Flip flop & Latch: Digital Circuit Twins

Flip-flops and latches are closely related as both are sequential logic elements used to store one bit of data — but they differ mainly in how and when they change their output.

A flip-flop is a bistable device, meaning it has two stable states: 0 and 1. It can be used to store a single bit of data and maintains its output state until a control signal causes it to change.

Key Characteristics of a Latch:

• Edge Triggering: Most flip-flops change state on the rising or falling edge of a clock signal, not during the level.
• Uses of Flip-Flops:
  • Registers
  • Counters
  • Memory storage elements
  • Finite State Machines (FSMs)
  • Data synchronization

Flip-Flop

A latch is a basic memory device in digital electronics used to store one bit of data, similar to a flip-flop, but with a key difference: latches are level-triggered, while flip-flops are edge-triggered.

Key Characteristics of a Latch:

• Level-sensitive: Responds to input changes as long as the enable signal is active (not just on clock edges).
• Use of Latch: Used for basic storage in simpler circuits or when asynchronous control is needed.