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D Flip-Flop

D FLIP-FLOP (Data/Delay Flip-Flop)


✨ Introduction:

  • D Flip-Flop is a memory element used in digital electronics.
  • It stores and transfers one bit of data.
  • It is a clock-controlled circuit — meaning it acts only when a clock signal tells it to.

👉 Remember:

“D” stands for Data or Delay.


🔔 Basic Concept:

  • It captures the value on D (input) whenever the clock signal is active.
  • Once captured, the value is held constant until the next clock edge.

🧠 Simple Way to Understand:

Think of a D Flip-Flop like a “photographer” 📸 who only takes a photo when someone claps (Clock pulse).
The “photo” (data) is saved until the next clap.


🖋️ Symbol of D Flip-Flop:

     +-----+
D -->| |--> Q (Output)
CLK ->| DFF |
+-----+

Sometimes, you also see Q' (Q-bar), which is the inverted output.


📑 Truth Table:

Clock EdgeD InputQ Output (Next State)
Rising Edge ↑00
Rising Edge ↑11
No EdgeXNo Change

Notes:

  • Rising Edge (↑) = Clock goes from LOW to HIGH.
  • X = Don’t care (can be 0 or 1).

🛠️ Circuit Diagram:

A D Flip-Flop can be built using gates and SR latches internally.

Basic structure:

 D ----+-------------+
| |
[NOT] [AND]---+
| | |
[AND]-----------(OR)--- Q
Clock

Complex internally but works simply from outside!


🧩 Working Principle:

  • When Clock = Active (↑):
    • Q becomes D.
  • When Clock = Inactive:
    • Q stays the same.

👉 Changes in D after clock edge do not affect Q until next clock.


🕒 Timing Diagram:

Imagine how D, CLK, and Q behave over time:

Clock:  __/‾‾\__/‾‾\__/‾‾\__
D : __‾‾__‾‾__‾‾__
Q : ____‾‾____‾‾__
  • On each clock rising edge, Q copies D.
  • Otherwise, Q remains steady.

🎯 Applications of D Flip-Flop:

AreaUse
MemoryBasic storage element
RegistersGroup flip-flops to store multiple bits
CountersCreate binary counters
Frequency DivisionDivide frequency of clock signal
Data SynchronizationAlign different signals

🏆 Features at a Glance:

FeatureDescription
MemoryStores 1 bit of data
TriggerEdge-triggered (mostly rising edge)
InputsD (data), CLK (clock)
OutputsQ (output), sometimes Q’ (complement)
ActionOn clock edge, Q = D

✏️ Real Life Example:

Imagine you are filling an exam form.

  • Once you click submit (clock pulse), the form is saved (Q output).
  • Until you submit again, the system holds the same form (no change).

Similarly, D Flip-Flop saves the data at the moment of the clock.


⚙️ Types of D Flip-Flop:

  • Edge Triggered D Flip-Flop (most common)
  • D Flip-Flop with Reset (clears Q to 0)
  • D Flip-Flop with Preset (sets Q to 1)

📢 Conclusion:

✅ D Flip-Flop is simple but powerful.
✅ It is the building block for many advanced circuits like registers, counters, and memory units.
✅ It synchronizes data with a clock signal.


🎯 Final Key Line:

D Flip-Flop captures Data at the Clock Edge and holds it until the next Clock Edge.