Difference Between Latch and Flip Flop

Hello fellows, I hope you all are doing great. In today’s tutorial, we will have a look at Difference Between Latch and Flip Flop. The latches and flip-flops are called basic elements of electronic networks. latch varies its output according to a given input signal when it is enabled. While in flip flop the output varies according to the conjunction input with the clock signal. In simple words, the clock signal is working as a control signal to show the output according to variations in the input.

As we know that memory chips, logic circuits, and microprocessors are digital ICs that store and send information in the shape of bits. So these are called basic building blocks of electronic networks. Due to this latch and flip flop are known as derived series circuitry which works for the storage of information. In today’s post, we will have a detailed look at both latch and flip flops and compare them to find their differences. So let’s get started with Difference Between Latch and Flip Flop.

Difference Between Latch and Flip Flop

Latch

• Its working principle depends on the level triggering.
• It is constructed with the logic gates.

• Its working depends on the applied inputs, applying input, and given output value in binary numbers.
• When it is enabled show sensitivity for an applied signal.
• There is less power required to operate it.
• Its operating speed is high.
• Most common types of Latches are S-R, J-K, T and D.
• It can not be used as register.
• It need less place for operation.
• there is no need of a clock signal for its operation.
• Its circuit analysis is complicated.
• Its robustness is low.

Flip Flop

• Its working operation depends on the edge-triggering technique.
• It is constructed with clocks.
• It can not be used as register.
• It circuit analysis is easy.
• Its operation depends on the applying input, applying inputs, and obtained analog output with the pulses of the clock.
• It needs a large operating area.
• It required a clock signal.
• It required large power for operation than a latch.
• Its operation speed is low.
• It performed synchronous operations.
• The types of flip flops are S-R, J-K, T and D.

Types of Flip Flops

Flip-Flop Type	Characteristics
SR Flip-Flop	Has two inputs: Set and Reset
D Flip-Flop	Has a single input: Data (D)
JK Flip-Flop	Has two inputs: J and K, with toggle functionality
T Flip-Flop	Has a single input: Toggle (T), also called a “T” or “toggle” flip-flop
Master-Slave Flip-Flop	Consists of two gated SR flip-flops, with one serving as the “master” and the other as the “slave”

What is Latch

• The latches are series logic circuitry which is constructed with the use of logic gates and used for storage of information in the form of binary numbers.
• This module is level triggered so functions only when it is enabled.

• It also called a bistable multi-vibrator since it has 2 stable states.
• Its operation is that when enabling pin out is active then variation in the input, and output varied.
• In simple word the variation in input stored data also varied.
• In the below figure you can see the S-R latch logic circuit.

• In this configuration when enable signal is on the variation in input changes the stored binary information. Due to this it is known as level sensitive.

What is Flip Flop

• Flip flops are known as series logic circuitry since their current output depends on the applied input, applying input, and obtained output.
• But contrary to the latch most important role of in the operation of flip-flop is a clock.
• Therefore, for flip-flop when input varied from one level to another then the stored bits varied only when the clock is changed from one level to another.
• In below figure you can see the S-R flip flop.
• So in simple words, flip-flop varies the output with respect to input but with the change in the clock signal.

• Therefore clock signal is the control signal in this case and therefore the output of flip flop take some time.

SR flip flop vs JK flip-flop

SR Flip-Flop	JK Flip-Flop
It has two inputs set and reset	Its two inputs are J and K
it has the ability to implement through the use of  NOR or NAND gates	It is implemented with AND gates and NOT gates
Active high inputs: S and R are one for set and reset of flip flop	Active high inputs: J and K have one value for the set and reset flip-flop
Active low inputs: S and R  are zero for retaining the current state	Active low inputs: J and K are zero for retaining current conditions
It can be used for the creation of other flip flops like D and T types of flip flop	It is used for the creation of D and T flip flops
Its output is not consistent so not used for circuits where both inputs are active at same time	Useful in circuits when both inputs are active at the same time because the output switches between states

Latch vs Flip-Flop

Latches	Flip-Flops
Latches are level-sensitive	Flip-flops are edge-triggered
Latches are asynchronous devices	Flip-flops are synchronous devices
Latches can be transparent or opaque	Flip-flops are always opaque
Latches can have one or two stable states	Flip-flops have two stable states: 0 and 1
Latches are used for small data storage	Flip-flops are used for counters, data registers, and state machines
Latches are simpler and consume less power	Flip-flops are more complex and consume more power

That is a detailed post about the Difference Between a Latch and Flip Flop if you have any questions ask in the comments. Thanks for reading.