Secure true random number generator in WLAN/LAN

Abstract

Wireless networks need more security in comparison to the other networks due to their intrinsic vulnerabilities to possible attacks. It is expected that by using a distributed method for true random number generators (TRNG) in wireless sensor networks (WSN) and wireless LAN (WLAN) randomness quality of generated numbers can be enhanced. We analyze a protocol for a distributed TRNG named Scatter<inf>Light</inf>(L.R. Giuseppe, M. Fabrizio and O. Marco, 2011) for a WSN. After making some changes on Scatter<inf>Light</inf>structure and physical data sources, the Enhanced Scatter<inf>Light</inf>protocol is introduced; it provides secure and high qualified true random numbers. Thus, the quality of randomness of obtained random numbers using National Institute of Standards and Technology tests is evaluated. Finally, by analyzing the results, it can be conducted that Enhanced Scatter<inf>Light</inf>protocol in comparisons with Scatter<inf>Light</inf>protocol in WLAN and LAN provides 60% and 53% better randomness quality respectively, while the performance is equal in both protocols. Copyright © 2013 ACM.