A decade counter is a type of digital counter circuit that is designed to count from 0 to 9 in binary or BCD (Binary-Coded Decimal) form. It is also known as a BCD counter or a decimal counter. Each output of the counter represents one digit of the BCD code, and as the counter counts, it cycles through the digits from 0 to 9. After reaching 9, it resets back to 0 and continues counting again.
A decade counter typically has four outputs (or stages), and it is constructed using flip-flops, such as D flip-flops or JK flip-flops, in a specific configuration. Each flip-flop represents one digit of the BCD code.
The maximum count value of a decade counter is 9. It cannot count beyond 9 because it is designed to represent BCD digits, which only range from 0 to 9. Once it reaches 9, it rolls over to 0 and continues the count. For example, the sequence of outputs for a decade counter would be:
0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 0 → 1 → ...
Decade counters are commonly used in digital electronics for various applications, including frequency division, time measurement, and sequential control circuits. They are straightforward and useful for counting in applications that require counting within the decimal range.