TRNGs: True Random Number Generators

Piller, Ernst; Schölnast, Hubert

Content of this appendix

Appendix 06 · TRNGs: True Random Number Generators

This appendix focuses on true random number generators as a foundation for physical cryptographic methods, especially MKD and one-time-pad key generation. It explains why deterministic pseudorandomness is not sufficient when the security goal is tied to truly random key bits and why entropy sources must be evaluated carefully.

The material surveys physical entropy sources, throughput, post-processing, health tests, certification, and integration into cryptographic systems. It also discusses practical trade-offs: higher output speed, verifiability, component reliability, and resistance against manipulation or environmental influence are all relevant when large key volumes must be produced.

The appendix connects TRNG quality directly to deployment decisions. For MKD, random-number generation can become a throughput bottleneck; for QKD and RKD, randomness also appears in protocol operation, authentication, and post-processing. The chapter therefore treats TRNGs as infrastructure for the whole security model.

Explains why true randomness matters for OTP keys
Surveys physical entropy sources and post-processing
Discusses speed, testing, and certification
Connects TRNGs to MKD throughput requirements
Highlights verification and manipulation risks

Suggested citation

Reference in IEEE style

E. Piller and H. Schölnast, “Appendix 06: TRNGs: True Random Number Generators,” author-maintained supplementary material for Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics: Comparing Physical Methods of Cryptography, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://cryptography.study/phys/TRNG/.

Reference in ACM style

Ernst Piller and Hubert Schölnast. 2026. Appendix 06: TRNGs: True Random Number Generators. Author-maintained supplementary material for Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics: Comparing Physical Methods of Cryptography. https://cryptography.study/phys/TRNG/

BibTeX entry

@misc{piller_schoelnast_2026_appendix_06_trngs,
  title        = {TRNGs: True Random Number Generators},
  author       = {Ernst Piller and Hubert Schölnast},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {Author-maintained supplementary material for Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics},
  url          = {https://cryptography.study/phys/TRNG/},
  note         = {Related book DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3},
  language     = {en}
}

RIS entry

TY  - GEN
TI  - TRNGs: True Random Number Generators
T2  - Author-maintained supplementary material for Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics
AU  - Piller, Ernst
AU  - Schölnast, Hubert
PY  - 2026
UR  - https://cryptography.study/phys/TRNG/
N1  - Related book DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3
LA  - en
ER  -

CSL JSON entry

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