Autonomous, Synchronous Counters Constructed Only of J-K-Flip-Flops

The report describes research into some properties of autonomous, synchronous counters constructed with only the simplest form of J-K Flip-Flop. The research revolved around a system with a special-purpose digital machine and a general-purpose computer. The special-purpose machine searched through all the possible counters constructed of five or fewer J-K Flip-Flops for all counters with a period equal to that specified by the input to the systems. The descriptions of the counters found were transmitted by the special-purpose machine to the computer. Software analyzed this output data for various attributes, such as counters that cycle the same way independent of their starting-state. Useful information for designers of digital machines, several proofs, and some insight into counters constructed only of J-K Flip-Flops resulted from this analysis.
Sponsored in part by DARPA.