Implementation of Test Suite for Randomness using MATLAB

The project work undertaken by us involves the development of a test suite to check the randomness of data generated by random number source that is proposed to be used for cryptographic, modelling and simulation applications purposes. The statistical test suite by NIST, U.S. Department of commerce consists of 15 tests to select and test random number sources. It proposes criteria for characterizing and selecting appropriate generators. We are proposing to develop a test suite consisting of 14 feasible tests out of 15 tests from NIST test suite using MATLAB and implement it on a hardware kit. The random number source can be a standard generator like Bernoulli binary number generator, or output of an any cryptographic key generator algorithm. These generator types produce a stream of zeros and ones that may be divided into sub streams or blocks of random numbers. These are taken as input for our test suite, conduct tests on these data and randomness is evaluated. Our hardware will display the strength of the input binary sequence based on randomness and unpredictability and hence evaluates the suitability of random number source block for cryptographic applications. However, no combination of statistical tests can completely vouch for the suitability of a generator for use in a certain application; in other words, statistical testing cannot take the place of cryptanalysis. Generator design and cryptanalysis are outside the purview of our project..