Chapter 8: Digital Devices Applications
1. Digital Clock
A block diagram showing the functions to be performed by digital clock is given below:
Figure: Block diagram of Digital Clock
To obtain pulses occurring at a rate of one each second, it is necessary to divide the 60 Hz
power source by 60.
If the resulting 1 Hz waveform is again divided by 60, a one-per-minute waveform is the
result.
Dividing this signal by 60 then provides a one-per-hour waveform.
Figure: Digital Clock
The second divided-by-60 counter produces a value for “seconds” which counts from 00
to 59.
The third divided-by-60 counter produces value for “minutes” which counts from 00 to 59.
The last divided-by-12 counter counts “hour” from 01 to 12.
2. Multiplexing Display
Multiplexing displays are electronic display devices where the entire display is not driven
at one time.
Instead, sub-units of the display are multiplexed, that is, driven one at a time, but the
electronics and the persistence of vision combine to make the viewer believe the entire
display is continuously active.
Multiplexing is accomplished by applying current to each display digit in short, repeated
pulses rather than continuously.
If the pulse repetition rate is sufficiently high, our eye will perceive a steady illumination
without flicker. When DIGIT is high, the transistor if off, and the indicator current is zero.
When DIGIT is low, the transistor is on, and a number is displayed
(a) Multiplexed Display
When DIGIT = HIGH, transistor OFF
When DIGIT= LOW, transistor ON
3. Frequency Counter
A frequency counter is an electronic instrument used to measure the frequency of an input
signal. A frequency counter works by counting the number of pulses in a signal over a specific
period.
Fig: Basic Block diagram of frequency counter
Input conditioning & threshold block processes the incoming signal to ensure it is in a
suitable form for further stages. It converts sine wave to square wave signal.
Accurate timebase/clock provides a precise timing reference to control the gate duration.
The timebase typically uses a crystal oscillator for accuracy.
Decade dividers circuit divides the high-frequency clock signal into lower frequencies,
making it easier to manage and use for gating.
Gate flip-flop generates the gate signal based on the divided clock signal. It toggles the
gate on and off, allowing the input signal to reach the counter only during the active gate
period.
The output of the gate is fed to the counter to count the no.of pulses that occurred from the
input signal.
The display shows the counted frequency value. It can be an LED, LCD, or any other type
of digital display.
4. Time Measurement
By modifying the frequency counter slightly, we can convert it into time measurement. The
block diagram illustrates the fundamental ideas used to construct an instrument that can be
used to measure the period of any periodic waveform.
Figure: Block diagram of Time Measurement Circuit
An unknown input signal whose time period is need to be measured.
Amplifier amplifies the unknown input signal to a suitable level for processing.
Gate flip-flop controls the gating signal for the counter. The flip-flop determines the
duration for which the gate remains open, allowing the signal to pass through. A JK flip-
flop configured to toggle its output state with each clock pulse, enabling precise control of
the gating period.
Clock oscillator generates a stable, high-frequency clock signal .Clock pulses provides a
precise timing reference for the counter.
Divider divides the high-frequency clock signal to produce lower frequency signals for
various timing and control purposes.
Counter counts the number of clock pulses that pass through the COUNT gate during the
enabled period.
