Advantages of imperfect dice rolls over coin flips for random number generation

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.. Authors: Pfeffer, Douglas T. [Univ. of Tampa, FL (United States)] (ORCID:0000000182872686); Allemang, Christopher Richard [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:0000000187120782); Misra, Shashank [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:0000000170226994); Severa, William Mark [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:000000028740220X); Smith, John Darby [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:0000000236430868). DOE Contract: NA0003525. Subjects: applied mathematics; electrical engineering; electronic engineering