Advantages of imperfect dice rolls over coin flips for random number generation
Abstract With an eye toward neural-inspired probabilistic computation, recent work has examined the development of true random number generators via stochastic devices. Typically, these devices are operated in a two-state regime to produce a sequence of binary outcomes (i.e., coin flips). However, t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96492-8 |
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| author | Douglas T. Pfeffer Christopher R. Allemang Shashank Misra William Severa J. Darby Smith |
| author_facet | Douglas T. Pfeffer Christopher R. Allemang Shashank Misra William Severa J. Darby Smith |
| author_sort | Douglas T. Pfeffer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract With an eye toward neural-inspired probabilistic computation, recent work has examined the development of true random number generators via stochastic devices. Typically, these devices are operated in a two-state regime to produce a sequence of binary outcomes (i.e., coin flips). However, there is no guarantee that stochastic devices will infallibly produce fair outputs and small deviations from a uniform distribution may have unwanted complications in applications. Using mathematical analysis, we contend that opting instead for a multi-state device (i.e., a dice roll) has benefits in these unfair paradigms. To demonstrate these benefits, we apply this framework to the analysis of a tunnel diode operated in a stochastic regime. In particular, interpreting the binary stochastic output of the tunnel diode as a multi-state die roll output also sees advantages in remaining closer to uniform. Overall, our approach provides a compelling argument for mathematical driven co-design and development of novel probabilistic computing devices and hardware. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-efb4e2c18922485d963e75acde6b1183 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-efb4e2c18922485d963e75acde6b11832025-08-20T02:17:09ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-96492-8Advantages of imperfect dice rolls over coin flips for random number generationDouglas T. Pfeffer0Christopher R. Allemang1Shashank Misra2William Severa3J. Darby Smith4University of TampaSandia National LaboratoriesSandia National LaboratoriesSandia National LaboratoriesSandia National LaboratoriesAbstract With an eye toward neural-inspired probabilistic computation, recent work has examined the development of true random number generators via stochastic devices. Typically, these devices are operated in a two-state regime to produce a sequence of binary outcomes (i.e., coin flips). However, there is no guarantee that stochastic devices will infallibly produce fair outputs and small deviations from a uniform distribution may have unwanted complications in applications. Using mathematical analysis, we contend that opting instead for a multi-state device (i.e., a dice roll) has benefits in these unfair paradigms. To demonstrate these benefits, we apply this framework to the analysis of a tunnel diode operated in a stochastic regime. In particular, interpreting the binary stochastic output of the tunnel diode as a multi-state die roll output also sees advantages in remaining closer to uniform. Overall, our approach provides a compelling argument for mathematical driven co-design and development of novel probabilistic computing devices and hardware.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96492-8 |
| spellingShingle | Douglas T. Pfeffer Christopher R. Allemang Shashank Misra William Severa J. Darby Smith Advantages of imperfect dice rolls over coin flips for random number generation Scientific Reports |
| title | Advantages of imperfect dice rolls over coin flips for random number generation |
| title_full | Advantages of imperfect dice rolls over coin flips for random number generation |
| title_fullStr | Advantages of imperfect dice rolls over coin flips for random number generation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advantages of imperfect dice rolls over coin flips for random number generation |
| title_short | Advantages of imperfect dice rolls over coin flips for random number generation |
| title_sort | advantages of imperfect dice rolls over coin flips for random number generation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96492-8 |
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