Radio and Electronics Cookbook

62

An electronic die

Introduction

Throwing a die is a venerable way of generating a ‘random’ number between 1 and 6. A die is easy to lose, so here is an electronic die-throwing circuit which brings the technique up to date and serves as another application of logic circuits. If you need a reminder of the basics of logic, refer to Digital logic circuits.

Warning

This circuit uses members of the integrated circuit family known as CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor). These use very little current and can be completed destroyed if they come into contact with the magnitudes of static electricity that most of us carry about when we walk on carpets and wear rubber shoes. You will never know if this wanton destruction has happened – ...