> My question is: how to generate a "truly" random number on the application
> of power. The number should not be determined upon the compilation of the
> software, but should be upon the initial powerup of the chip. (Or, it
should
> be determine by each individual chip.)

You program each chip, so how about compiling anew for each chip with
something like -DSERIAL=nnn where you set nnn to for instance increment for
each chip? It could all be automated easily (for instance with tcl or
python) as part of the programming process. Or use programming software that
allows you to modify the hex file on the fly from the command line (does
such programing software exist?).

Wouter van Ooijen

van Ooijen Technische Informatica: http://www.xs4all.nl/~wf/
Jal compiler for PIC uC's:  http://www.xs4all.nl/~wf/wouter/pic/jal

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