Circuits and Systems

(Flip-flop)

Submitted to:
Prof.Belmekki

Submitted by:
Khames Raouassi Rihab

2023/2024
MODULE:
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction............................................................................................................................ 2
project overview .......................................................................................................................
purpose of study ...................................................................................................................
Flip-flop .................................................................................................................................. 3
definition ...................................................................................................................................
role in computer architecture ...............................................................................................
JK flip-flop ............................................................................................................................... 4
overcoming the S-R flip-flop’s disadvantage .............................................................................
functionality and behavior ...................................................................................................
graphic symbolic ...............................................................................................................
Working principle ................................................................................................................... 5
role of feedback ........................................................................................................................
role of the clock signal ..........................................................................................................
Practical application ................................................................................................................ 6
use in digital electronic .............................................................................................................
example: 3-bit binary counter ..............................................................................................

1
Introduction
This project explores the fascinating world of circuits within the broader
context of computer architecture. The specific circuit chosen for this
study is (Flip-flop). This circuit plays a crucial role in the functioning of
modern computing systems and offers a wealth of learning
opportunities.
In the following pages, we will delve into the details of this circuit, its
design, its role in computer architecture, and its impact on the
performance and efficiency of computing systems. We hope this
exploration will provide valuable insights into the intricate and
fascinating world of computer architecture.

2
FLIP-FLOP

Definition
A flip-flop is a circuit that has two stable states and can be used to store
state information. This makes it a basic storage element in sequential
logic. Flip-flops can store a single bit (binary digit) of data, one of its two
states represents a “one” and the other represents a “zero”1.

History
The first electronic latch, an early form of the flip-flop,
was invented in 1918 by British physicists William Eccles
and F. W. Jordan. It was initially called the Eccles–
Jordan trigger circuit and consisted of two active
elements (vacuum tubes). The design was used in the
1943 British Colossus codebreaking computer and such
circuits and their transistorized versions were common in computers
even after the introduction of integrated circuits2.

JK flip-flop

The JK flip flop is used to overcome the S-R flip flop's disadvantage of
having undefined states. The SR flip flop is modified to create the JK
flip flop. The J-K flip flop is created by enhancing the S-R flip flop. The
SR flip-flop produces an error when S and R inputs are both set to
true. The JK flip-flop, however, produces the desired results.
If both of the inputs to a J-K flip flop are different, the output Y will
take the value of J at the following clock edge. The output toggles
from one state to the other if both of its inputs are high at the clock
edge, else nothing happens. In the digital system, the JK Flip Flop
functions as a Set or Reset Flip Flop
1
“Flip-Flop Definition”, Digital Electronics: A Practical Approach, 2023
2
“History of Flip-Flop”, The Art of Electronics, 2023
3
 JK flip-flop graphic symbolic
J and K inputs: These are the main
Set pin J Q Output
inputs of the flip-flop where J
stands for Set and K stands for
K Q’ Inverted
Reset. Reset pin K Q’ output

CLK (Clock): This is the control

changes during the positive edge (0 to 1 transition) of the clock signal.

• If J=0 and K=0, when a clock pulse is applied, the flip-flop retains its
previous state.
• If J=1 and K=0, the flip-flop is set, i.e., the output Q is 1 and Q’ is 0.
• If J=0 and K=1, the flip-flop is reset, i.e., the output Q is 0 and Q’ is 1.
• If J=1 and K=1, the flip-flop toggles, i.e., if Q was previously 1, it becomes
0 and vice versa.

clk J K Q(t+1)

0 0 Q(t) No change

0 1 0 Reset

1 0 1 Set

1 1 Q’(t) Complement

JK flip-flop truth table3

3
There is also the Characteristic table It provides information on the inputs of the logic circuits, the present state
and the next state of the sequential circuits.
4
 The circuit diagram

Working Principle
A flip-flop operates based on the principle of feedback. It uses logic
gates and a clock signal to control the state change. The clock signal
acts as a timing mechanism, synchronizing the state changes within the
flip-flop. When the clock signal transitions from low to high or high to
low, it triggers the flip-flop to either store or update the data4.

Practical Application
Flip-flops are fundamental building blocks of digital electronic systems
used in computers, communications, and many other types of systems.
They can be used for counting pulses, synchronizing variably-timed
input signals to a reference timing signal, and storing state information
in a finite-state machine. For example, in a digital clock, flip-flops are
used to count the seconds, minutes, and hours5.

4
Circuit Example: Shift Register”, Digital Systems Design Using VHDL, 2023.
5
“Practical Application of Flip-Flop”, Digital Design: Principles and Practices, 2023.
5
 Example of application
I. Decide the number and type of Flip-Flops: For a 3-bit counter, you
need three JK flip-flops.
II. Connect the clock and inputs: Connect the 1.0 Hz generator to the
clock input of each flip-flop. Connect a constant logic ‘1’ to the J and
K inputs of the first flip-flop.
III. Connect the outputs: Connect the Q output of the first flip-flop to
one input of the BCD and one input of the AND gate.
IV. Chain the flip-flops: For the second flip-flop, connect the J and K
inputs to the Q output of the first flip-flop. Connect the Q output of
the second flip-flop to the second line of the BCD and the second
input of the AND gate1.
V. Complete the circuit: Finally, connect the output of the AND gate to
the J and K inputs of the third flip-flop. Connect the Q output of the
third flip-flop to the third line of the BCD.
This configuration will create a 3-bit up counter. Each time the clock
signal transitions from low to high (a rising edge), the counter will
increment by one. The BCD to 7-segment display will show the current
count.
For the truth table, the JK flip-flop will have the following behavior:

clk Q1 Q2 Q3
1 0 0 0
2 0 0 1
3 0 1 0
4 0 1 1
5 1 0 0
6 1 1 0
7 1 1 1

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Down below this is how the circuit will look like :