Branding
Q-Transfer
A low-cost hardware-based entropy generation system using physical noise sources and entropy extraction techniques, integrating SHA-256 and AES-256-GCM encryption for secure messaging and file transfer.
Year :
2025
Industry :
encryption decryption
Client :
Pepoles
Project Duration :
9 weeks
Problem :
Secure digital communication depends on high-quality random numbers for cryptographic key generation, but most low-cost embedded systems rely on pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs), which are deterministic and predictable. Student projects typically use software or built-in MCU RNGs without ever proving the quality or true randomness of their output. Raw physical noise sources like Zener diodes or photodiodes are inherently biased and cannot be used directly for cryptography. Commercial Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs) exist but are expensive, proprietary, and impractical for academic or low-budget use. This leaves a real gap for a genuinely random, verifiable, low-cost entropy source suitable for student-level cryptographic systems.
Solution :
Q-Transfer uses two independent physical entropy sources — Zener diode avalanche noise and photodiode shot noise — conditioned through low-noise amplifiers and PCB-level isolation. The analog noise is sampled via ESP32 ADC with oversampling, then passed through a Von-Neumann randomness extractor to remove bias. The verified entropy is used to generate AES-256-GCM encryption keys, with SHA-256 used for additional cryptographic operations. The system is demonstrated through a working website supporting encrypted messaging and file transfer, backed by Node.js/Express and a custom PCB design. The entire pipeline — noise generation to encrypted communication — is low-cost, reproducible, and built from off-the-shelf components.
Challenge :
Isolating and conditioning true analog noise (Zener avalanche and photodiode shot noise) without introducing bias or correlation required careful low-noise amplifier design and PCB-level shielding. Implementing the Von-Neumann and Peres extractors correctly in C++ on the ESP32 was essential to strip bias from raw noise without discarding too much entropy. Sampling reliably via ADC oversampling while keeping real-time performance for encryption demanded careful firmware tuning. Environmental sensitivity — temperature drift, power supply variation, and component aging — affects noise characteristics and entropy quality over time. Migrating from the prototype (ESP8266 + basic components) to real hardware (custom PCB with ESP32, LM358, BPW34) introduced additional analog design and layout challenges. Proving actual entropy quality (bias/correlation testing) added rigor beyond a typical student project's scope.
Summary :
Q-Transfer is a low-cost, hardware-based quantum random number generator that converts physical noise (Zener avalanche and photodiode shot noise) into cryptographically usable entropy. Using an ESP32, Von-Neumann/Peres extraction, and AES-256-GCM encryption, it demonstrates real, verifiable randomness applied to secure messaging and file transfer over a working web platform. The project spans analog circuit design, embedded firmware, cryptography, and full-stack web development. Both a breadboard prototype and a custom PCB implementation were built and tested. Future plans include integrating this as a payload aboard Vaan Mithra (a quantum-enabled climate satellite) and eventually developing a standalone QRNG product or microprocessor implementation.
More Projects
Branding
Q-Transfer
A low-cost hardware-based entropy generation system using physical noise sources and entropy extraction techniques, integrating SHA-256 and AES-256-GCM encryption for secure messaging and file transfer.
Year :
2025
Industry :
encryption decryption
Client :
Pepoles
Project Duration :
9 weeks
Problem :
Secure digital communication depends on high-quality random numbers for cryptographic key generation, but most low-cost embedded systems rely on pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs), which are deterministic and predictable. Student projects typically use software or built-in MCU RNGs without ever proving the quality or true randomness of their output. Raw physical noise sources like Zener diodes or photodiodes are inherently biased and cannot be used directly for cryptography. Commercial Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs) exist but are expensive, proprietary, and impractical for academic or low-budget use. This leaves a real gap for a genuinely random, verifiable, low-cost entropy source suitable for student-level cryptographic systems.
Solution :
Q-Transfer uses two independent physical entropy sources — Zener diode avalanche noise and photodiode shot noise — conditioned through low-noise amplifiers and PCB-level isolation. The analog noise is sampled via ESP32 ADC with oversampling, then passed through a Von-Neumann randomness extractor to remove bias. The verified entropy is used to generate AES-256-GCM encryption keys, with SHA-256 used for additional cryptographic operations. The system is demonstrated through a working website supporting encrypted messaging and file transfer, backed by Node.js/Express and a custom PCB design. The entire pipeline — noise generation to encrypted communication — is low-cost, reproducible, and built from off-the-shelf components.
