synchronous counter

views updated

synchronous counter A counter consisting of an interconnected series of flip-flops in which all the flip-flop outputs change state at the same instant, normally on application of a pulse at the counter input. These counters have advantages in speed over asynchronous ripple counters, in which the output must propagate along the chain of flip-flops after the application of a pulse at the count input. See also cascadable counter, shift counter.

More From encyclopedia.com