Thai Random Number Service (ThaiRand)

               This project was proposed to create the first on-line service for random numbers in Thailand. Random numbers are applied in many applications such as data encryption, authentication, PIN number generation, mobile paid systems, random sampling, and lotteries and draws. By any set of values, qualified random numbers should not be determined and cannot be reproduced although the same sequence might occur several times by chance. However, most random number generators rely on deterministic computation and approximate the properties of random numbers. To generate true random numbers, a generator called "true random number generator (TRNG)" is used. It extracts randomness from e.g. radioactive source, atmospheric noise, and physical phenomenon (or quantum phenomenon), and introduces the randomness into the random number computation.

              The main outcome of this project is a web service named "Thai Random Number Service (ThaiRand)". It offers true random numbers generated by a physical TRNG that could provide a random bit stream at an average rate of 4 Mbps and guarantee its integrity by continuously monitoring its all functions. The bit stream is automatically inhabited in case of a system failure. However, such the device is generally expensive and not everyone has access to it. Thus, the web service technology is implemented. ThaiRand also provides the test suit to verify a given number with the properties of true random numbers. The test suit is based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) statistical test suite for random and pseudo random number generators. Figure 1 presents the main page of ThaiRand which is now available at http://www.nectec.or.th/thairand.

Figure 1 The main page of ThaiRand

Other information of the project is provided below.

• Project duration:

                  Feb 2009 – Feb 2010

• Main contribution:

                 - A web service called "ThaiRand" for true random number generation (using a physical TRNG) and verification

• Project status:

                 Beta version of ThaiRand (running)

• Project head:

                 Ms. Kruawan Wongpanya

• Project partner:

                 Department of Information Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Thailand