Digital Electronics

Sequential Logic Circuits; Flip-Flops; Shift Registers

C-CAT

Sequential Logic Circuits

Definition: Output depends on present input AND past outputs (has memory).

14.1 Types

TypeClockSpeedDesign
AsynchronousNo global clock; input pulsesFasterHarder
SynchronousGlobal clockSlowerEasier

14.2 Latch vs Flip-Flop

| --- | | Latch | Flip-Flop | | --- | --- | --- | | Clock | Level-sensitive | Edge-sensitive | | Output change | Any time (enabled) | Only on clock edge | | Type | Unclocked | Clocked |

14.3 Triggering Types

  • Positive level: Output changes during HIGH clock
  • Negative level: Output changes during LOW clock
  • Positive edge: Changes on rising edge ↑
  • Negative edge: Changes on falling edge ↓

14.4 Timing Parameters

ParameterMeaning
Setup time (tsu)Data must be stable BEFORE clock edge
Hold time (th)Data must remain stable AFTER clock edge
Propagation delay (tp)Time from input change to output change

Flip-Flops

15.1 SR Flip-Flop

CLKSRQ(n+1)State
↑00QnNo change
↑010Reset
↑101Set
↑11?Invalid (race)

Application: Switch debouncing Problem: S=R=1 is forbidden

15.2 D Flip-Flop (Delay / Data)

  • D input connected to S; D̄ to R
  • Q(n+1) = D — follows input

Applications: Data registers, shift registers, frequency dividers

CLKDQ(n+1)
↑00
↑11

15.3 JK Flip-Flop

CLKJKQ(n+1)
↑00Qn
↑010
↑101
↑11Q̄n (toggle)

Characteristic equation: Q(n+1) = JQ' + K'Q

Applications: Counters, shift registers, frequency division

Race-around: When J=K=1 and clock is HIGH too long — solved by Master-Slave JK

15.4 T Flip-Flop (Toggle)

CLKTQ(n+1)
↑0Qn
↑1Q̄n

Application: Frequency division (divide by 2)

15.5 Master-Slave JK

  • Two JK FFs in series
  • Master: active on clock HIGH
  • Slave: active on clock LOW

Eliminates race-around condition

Shift Registers

A register = group of flip-flops storing n bits.

16.1 Types

TypeInputOutputAbbreviation
Serial In Serial Out1 bit serial1 bit serialSISO
Serial In Parallel Out1 bit serialn bits parallelSIPO
Parallel In Serial Outn bits parallel1 bit serialPISO
Parallel In Parallel Outn bits paralleln bits parallelPIPO

16.2 Shift Directions

  • Shift right: Input from right, bits move left
  • Shift left: Input from left, bits move right
  • Bidirectional: Controlled by direction signal

16.3 SISO Operation Example

Load serial data 1001 (MSB first) into 4-bit register:

ClockRegister Content
Initial0000
1st ↑1000
2nd ↑0100
3rd ↑0010
4th ↑1001

16.4 Applications

  • Temporary data storage
  • Delay elements
  • Serial communication
  • Universal shift register (bidirectional + parallel load)

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