Counter

Counter is a sequential circuit. A digital circuit which is used for a counting pulses is known
counter. Counter is the widest application of flip-flops. It is a group of flip-flops with a clock
signal applied. Counters are of two types.

1. Asynchronous or ripple counters.

2. Synchronous counters.

Asynchronous and synchronous counter also divided into following types

1. Up Counter
2. Down Counter
3. Up-Down Counter
4. Mod Counter
Steps for designing counter

1. Definition
2. Number of counting state
3. Number bit equal to number flip flop
4. Type of flip flop
5. Flip flop connection
6. Timing diagram
7. Truth table
8. State diagram
9. Logic operation
10. Application of counter

1. Asynchronous or ripple counters

Definition – It is a Sequential Circuit in which we count bit in the sequence of up or down or

up down and in this type of counter input is common and output of first flip is connected as a
clock of second flip flop and output of second flip flop connected as a clock of third flip flop
vice versa .
Type of Asynchronous Counter
1. Asynchronous Up Counter
2. Asynchronous Down Counter
3. Asynchronous Up - Down Counter
1. Asynchronous 3 bit Up Counter
Step- 1 Definition It is a sequential circuit in which we count sequence in the up direction like
0, 1, 2, --------------n. in this type counter input of all flip flop is common and output of first flip
flop is connected as a clock of second flip flop and output of second flip flop is connected as a
clock of third flip flop so this type of counter is also called ripple counter
Step-2 Number Counting state 0, 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Step-3 Number of bit = Number of flip flop =3
Step-4 Type of Flip Flop = J K flip flop
Step-5 Flip Flop connection
Step-6 Timing Diagram

Step-7 Truth Table

Clock Number Q2 Q1 Q0 Counting

0 0 0 0 0

1 0 0 1 1

2 0 1 0 2

3 0 1 1 3

4 1 0 0 4

5 1 0 1 5

6 1 1 0 6

7 1 1 1 7

Step-8 State Diagram