ 32 , 34 ]. An analysis of 414 MRNG-P124 sequences is shown in Figure 5 .…”

“…Reezwana et al [ 32 ] implemented and tested a QRNG on a nano-satellite in low Earth orbit, called SpooQy1 [ 33 ]. They tested their RNG with excellent results within a laboratory setting.…”

“…Furthermore, Reezwana et al [ 32 ], Martínez et al [ 39 ] suggest the Borel normality criterion by Calude [ 34 ] to indicate a lack of patterns within a tested sequence. The Borel normality criterion allows for an asymptomatic test on even short sequences with respect to the correlating Borel normality criterion level, allowing for the possibility of indicating the lack of patterns within the tested sequence and implying a suggestion for a random sequence.…”

Globalization in Photonics Research and Development

“…TII is also actively advancing its efforts in photonics through its Quantum Research Center (QRC), within the Quantum Sensing department, led by the Senior Scientific Director Dr. Rene Reimann, on levitated nanoparticle using optical twister [149], [150], and the Quantum Communications department, led by the Senior Scientific Director Dr. James Grieve, on entangled single photon sources and quantum key distribution (QKD) [151], [152].…”

Analyses of unpredictable properties of a wind-driven triboelectric random number generator

“…Thus, the development of a TRNG with a variety of entropy sources is vital to achieving secure IoT technology 11 – 15 . There were a few reports on devising a TRNG using various entropy sources in nature 16 – 18 . However, their extraction of true random numbers through post-processing can be a demerit in reducing power consumption.…”