These synchronous, presettable, 8-bit up/down counters feature internal-carry look-ahead circuitry for cascading in high-speed counting applications. Synchronous operation is provided by having all flip-flops clocked simultaneously so that the outputs change coincidentally with each other when so instructed by the count-enable (,) inputs and internal gating. This mode of operation eliminates the output counting spikes normally associated with asynchronous (ripple-clock) counters. A buffered clock (CLK) input triggers the eight flip-flops on the rising (positive-going) edge of the clock waveform.

These counters are fully programmable; they may be preset to any number between 0 and 255. The load-input circuitry allows parallel loading of the cascaded counters. Because loading is synchronous, selecting the load mode disables the counter and causes the outputs to agree with the data inputs after the next clock pulse.

The carry look-ahead circuitry provides for cascading counters for n-bit synchronous applications without additional gating. Two count-enable (and) inputs and a ripple-carry () output are instrumental in accomplishing this function. Bothandmust be low to count. The direction of the count is determined by the levels of the select (S0, S1) inputs as shown in the function table.is fed forward to enable.thus enabled produces a low-level pulse while the count is zero (all outputs low) counting down or 255 counting up (all outputs high). This low-level overflow-carry pulse can be used to enable successive cascaded stages. Transitions atandare allowed regardless of the level of CLK. All inputs are diode clamped to minimize transmission-line effects, thereby simplifying system design.Read more