I'm trying to understand how JK and D flip flops work. I am generally very airy when it comes to these topics and was hoping someone could explain in layman's terms how these two circuits work.
It is my understanding that a JK flip flop takes two inputs, j and k, returns two outputs, q and not q, and a(n) (inverted?) clock signal. I read here, http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/threads/jk-and-d-flip-flops-which-one-to-choose.32024/, that it has four functions: SET, CLEAR, HOLD, or TOGGLE.
Likewise, D flip flops take one input, d, returns two outputs, q and not q, and inputs a clock signal. They only have the two functions SET and CLEAR.
What does it mean when a flip flop performs a function like SET, CLEAR, HOLD, or TOGGLE? Does this alter output? Current state? How? Why?
When attempting to follow a circuit that implements both, I start with a clock signal that goes into each flip flop. From there, I really have no clue how to trace what's going on.
As an example, the clock signal first enters JK flipflop, then D flipflop. The Q for the JK flipflop returns an output, and the not Q is then input as D in the D flipflop. The Q for D flipflop then becomes an output, and the not Q gets input into the J and the K (I'm assuming with a new clock signal, which essentially restarts the whole process) of the JK flipflop.
I would like trace the output and current state for each time the process repeats. Ultimately, I am trying to determine the "transitions" between each state. I see multiple examples on other websites, but all use different variables representing different things and it throws me off huge.
Any help explaining these complicated buggers is appreciated!
