Harness the power of our captivating random number generator with ADS1115 and PIC32MZ2048EFH100
Random wonders: Numbers beyond predictions!
Published Aug 24, 2023
Click board™
RNG Click
Dev Board
Flip&Click PIC32MZ
Compiler
NECTO Studio
MCU
PIC32MZ2048EFH100
Enhance your decision-making processes by integrating our innovative random number generator into your applications, ensuring selection fairness and eliminating biases
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Hardware Overview
How does it work?
RNG Click is a random number generator (RNG) based on the ADS1115, 16-bit, I2C-compatible, analog-to-digital converter from Texas Instruments that generates a sequence of numbers or symbols that cannot be reasonably predicted better than by a random chance. In computing, a hardware random number generator (HRNG) or true random number generator (TRNG) is a device that generates random numbers from a physical process rather than using an algorithm. Such devices are often based on microscopic phenomena that generate low-level, statistically random "noise" signals, as in this Click board™. That process is, in theory, completely unpredictable, and the theory's assertions of unpredictability are subject to experimental tests. This is in contrast to the paradigm of pseudo-random number generation, which is commonly implemented by the
software. The heart of the RNG click is the avalanche noise generated from an internal diode of the transistor Q1 (BC846B). Avalanche breakdown is a phenomenon that can occur in both insulating and semiconducting materials. It is a form of electric current multiplication that can allow large currents within materials that are otherwise good insulators. The avalanche occurs when the electric field accelerates carriers in the transition region to energies sufficient to create mobile or free electron-hole pairs via collisions with bound electrons. To achieve that, RNG Click also has a boost converter onboard, based on TPS61041 from Texas Instruments, and creates the +18V power supply for the job. The noise signal, created by the transistors Q1 and Q2, is then amplified with Q3, voltage-limited using the Zener diode, and digitalized using the NC7S14M5X inverter. After that, the string of random ones and
zeros is achieved, which is brought to the ADS1115 - 16BIT sigma-delta ADC from Texas Instruments. The potentiometer P1 is used to set the distribution of ones and zeros as near as possible, which is indicated by the LD2 and LD3 LED diodes. The potentiometer P1 should be set to illuminate the LD2 and LD3 diodes equally. That way, when the single-shot measurement is performed using the ADS1115 over the I2C protocol, the true, 16-bit random number is obtained. This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. Also, it comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used, as a reference, for further development.
Features overview
Development board
Flip&Click PIC32MZ is a compact development board designed as a complete solution that brings the flexibility of add-on Click boards™ to your favorite microcontroller, making it a perfect starter kit for implementing your ideas. It comes with an onboard 32-bit PIC32MZ microcontroller, the PIC32MZ2048EFH100 from Microchip, four mikroBUS™ sockets for Click board™ connectivity, two USB connectors, LED indicators, buttons, debugger/programmer connectors, and two headers compatible with Arduino-UNO pinout. Thanks to innovative manufacturing technology,
it allows you to build gadgets with unique functionalities and features quickly. Each part of the Flip&Click PIC32MZ development kit contains the components necessary for the most efficient operation of the same board. In addition, there is the possibility of choosing the Flip&Click PIC32MZ programming method, using the chipKIT bootloader (Arduino-style development environment) or our USB HID bootloader using mikroC, mikroBasic, and mikroPascal for PIC32. This kit includes a clean and regulated power supply block through the USB Type-C (USB-C) connector. All communication
methods that mikroBUS™ itself supports are on this board, including the well-established mikroBUS™ socket, user-configurable buttons, and LED indicators. Flip&Click PIC32MZ development kit allows you to create a new application in minutes. Natively supported by Mikroe software tools, it covers many aspects of prototyping thanks to a considerable number of different Click boards™ (over a thousand boards), the number of which is growing every day.
Microcontroller Overview
MCU Card / MCU
Architecture
PIC32
MCU Memory (KB)
2048
Silicon Vendor
Microchip
Pin count
100
RAM (Bytes)
524288
Used MCU Pins
mikroBUS™ mapper
Take a closer look
Click board™ Schematic
Step by step
Project assembly
Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Flip&Click PIC32MZ as your development board.
Track your results in real time
Application Output via Debug Mode
1. Once the code example is loaded, pressing the "DEBUG" button initiates the build process, programs it on the created setup, and enters Debug mode.
2. After the programming is completed, a header with buttons for various actions within the IDE becomes visible. Clicking the green "PLAY" button starts reading the results achieved with the Click board™. The achieved results are displayed in the Application Output tab.
Software Support
Library Description
This library contains API for RNG Click driver.
Key functions:
rng_get_voltage- This function gets voltage in millivoltsrng_set_config- This function sets configurationrng_set_vref- This function sets desired vref.
Open Source
Code example
This example can be found in NECTO Studio. Feel free to download the code, or you can copy the code below.
/*!
* \file
* \brief Rng Click example
*
* # Description
* This click is a random number generator. The device contain potentiometer which control voltage
* so it generates a sequence of numbers or symbols that cannot be reasonably predicted better
* by a random chance. Random number generators have applications in gambling, statistical sampling,
* computer simulation, cryptography, completely randomized design, and various other areas.
*
* The demo application is composed of two sections :
*
* ## Application Init
* Initializes driver, then sets configuration and voltage reference.
*
* ## Application Task
* It reads ADC value from AIN0 channel then converts it to voltage and
* displays the result on USB UART each second.
*
* \author MikroE Team
*
*/
// ------------------------------------------------------------------- INCLUDES
#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "rng.h"
// ------------------------------------------------------------------ VARIABLES
static rng_t rng;
static log_t logger;
// ------------------------------------------------------ APPLICATION FUNCTIONS
void application_init ( void )
{
log_cfg_t log_cfg;
rng_cfg_t cfg;
/**
* Logger initialization.
* Default baud rate: 115200
* Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
* @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX
* are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will
* need to define them manually for log to work.
* See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
*/
LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
log_info( &logger, "---- Application Init ----" );
// Click initialization.
rng_cfg_setup( &cfg );
RNG_MAP_MIKROBUS( cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
rng_init( &rng, &cfg );
rng_default_cfg( &rng );
}
void application_task ( void )
{
float voltage;
voltage = rng_get_voltage( &rng );
log_printf( &logger, "Voltage from AIN0: %.2f mV\r\n", voltage );
log_printf( &logger, "-----------------------\r\n" );
Delay_ms( 1000 );
}
void main ( void )
{
application_init( );
for ( ; ; )
{
application_task( );
}
}
// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END
