A random number generator includes a plurality of groups of independent
flip flops, each of the groups having different configurations. Each of
the outputs of the plurality of groups of flip flops being connected in
an exclusive-or (XOR) arrangement, with a latch connected to the output
of the DXOR. A metastable output of at least one of the flip flops causes
a random signal to be output by the XOR for random number generation. The
groups of flip flops can be divided into equally-sized groups, or
unequally-sized groups with different configurations, such as the
cross-connecting of NAND gates with or without buffers inserted between
the data and clock signals, or inserting buffers between a data line of
at least one NAND gate of each of the pairs of NAND gates being
connected, or inserting a buffer between clock input of at least one NAND
gate of each of the pairs of NAND gates being connected via a buffer.
Capacitive loading and cross-connected buffers may also be used to induce
varying delays.