----- Original Message -----
From: Wilhelm Erouve <JRouvelle@AOL.COM>
To: <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Sent: Friday, October 15, 1999 5:47 PM
Subject: "Real" Random sequence sought


> Looking for examples of a real random sequence for use with the 16f84.
Have
> generated a succesful psuedo-random routine and would like to work with
the
> real.

This can easily be acheived by amplifying the shot noise across a PN
junction.  Zener diodes are a particularly good source of noise.  This is
random to the same degree as the radioactive decay method already suggested,
but obviously much more practical.

Once recorded, does a random sequence cease to be random as can now be
repeated at will, and is surely now - by definition - deterministic? Can
randomness be quantified?  Any mathematicians out there care to enlighten
me?

Regards

Mick