Home/Counters/Bidirectional Counters

Bidirectional Counters
As well as counting up from zero and increasing or incrementing to some preset value, it is sometimes necessary to count down from
a predetermined value to zero allowing us to produce an output that activates when the zero count or some other pre-set value is reached.

This type of counter is normally referred to as a Down Counter, (CTD). In a binary or BCD down counter, the count decreases by one for

each external clock pulse from some preset value. Special dual purpose ICs such as the TTL 74LS193 or CMOS CD4510 are 4-bit binary Up
or Down counters which have an additional input pin to select either the up or down count mode.

4-bit Count Down Counter

In the 4-bit counter above the output of each ip-op changes state on the falling edge (1-to-0 transition) of the CLK input which is

triggered by the Q output of the previous ip-op, rather than by the Q output as in the up counter conguration. As a result, each ipop will change state when the previous one changes from 0 to 1 at its output, instead of changing from 1 to 0.

Bidirectional Counter
Both Synchronous and Asynchronous counters are capable of counting Up or counting Down, but their is another more Universal

type of counter that can count in both directions either Up or Down depending on the state of their input control pin and these are known
as Bidirectional Counters.

Bidirectional counters, also known as Up/Down counters, are capable of counting in either direction through any given count sequence
and they can be reversed at any point within their count sequence by using an additional control input as shown below.

Synchronous 3-bit Up/Down Counter


The circuit above is of a simple 3-bit Up/Down synchronous counter using JK ip-ops congured to operate as toggle or T-type ip-

ops giving a maximum count of zero (000) to seven (111) and back to zero again. Then the 3-Bit counter advances upward in sequence
(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7) or downwards in reverse sequence (7,6,5,4,3,2,1,0).

Generally most bidirectional counter chips can be made to change their count direction either up or down at any point within their

counting sequence. This is achieved by using an additional input pin which determines the direction of the count, either Up or Down and
the timing diagram gives an example of the counters operation as this Up/Down input changes state.

Nowadays, both up and down counters are incorporated into single IC that is fully programmable to count in both an Up and a Down
direction from any preset value producing a complete Bidirectional Counter chip. Common chips available are the 74HC190 4-bit BCD

decade Up/Down counter, the 74F569 is a fully synchronous Up/Down binary counter and the CMOS 4029 4-bit Synchronous Up/Down
counter.

19 Comments

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Navjyot
Use a refreanvce books???
Posted on October 19th 2016 | 3:45 pm

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Obii
I need hep on how to implement a hex up counter using d ip op
Posted on July 01st 2016 | 10:57 pm

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Pavan
Can Anybody explain me in the timing diagram when the UP/Down signal is made Logic low for the second time, why is it still performing up count? After
001 it is incrementing to 010, 011 so on. But it should start decrementing when the UP/Down signal is asserted low.
Posted on April 24th 2016 | 11:01 pm

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Boyan
Do you know how to modify the schematic to make it 22 to 0
Posted on April 18th 2016 | 5:32 pm

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karthika
I need full information about 4 bit up down counter circuit diagram, truth table, explanation
Posted on March 31st 2016 | 2:33 pm

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A
Ashok
Refer digital electronics polytechnic book
Posted on August 22nd 2016 | 4:07 pm

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Simon Sadler
Simon in Spain here.Anyone have a very simple up down counter for 7 of 5mm leds .poss with zero reset.N/O switches up down and reset.Thanks.
Posted on March 29th 2016 | 7:22 am

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deutsch1329
I dont really understand how the an up-down counter could be made using a fourbit sequence of D-ip ops. Ive gured the switch for clear or reset,
however a toggle switch connected from the clock output isnt doing anything. Does anyone know how I would created this up-down switch? Ive tried
using 04s (NOT gates). But they dont seem to work either.
Posted on January 14th 2016 | 2:51 pm

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olive
Couldnt you use T-Flip-Flops?
Posted on December 10th 2015 | 6:08 am

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olive
Got it

It only works due to the clk

Id need D

Posted on December 10th 2015 | 6:14 am

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Unknown
Well to be honest the explanation is very good and it is easy for slow learners as well.

I would like to appreciate this work and encourage to do more such good work to hepl people in studying kepp this good work up!
Posted on November 16th 2015 | 6:38 am

niko
how to design 0 to 5 and 5 to zero counter ?? plzz help
Posted on June 24th 2014 | 5:05 pm

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Posted on June 24th 2014 | 5:05 pm

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