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Once you understand this topic you'll realise why microcontrollers were invented. "WTF!. I'll just use a microcontroller and a look-up table."

• Synchronous means the same clock pulse controls all parts of the system simultaneously.
• This solves the ripple counter problem of momentarily incorrect outputs until the clock pulse has reached every stage of the counter.
• Synchronous counters can "count" in any sequence, not just up or down as with ripple counters.
• Synchronous counters are often called sequence generators as they are not really counting at all.
• A three bit counter could have up to 2³ = 8 output states but perhaps not all these are needed.
• Unused states must be taken into account to prevent the sequence getting stuck on one of the unused states.
• Normally the counter would never hit an unused state but it could, by chance, "power up" in one of them and get stuck.
• The set and reset inputs on the flip flops could remain unused (tied low) or they could be used to force the circuit to power up in the correct state. They could even be used to break out of the normal sequence to the "reset" state.

On the rising edge of the clock pulse, each input D_A, D_B or D_C is copied to Q_A, Q_B or Q_C.
The combinational logic computes the next counter state from the inputs A, B and C (which are the outputs from the latch).
 

A Rather Basic Washing Machine Example

A: Fill
B: Wash
C: Drain

Sequence ...

   C B A 
0: 0 0 1    Fill
1: 0 1 0    Wash
2: 1 1 1    Fill + Wash + Drain (amounts to rinse).
3: 1 0 0    Drain
4: 0 0 0    End

Sequence diagrams are used where the data from the table above are put in a pretty diagram showing just the latch outputs at each stage.

Here is the diagram showing the unused states leading back to the 0,0,0 state. They could lead back to any point on the diagram if that proved useful.

A truth table describing all the states and next-states (the next states are the same as the current states, shifted up one place in the table). The unused states often point to the "stop" or "start" or "end" state. If it does not matter what happens after an unused state, these can be made to point to any step in the table to save circuitry (and cost).

Designing the Da Logic

Da is high if the input C,B,A is 010 or 000 - this circuit detects these and only these conditions

But it might be possible to simplify this circuit using a Karnaugh Map where pairs (or fours) of ones can be grouped. The yellow highlight shows a pair. This shows that C must be zero and it does not matter what value B has. So B does not need to be wired up! Some people with good pattern recognition can stare at the truth table and spot this pattern and get it right without Karnaugh maps. For others, it's safer to do "colouring in" to spot the patterns!

Here is the new simplified circuit ...

Designing the Db Logic

Db is high if the current state is 001 or 010.

There are no pairs or fours so this can't be simplified.

Designing the Dc Logic

Dc is high if C,B,A is 010 or 111

There are no pairs or fours so this can't be simplified.

Programmable Logic Arrays

If you were going to build a single washing machine, it would be cheaper to build this controller from D Type Flip Flops and other simple logic gates. If your industry was planning a run of a million wahsing machines, you'd be better off using a programmable logic array. This consists of many NAND (or NOR) gates that can be interconnected by programming the chip. This allows a single low cost PLA to be used instead of a bunch of separate chips. You might only save 50p per controller but that's half a million quid saved!