Challenge :
Isolating and conditioning true analog noise (Zener avalanche and photodiode shot noise) without introducing bias or correlation required careful low-noise amplifier design and PCB-level shielding. Implementing the Von-Neumann and Peres extractors correctly in C++ on the ESP32 was essential to strip bias from raw noise without discarding too much entropy. Sampling reliably via ADC oversampling while keeping real-time performance for encryption demanded careful firmware tuning. Environmental sensitivity — temperature drift, power supply variation, and component aging — affects noise characteristics and entropy quality over time. Migrating from the prototype (ESP8266 + basic components) to real hardware (custom PCB with ESP32, LM358, BPW34) introduced additional analog design and layout challenges. Proving actual entropy quality (bias/correlation testing) added rigor beyond a typical student project's scope.
Summary :
Q-Transfer is a low-cost, hardware-based quantum random number generator that converts physical noise (Zener avalanche and photodiode shot noise) into cryptographically usable entropy. Using an ESP32, Von-Neumann/Peres extraction, and AES-256-GCM encryption, it demonstrates real, verifiable randomness applied to secure messaging and file transfer over a working web platform. The project spans analog circuit design, embedded firmware, cryptography, and full-stack web development. Both a breadboard prototype and a custom PCB implementation were built and tested. Future plans include integrating this as a payload aboard Vaan Mithra (a quantum-enabled climate satellite) and eventually developing a standalone QRNG product or microprocessor implementation.
More Projects
Branding
Q-Transfer
A low-cost hardware-based entropy generation system using physical noise sources and entropy extraction techniques, integrating SHA-256 and AES-256-GCM encryption for secure messaging and file transfer.
Year :
2025
Industry :
encryption decryption
Client :
Pepoles
Project Duration :
9 weeks
Problem :
Secure digital communication depends on high-quality random numbers for cryptographic key generation, but most low-cost embedded systems rely on pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs), which are deterministic and predictable. Student projects typically use software or built-in MCU RNGs without ever proving the quality or true randomness of their output. Raw physical noise sources like Zener diodes or photodiodes are inherently biased and cannot be used directly for cryptography. Commercial Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs) exist but are expensive, proprietary, and impractical for academic or low-budget use. This leaves a real gap for a genuinely random, verifiable, low-cost entropy source suitable for student-level cryptographic systems.
Solution :
Q-Transfer uses two independent physical entropy sources — Zener diode avalanche noise and photodiode shot noise — conditioned through low-noise amplifiers and PCB-level isolation. The analog noise is sampled via ESP32 ADC with oversampling, then passed through a Von-Neumann randomness extractor to remove bias. The verified entropy is used to generate AES-256-GCM encryption keys, with SHA-256 used for additional cryptographic operations. The system is demonstrated through a working website supporting encrypted messaging and file transfer, backed by Node.js/Express and a custom PCB design. The entire pipeline — noise generation to encrypted communication — is low-cost, reproducible, and built from off-the-shelf components.
Challenge :
Isolating and conditioning true analog noise (Zener avalanche and photodiode shot noise) without introducing bias or correlation required careful low-noise amplifier design and PCB-level shielding. Implementing the Von-Neumann and Peres extractors correctly in C++ on the ESP32 was essential to strip bias from raw noise without discarding too much entropy. Sampling reliably via ADC oversampling while keeping real-time performance for encryption demanded careful firmware tuning. Environmental sensitivity — temperature drift, power supply variation, and component aging — affects noise characteristics and entropy quality over time. Migrating from the prototype (ESP8266 + basic components) to real hardware (custom PCB with ESP32, LM358, BPW34) introduced additional analog design and layout challenges. Proving actual entropy quality (bias/correlation testing) added rigor beyond a typical student project's scope.
Summary :
Q-Transfer is a low-cost, hardware-based quantum random number generator that converts physical noise (Zener avalanche and photodiode shot noise) into cryptographically usable entropy. Using an ESP32, Von-Neumann/Peres extraction, and AES-256-GCM encryption, it demonstrates real, verifiable randomness applied to secure messaging and file transfer over a working web platform. The project spans analog circuit design, embedded firmware, cryptography, and full-stack web development. Both a breadboard prototype and a custom PCB implementation were built and tested. Future plans include integrating this as a payload aboard Vaan Mithra (a quantum-enabled climate satellite) and eventually developing a standalone QRNG product or microprocessor implementation.