Flip-flop circuits

The present era, the era of digital devices mainly concerned about storage technology. Storage of data and processing of data are the two main functions that to be attended in digital technology. Binary counting devices require digital devices with two stable states. These devices are capable of undergoing a change from one state to another by the application of a trigger pulse to one of its inputs. A flip-flop is an ideal circuit with two stable states. It is capable of storing a signal like a ‘memory’ until new signal is applied to the circuit. Different types of flip-flops exist in the market. They are Set-Reset (SR) flip-flop, JK master slave flip-flop and D-flip-flop. SR flip-flops have two inputs and two outputs. Either NOR gates or NAND gates are used for the construction of SR flip-flop. An emitter-coupled bistable multivibrator can be used as an SR flip-flop. Master slave principle is used in JK master slave flip-flops. The main application of JK master slave flip-flops are in complex counters. Only one input is provided in D-flip-flops and they are widely used in shift registers and sequential logic circuits.

Embedded computer system

Embedded computer system is a device which consists of a programmable computer. Examples are fax machines built using a microprocessor. A microprocessor is a single chip CPU (central processing unit). Automobile industry is using microprocessors to control the engine. Microcontrollers were designed later which includes memory and input/output peripherals. For computation-intensive applications, RISC microprocessors are used which 32-bit microprocessors are offering superlative performance. Embedded microprocessors are extensively used in digital television. An antilock brake system (ABS) which reduces skidding of vehicles was developed by embedded computer technology by BMW which is known as BMW 850i. Here an automatic stability control system arbitrates the engine. In an embedded computer system, complex algorithms required. This requires sophisticated user interfaces like global positioning system. Embedded computer system performs in real time and assumes multirate behavior. While designing an embedded computer system, manufacturer should take special care in lowering power consumption and manufacturing cost.