The 74193 is a 4-bit binary counter designed for synchronous operation, meaning all flip-flops are clocked simultaneously. This ensures the outputs change together as directed by the steering logic, eliminating the output counting spikes typically seen in asynchronous (ripple-clock) counters.
The four master-slave flip-flops are triggered by a low-to-high transition of either count (clock) input. The counting direction is determined by which count input is pulsed, while the other count input remains high.
All four counters are fully programmable, allowing each output to be preset to any level by entering the desired data at the inputs when the load input is low. The output will change independently of the count pulses, enabling the counters to function as modulo-N dividers by modifying the count length with the preset inputs.
A clear input is available which, when set to high, forces all outputs to the low level, regardless of the count and load inputs. The clear, count, and load inputs are buffered to reduce the drive requirements of clock drivers, making them suitable for long words.