Project Overview- In this project, using the concepts and skills which we have developed pertaining to asynchronous counters, we were to design a digital circuit which displays the count 00-80. The design that I created has two control inputs, NEXT and RESET, as well as two output displays. The signal NEXT is sent from a push button switch which advances the count on the output display by one. The RESET signal resets the output displays to read 00. Asynchronous counters such as these are typically used at deli counters in your local produce store.
MultiSim Circuit- The first step in constructing the asynchronous counter was to design a
model of said counter using the CDS (Circuit Design Software) MultiSim.
MultiSim Circuit- The first step in constructing the asynchronous counter was to design a
model of said counter using the CDS (Circuit Design Software) MultiSim.
PLD Circuit- Succeeding that step, we were to recreate the design using the a PLD (Programmable Logic Design) circuit. As opposed to the AOI design, which has a fixed function, the PLD has an undefined function at the time of it's manufacturing and must be programmed before completing the desired function. Along with this, PLD also uses different pin assignments than it's counterpart. A common misconception for some can be the difference between input and output connections. An input is something that can be controlled, set to either 0 or 1. The input controls what the output will be, which will either be 0,1, or instead toggle. This is very similar to the if-then concept which is applied in other programming processes, such as robotics.
Bill of Materials-
- Computer
- CDS (Circuit Design Software)
- PLD Software
- Copper wires
- Seven segment displays x2
- myDAQ Power Supply
- C-mod S6
- Transfer Cords
Final Project Conclusions- After designing and converting my design in the CDS and PLD softwares, the concluding step of this project was to download the circuit onto the breadboard. During the process of completing this project, I learned that there are differences between SSI and MSI circuits, some which may seem subtle to the uninformed eye. One difference is that MSI circuits can only count upwards, while SSI circuits have the ability to count backwards in addition to forwards. Another limitation of the MSI circuit is that it is incapable of starting at any number other than 0.
Something that is to be noted while observing the counter is that sometimes the numbers would "hiccup". This is caused when the rising and falling actions of the flip-flop experience a delay, leading to a binary overlap. This is known as the ripple effect.
Many of my peers in Digital Electronics harbored circuits which were much more organized than that of my own. This can be attributed to the fact that I was more concerned with making certain my project would work and making changes while doing so as opposed to the aesthetic aspects of it. Had I attained more time to complete this project, I most likely would have gone back and fixed this. Another observation of mine was that some of my peers' circuits were longer and more complex than mine. While I do not know for certain as to why this is, my guessing would be that they had not reviewed their circuit to see if there was any way to simplify the logic used post-completion.
Something that is to be noted while observing the counter is that sometimes the numbers would "hiccup". This is caused when the rising and falling actions of the flip-flop experience a delay, leading to a binary overlap. This is known as the ripple effect.
Many of my peers in Digital Electronics harbored circuits which were much more organized than that of my own. This can be attributed to the fact that I was more concerned with making certain my project would work and making changes while doing so as opposed to the aesthetic aspects of it. Had I attained more time to complete this project, I most likely would have gone back and fixed this. Another observation of mine was that some of my peers' circuits were longer and more complex than mine. While I do not know for certain as to why this is, my guessing would be that they had not reviewed their circuit to see if there was any way to simplify the logic used post-completion.