Experiment 4: Sequential Circuits

Objectives
-To become familiar with the input/output characteristics of several types of standard flip-flop devices
and the conversion among them.

References

1. Donald P.Leach: Experimental in Digital Principles, 3rd Edition

2. Malvino/Leach: Digital Principles and Applications
3. Bartee: Digital Computer Fundamentals, 6th Edition

Component
1. 1-74LS76 Dual JK Flip Flop
2. 1-74LS193 4 bit UP-DOWN counter
3. 1-74LS32 Quad-two input OR TTL IC
4. 1-74LS86 exclusive OR (EX-OR) TTL IC

Introduction
A. Flip Flops
Logic circuit whose outputs depend upon circuit inputs as well as previous values of circuit outputs
described as their present states are known as sequential logic circuits. A sequential system can be
defined in terms of its inputs and present state. That is, the next state of the sequential system can be
determined from these two quantities. The (clocked) RS, D, JK and T flip-flops are characterized by
the following state tables.

The “?” in the RS flip-flop state table (refer to table 1) means that when R = 1 and S = 1 then the next
state is not determined explicitly.

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 B. Counters
A counter is a circuit consisting of a number of Flip Flop and gates working together to count the
number of clock pulses applied to its input. Such counters are used in digital clocks, frequency counters,
digital voltmeters, digital computers, and numerous other applications. There are numerous types of
counters, and we cannot look at theme in this experiment. The basic binary counter is probably the
simplest to construct and form the basis for more advanced types of counters. In this experiment, we
look at some of the counter circuits found most often and give you an opportunity to connect and
observe them.
Ripple Counter (Asynchronous)
A ripple counter is a serial counter. The clock input is applied to only the first of the series of the Flip
Flop. Clock pulses for the other Flip Flop come from the preceding Flip Flop.Thus, the clock pulse
―ripple‖ through the circuit in a series fashion. Such circuit is also called asynchronous since the only
pulse required for the operation is the clock pulse. The JK Flip Flop have the J and K inputs both tied
high, which allows them to toggle with each input pulse. Figure below shows a 4-bit ripple counter.

Synchronous Counters
The synchronous counter has the limitation of the time lag in triggering all the Flip Flop. To cure this
problem, parallel counters can be used. The logic diagram for a 3-bit parallel counter is shown in figure
below. Note that all CLK inputs are tied directly to input clock. They are wired in parallel. Note that
also the use of the AND gate at the output of Flip Flop 2 which will either hold Flip Flop 3 (AND=0),
or toggle Flip Flop 3 (AND=1).

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UP DOWN IC Counter
The 74193 The 74193 is a synchronous up-down 4-bit binary counter. It has a master reset (CLR), and
it can be reset to any desired count with the parallel load inputs. Basically, it functions like any binary
counter, except that is has two clock inputs, one for UP counting, and the other for DOWN counting.
The logic symbol for the 74193 is shown in figure below (examine the data sheet). LOAD is a control
input to load data into pins A, B, C and D.

Pin CLR is the master reset, and it is normally held below (a high level on CLR will reset all FF). CO
and BO are outputs to be used to drive the following 74193’s and we shall simply leave them open. The
clock inputs are UP and DOWN. Placing the clock on UP will cause the counter to count UP and placing
the clock on DOWN will cause the counter to count DOWN. Note that the clock should be connected
to either UP or DOWN, but not both, and the unused inputs should be held HIGH. The outputs of the
counter are QA, QB, QC and QD.

C. Shift Registers

A flip-flop is a sequential device able to store one binary bit of information. More general sequential
device, constructed by interconnecting a few flip-flops, can process one or more bits of information and
are known as REGISTERS and COUNTERS. A REGISTER is a memory device used for storing and
manipulating data registers (found by the thousand in digital computers) may be classified according to
how their stored information is entered or removed. A SERIAL register is one in which the data is
entered or removed one bit at a time and a PARALLEL register accepts or transfers all bits of data
simultaneously. Serial input – parallel output networks as well as the inverse are also available.

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 Procedure
Flip-Flop
1. Using the 74LS76 dual JK flip flop, determine its logical operation. The circuit diagram is shown in
figure below. Pay attention to the change in state of the device as the clock signal is rising or falling.
Fill in the timing diagram below. Assume when t=0, Y=0.

2. Wire the circuit in the above figure to perform as T-Flip Flop. Validate the result using the timing
diagram below. Assume when t=0, Q=0.

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Counter
1. Use the 74LS193 counter to implement a modulo 16 counter.

2. Make these connections to the counter

• Pin 15,1,10 and 9 (Pre-set data inputs) - Open
• Pins 12 and 13 (CO and BO) - Open
• Pins 3,2,6 and 7 (outputs) - output LED’s
• Pin 11 (LOAD) - +Vcc
• Pin 16 (+Vcc) - +Vcc
• Pin 14 (CLR) - GND
• Pin 8 (GND) – GND

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3. For the count-up mode, connect pin 4 (DOWN) to +Vcc, and apply the clock to pin 5(UP). Record
carefully the 4 output waveforms with respect to the clock.

4. For the count-down mode, connect pin 5(UP) to +Vcc, and apply the clock to pin 4(DOWN). Record
the resulting output waveforms.

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 Datasheet

74LS76 Dual JK Flip Flop

74LS193 4 bit UP-DOWN counter

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