Binary Counter

What Does Binary Counter Mean?

A binary counter is a hardware circuit that is made out of a series of flip-flops. The output of one flip-flop is sent to the input of the next flip-flop in the series. A binary counter can be either asynchronous or synchronous, depending on how the flip-flops are connected together.

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Techopedia Explains Binary Counter

A binary counter connects several D-type flip-flop circuits together. The flip-flops change state with every clock pulse, which yields a binary number that can be used for digital clocks or timers. One common design is asychronous, with the output of one flip-flop is connected to the next. When one cell is toggled, the next one down is toggled. For every two toggles, the next cell in the line is toggled. This arrangement is also referred to as a “ripple through” counter.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…