54LS161A/DM54LS161A/DM74LS161A,
54LS163A/DM54LS163A/DM74LS163A
Synchronous 4-Bit Binary Counters
General Description
These synchronous, presettable counters feature an internal
carry look-ahead for application in high-speed counting
designs. The LS161A and LS163A are 4-bit binary counters.
The carry output is decoded by means of a NOR gate, thus
preventing spikes during the normal counting mode of operation.
Synchronous operation is provided by having all flipflops
clocked simultaneously so that the outputs change coincident
with each other when so instructed by the countenable
inputs and internal gating. This mode of operation
eliminates the output counting spikes which are normally
associated with asynchronous (ripple clock) counters. A
buffered clock input triggers the four flip-flops on the rising
(positive-going) edge of the clock input waveform.
These counters are fully programmable; that is, the outputs
may be preset to either level. As presetting is synchronous,
setting up a low level at the load input disables the counter
and causes the outputs to agree with the setup data after
the next clock pulse, regardless of the levels of the enable
input. The clear function for the LS161A is asynchronous;
and a low level at the clear input sets all four of the flip-flop
outputs low, regardless of the levels of clock, load, or enable
inputs. The clear function for the LS163A is synchronous;
and a low level at the clear inputs sets all four of the
flip-flop outputs low after the next clock pulse, regardless of
the levels of the enable inputs. This synchronous clear allows
the count length to be modified easily, as decoding the
maximum count desired can be accomplished with one external
NAND gate. The gate output is connected to the clear
input to synchronously clear the counter to all low outputs.
The carry look-ahead circuitry provides for cascading counters
for n-bit synchronous applications without additional
gating. Instrumental in accomplishing this function are two
count-enable inputs and a ripple carry output.
Both count-enable inputs (P and T) must be high to count,
and input T is fed forward to enable the ripple carry output.
The ripple carry output thus enabled will produce a high-level
output pulse with a duration approximately equal to the
high-level portion of the QA output. This high-level overflow
ripple carry pulse can be used to enable successive cascaded
stages. High-to-low level transitions at the enable P or T
inputs may occur, regardless of the logic level of the clock.
These counters feature a fully independent clock circuit.
Changes made to control inputs (enable P or T or load) that
will modify the operating mode have no effect until clocking
occurs. The function of the counter (whether enabled, disabled,
loading, or counting) will be dictated solely by the
conditions meeting the stable set-up and hold times.