Question

How does a flip-flop store a binary state with clocked inputs?

Answer 1

A flip-flop is a fundamental building block of digital circuits and is used to store a binary state (0 or 1). It can maintain this state until a specific triggering event, usually a clock signal, causes it to change its state. The clock signal is used to synchronize the operations of the flip-flop with the rest of the circuit.

There are different types of flip-flops, but the most commonly used ones are the D-type (Data or Delay flip-flop), and the JK flip-flop. Both of these types have clocked inputs and can store a binary state.

D-type Flip-Flop:
The D-type flip-flop has two inputs: D (Data) and CLK (Clock), and one output Q.

D (Data) input: This is the input that carries the binary information you want to store. When the clock signal (CLK) transitions from one state to another (e.g., rising edge or falling edge, depending on the flip-flop's type), the value present at the D input gets latched into the flip-flop.

CLK (Clock) input: The clock signal is used to control when the D input is read and latched. The flip-flop's output (Q) changes only at the clock edge (rising or falling edge) when the CLK signal changes.

The basic operation of a D-type flip-flop can be summarized as follows:

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If CLK changes (e.g., rising edge):
- The value at the D input is latched and stored in the flip-flop.
- The output Q takes on the value of the D input after the clock edge.


2. JK Flip-Flop:
The JK flip-flop has three inputs: J (Jack), K (Kilby), and CLK (Clock), and one output Q.

J and K inputs: These inputs are used to determine how the flip-flop changes its state based on the current state and the clock signal. The behavior of a JK flip-flop can be summarized as follows:

If J = 0 and K = 0, the output remains unchanged (Hold state).
If J = 0 and K = 1, the output is reset to 0 (Clear state).
If J = 1 and K = 0, the output is set to 1 (Set state).
If J = 1 and K = 1, the output toggles (changes to the opposite state).

CLK (Clock) input: As with the D-type flip-flop, the clock signal controls when the inputs (J and K) are read and the output (Q) changes.

The JK flip-flop is widely used and can be used to implement various types of sequential circuits.

In summary, both D-type and JK flip-flops store binary states with clocked inputs. The clock signal is used to control the timing of reading inputs and updating the output, allowing the flip-flop to synchronize with other elements in a digital circuit.