The SwiftRNG is a general-purpose USB device that generates true random numbers at 100 Mbps. It offers ten selectable power profiles that trade generation speed and power consumption against maximum ambient temperature (see the technical specifications). It can be used alongside the other SwiftRNG models: the SwiftRNG Pro, the SwiftRNG Zn, and the SwiftRNG LE.
How it works
The SwiftRNG generates random numbers from the electrical noise produced by the avalanche breakdown effect in Zener diodes. Two independent noise sources feed the device. The noise from each source is separately amplified, filtered, and digitized, and the random bytes from both sources are combined into a single byte stream. To further reduce bias, the combined bytes are hashed in a post-processing step that produces the final true random bytes. The random bytes are sent to the host computer over USB in 16,000-byte packets.
Quality checking
The SwiftRNG implements an embedded health check test (HCT) that continuously monitors the quality of the random noise sources immediately after the electrical noise is digitized and before any further processing. The HCT logic appends a health check status byte to each transmitted data packet, so the host computer is continuously informed of the health of the generator.
The software kit continuously runs the Repetition Count and Adaptive Proportion tests (NIST SP 800-90B) on the host computer to verify the quality of the random bytes retrieved over USB.
The SwiftRNG contains patented technology.
Tech specs
| Current device version | V1.4 |
| True random byte download speed | 100 Mbps over a USB 2.0 high-speed interface |
| Power consumption | No more than 200 mA in active mode (depending on the selected power profile) and 80 mA when inactive |
| Power profiles | Ten selectable power profiles |
| Weight | 21 grams (0.74 oz) |
| Data connectivity and control interface | USB 2.0 high-speed interface with EMI filtering (also works on full-speed ports) |
| Random noise source | Two independent circuits based on the avalanche breakdown effect in reverse-biased Zener diodes |
| Device security | Secure boot from an encrypted firmware image; device access and debugging disabled |
| Post-processing algorithms available | SHA-256, SHA-512, Marsaglia’s XorShift64 |
| Embedded health check test (HCT) | Continuous health diagnostics of both random noise sources |
| Implemented statistical tests | Continuous Repetition Count and Adaptive Proportion tests in the software kit |
| Power supply | USB bus powered |
| Compliance | Certified for FCC (Class B), ISED (Class B), and CE compliance; RoHS compliant. See the compliance page for details |
| Country of origin | Designed and assembled in the USA |
Use cases
The SwiftRNG is suited to:
- Generation of encryption and secure session keys
- Feeding the
/dev/randomentropy pool - Research (statistical sampling)
- Computer simulations
- Gaming servers
Statistical tests
The SwiftRNG passes the following statistical test suites: Diehard, Dieharder, NIST, Rngtest, Ent, PractRand, and EA IID.
You can download sample test reports using the links below (the reports were generated with a SwiftRNG v1.2 with post-processing turned off, unless noted otherwise):
PractRandtest results for 16 TB of random binary data stream- Dieharder test report for a 280 GB random binary file
- NIST test report
- Ent test report for 1.2 GB of random binary data stream
rngtesttest report for 1.2 GB of random binary data streamea_iidtest report for 1000000 raw bytes from noise source 1ea_iidtest report for 1000000 raw bytes from noise source 2ea_restarttest report for noise source 1ea_restarttest report for noise source 2swdiagdiagnostics utility report for SwiftRNG v1.2swdiagdiagnostics utility report for SwiftRNG v1.3swdiagdiagnostics utility report for SwiftRNG v1.4
System requirements
One of the following operating systems:
- Linux (x86, x64, ARM)
- FreeBSD 12/13/14
- macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon)
- Windows 10/11 (64-bit) and Windows Server 2016/2019 (64-bit)
A USB 2.0 or 3.0 high-speed host port or hub is required.
Virtual machine compatibility
SwiftRNG V1.3 and later devices have been tested with the following virtual machine software:
- VMware ESXi 6.7.0
- VMware Workstation 15 Player
- Oracle VirtualBox 6.1/7.0
- Parallels Desktop for Mac (Intel and ARM)
Warranty and returns
TectroLabs offers a one-year limited warranty within the United States covering defects in materials and workmanship; we will repair or replace, at our discretion, any device that fails because of such a defect. For international orders, warranty coverage is provided in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations.
A SwiftRNG may be returned within 30 days of purchase for a full refund minus the credit card processing fee. The buyer pays for return shipping.