Digital counters: a device makes your work easier

Digital counters are circuits and hardware components that are used to count the number of pulses. The flip-flop technology is used to have a count of the signals and thus in Digital counters mathematical applications and binary methods are used for the calculations.

The Need

The counting is done in binary methods mostly. The Digital counters are first set in the normal initial state and then the count modes are set. N number of modes contain N no of flip-flops. Such mathematical incrimination and discrimination can only be done by Digital Counters.

Types of Counters

There are two types of Counters that exist: Synchronous Counters and Asynchronous Counters.

Synchronous Counters

They use clock signals to change the transitions and for calculations. To change the state values the clock inputs are required. The signals are triggered by same signals. The designing part is pretty simple as all the flip-flops are well connected and driven by same signals. The previous state change is used to analyze the present change in state count. The operation is quite fast and logical binary gates are required.

Asynchronous Counters

They are just opposite of what are synchronous ones. They do not use clock signals to change the transitions for calculations. In such counters, the first flip-flop is connected to the external signals and the later ones work according to the previous signals given as an output. Their operation is quite slow in comparison to synchronized ones.

Example of Usage

In case of a Washing Machine and Microwave when the temperature is set up, the counter calculates the temperature set up and the timings. Once the previously set temperature is set; the counter stops. As the value gets to become zero, it activates the On/Off phenomenon. Simultaneous flip-flops may occur or toggling or they might be according to the outputs received from the previous one. The Outputs are always at zero and it increases by one and thus high-low transfer takes place.

Registers

Flip flops usually store a single bit of data, that is, 0 or 1 while registers store multiple data. When flip-flops are arranged in a certain manner they are known as registers. Shift Registers are the ones in which signals are sent within the flip-flops. Asynchronies ones transfer in the way of asynchronous triggering. The ones that are triggered by clock pulse are known as synchronous register. Several other Registers are available like Shift Left Register, Shift Right Register, Shift around Register, Universal Shift Registers. Data transfer may occur either in series or in parallel. Frequency Dividers are also present to divide the input frequencies according to the requirements. Digital Signal outputs are received by making the input frequency half.

Applications

Digital Counters are the needs of the generation and used in a lot of digital electronic devices. They are used in Digital Clocks and for changing from Analog to Digital Signals. It is also used for calculating times in case of ovens and microwaves.

Nehmat Sandhu is the Contant Writer for Countronics. Countronics is the manufacturer and supplier of Scientific instruments like pH Meter and Controller, Humidity Meter and Controller, Data logger, Digital Counter and timer etc.