Abstract: A circuit for randomizing data or de-randomzing previously randomized data according to a randomization scheme utilizing an irreducible generator polynomial which operates on a serial bit stream of words of data which is supplied to said circuit in a format, either LSB or MSB first, different from the format according to which the data was previously randomized or will be subsequently de-randomized. The circuit includes means for generating said irreducible generator polynomial; means for triggering said generating means in a given direction in response to a clock signal; means for exclusively ORing the contents of a bit in said generating means with a bit in said bit stream; and means for periodically interrupting said triggering means and instead setting the state of said generating means a predetermined number of states in a direction effectively the opposite to which said generating means normally generates data.