Sound-LDR Sensors Empowered Secure True Random Number Generator for PoS Consensus in Blockchain

In a decentralized environment of blockchain, people usually select a random node to perform bookkeeping with the Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. To randomly select miners and validators and ensure fair distribution of rewards, the algorithm must incorporate a fair, unbiased random number source. Therefore, in many PoS consensus mechanisms, random numbers are a critical technology. PoS consensus faces the following problems in random number generation: Firstly, in the PoS system, if the number and order of the selected verification nodes are predicted by the attacker, the system will be vulnerable to attacks. Second, if the random number generation algorithm has loopholes or is cracked by an attacker, the attacker may use these loopholes to attack the network, resulting in the insecurity of the PoS system. To address the challenges above, this paper proposes a low-cost, light-weighted, true random number generator designed by a sensors that detects non-deterministic signals. The random numbers generated through this method passed the NIST-STS randomness test. The true random number generator is applied to the commit-reveal service in PoS consensus to randomly elect block producer. Using the random number generated can also enhance IoT security because Photoresistor sensors have applications in IoT systems for smart building. The random number generated by the IoT device can be used as the basis for randomness proof on the blockchain. And the cloud can also use the randomness for identity verification, secure event tracing, data integrity and tamper resistance.