A logic circuit consisting of flip-flops configured to count through ten distinct states (0 through 9) before returning to zero. Unlike a standard 4-bit binary counter that naturally counts to 15, it forces a reset after the ninth pulse. These are fundamental building blocks for digital clocks, frequency dividers, and numeric displays.
Heard on the job
Cascade three decade counters and you have the logic to drive a 999-count digital display.
Insider tip
The classic 4017 IC is a popular decade counter that outputs a high signal sequentially on ten different pins, making it a bench favorite for simple LED chaser circuits.
Also heard as
- BCD counter