Extracting Entropy from Machine Vibration

Abstract

Generating a pool of random numbers for use by computer applications. Vibration sensors are placed throughout a machine and collects information theoretic entropy data from the measurement of the vibration sensors. The data is then filtered and added to an entropy pool. Applications needing a random number may acquire a number from the pool. A method, computer program product and system to generate the pool are provided.

1 . A method to utilize the vibration of a machine for random number generation, the method comprising:
 acquiring, by at least one sensor, analog vibration data from the machine;   converting, by a computer processor, the analog vibration data to digital data form;   filtering the digital data; and   storing the filtered data within a memory unit to form a random number pool from which random numbers may be selected.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the vibration data is obtained during manufacture of the machine, thereby populating the random number pool before the machine is completely assembled. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein vibration data is obtained while the machine is powered on. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to monitor a cooling component of the machine. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , in response to a sensor detecting no vibration, the processor attempts to collect vibration data from another sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensors comprise tri-axial accelerometers imbedded in motor drives assemblies of rotating components within the machine. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein filtering comprises removing the non random parts of numbers. 
     
     
         8 . A computer program product for random number generation for security relevant features of cryptography applications, the computer program product comprising:
 computer readable storage medium having program code embodied therewith, the program code readable by a computer processor to perform a method comprising:
 acquiring, by at least one sensor, analog vibration data from the machine; 
 converting, by a computer processor, the analog vibration data to digital form; 
 filtering the digital data; and 
 storing the filtered data within a memory unit to form a random number pool from which random numbers may be selected by a client. 
   
     
     
         9 . The computer program product according to  claim 8 , wherein the vibration data is obtained during manufacturing of the machine, thereby populating the random number pool before the machine is completely assembled. 
     
     
         10 . The computer program product according to  claim 8 , wherein vibration data is obtained while the machine is powered on. 
     
     
         11 . The computer program product according to  claim 8 , wherein the sensor is configured to monitor a cooling component of the machine. 
     
     
         12 . The computer program product according to  claim 11 , in response to a sensor detecting no vibration, the processor attempts to collect vibration data from another sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the sensors comprise tri-axial accelerometers imbedded in motor drives assemblies of rotating components within the machine. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein filtering comprises removing the non random parts of numbers. 
     
     
         15 . A computer system to generate random numbers, the system comprising:
 a computer processor;   at least one sensor in communication with the processor for acquiring analog vibration data from the system;   wherein the computer processor is configured to:
 convert the analog acceleration data to digital data form; 
 filter the digital data; and 
 store the filtered data within a memory unit to form a random number pool from which random numbers may be selected. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the vibration data is obtained during manufacturing of the machine, thereby populating the random number pool before the machine is completely assembled. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein vibration data is obtained while the system is powered on. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the sensor is configured to monitor a cooling component of the system. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , in response to a sensor detecting no vibration, the processor attempts to collect vibration data from another sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the sensors comprise tri-axial accelerometers imbedded in motor drives assemblies of rotating components within the system.