IC 4060 – 14-Stage Binary Ripple Counter/Divider with Oscillator

Overview

The IC 4060 is a CMOS integrated circuit that functions as a 14-stage binary ripple counter/divider and also includes a built-in oscillator. It is commonly used in timing, frequency division, and clock generation applications. The IC is versatile and can be configured to operate as a counter or frequency divider with precise time delays and clock pulses.

Features

• 14-Stage Ripple Counter: The IC has a 14-stage binary counter which can divide an input frequency by factors ranging from 2 to 16,384.
• Integrated Oscillator: The IC includes an oscillator that can be connected using external resistors and capacitors, allowing it to generate clock pulses without external components.
• Wide Supply Voltage: Operates between 3V and 15V, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
• Low Power Consumption: The CMOS technology ensures minimal power usage.
• Reset Pin: Allows the counter to be reset at any time, restarting the counting sequence.
• Oscillator Enable Pin: Controls whether the oscillator is running or stopped.
• Package Type: Available in DIP (Dual In-line Package) and SOP (Small Outline Package).

Pin Configuration

• Pin 1-3, 7-9, 13-15: Counter output pins (Q1 to Q13), which provide divided clock signals.
• Pin 4: Reset pin (active high) to reset the counter to zero.
• Pin 5, 6: External resistor pins for the oscillator configuration.
• Pin 10: Oscillator input pin.
• Pin 11: Ground (GND).
• Pin 12: Oscillator enable pin to control the oscillator function.
• Pin 16: Vcc (Power Supply).

Applications

• Time Delays: The IC 4060 is widely used to create precise time delays by dividing the clock signal and using the output for delayed triggering.
• Frequency Division: It is often used to divide the frequency of input signals in various frequency divider circuits.
• Clock Generation: With its built-in oscillator, the IC can be used to generate clock pulses for driving other digital circuits.
• Counters and Timers: Suitable for applications where counting events or generating specific time intervals is required, such as in timers, alarms, or control systems.
• Oscillators: It can be used as a simple oscillator circuit for generating a variety of clock frequencies.

Working Principle

The IC 4060 works by taking an input signal, either from an external clock or its internal oscillator, and dividing it down through its 14-stage ripple counter. The output of each stage provides a clock signal that is a divided-down version of the input, with binary divisions ranging from 2 to 16,384. By selecting different output pins, the user can obtain different frequencies or time intervals.

The internal oscillator can be configured using external resistors and capacitors connected to the designated pins. When the oscillator is enabled, it generates clock pulses that are fed into the ripple counter, providing a time-division output at each stage. The counter can also be reset at any time using the reset pin.

Advantages

• Integrated Oscillator: The inclusion of an oscillator simplifies clock generation, eliminating the need for an external clock source.
• Multiple Output Frequencies: The various counter stages allow for a wide range of divided clock outputs, offering flexibility for different timing and frequency applications.
• Low Power Consumption: Thanks to the CMOS design, the IC 4060 consumes very little power, making it suitable for energy-sensitive applications.
• Wide Operating Voltage: Its broad operating voltage range allows it to be used in diverse applications with different voltage requirements.

The IC 4060 is a highly versatile component with built-in counting and clock generation capabilities. Its low power consumption, integrated oscillator, and multiple counter outputs make it an excellent choice for frequency division, timers, and clock generation applications in digital circuits.

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