Synchronous Counters Tutorial & Circuits - Sequential Logic - Electronic Hobby Projects

Electronic, Microprocessor, Mircro Controller and PC based Projects / Circuits for Engineering Students, Hobbyiest and R&D
persons

Sequential Logic - Electronic Tutorials

Search

Hobbyprojects.
Web com

Synchronous Counters Tutorial

To overcome the "ripple through" effects of asynchronous counters, synchronous types are used.

All the flip-flops are clocked simultaneously, and change state at the same time.

Bear in mind, that when J and K are both low, a flip-flop will not change state, upon the arrival of a
clock pulse.

When J and K are both high, then Q will toggle upon the arrival of a clock pulse.

The two AND gates are decoders, which recognise the state of the A, B and C outputs.

J and K of flip-flop 1 are tied high and it will always toggle on a clock pulse.

http://www.hobbyprojects.com/sequential_logic/synchronous_counters.html (1 of 2)11/28/2007 1:27:12 PM

Synchronous Counters Tutorial & Circuits - Sequential Logic - Electronic Hobby Projects

Flip-flop 3 cannot change state unless AND 1 output is high (A and B high).

Flip-flop 4 cannot change state unless A, B and C are all high, making the output of AND 2 high.

At the start, all outputs can be set to zero by means of the CLEAR line.

On the first clock pulse, A goes high, since J and K of flip-flop 1 are both tied high.

The first and second flip-flops are now set to toggle on the next clock pulse.

On the second clock pulse, any flip-flops with J and K high will toggle.

So A goes low and B goes high.

On the third clock pulse, A goes high and B stays high.

This means that J and K of flip-flop 3 are high.

On the fourth clock pulse, A and B go low and C goes high.

Flip-flop 4 can only toggle when A, B and C are all high.

This will be on the eighth clock pulse, when D goes high and A, B and C go low.

<<<< Back to Sequential Logic Tutorial

http://www.hobbyprojects.com/sequential_logic/synchronous_counters.html (2 of 2)11/28/2007 1:27:12 PM