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Sequence detector 011 using JK flip-flops

Short answer

Mealy machine with states A (reset), B (0 received), C (01 received). Using JK flip-flops, assignment A=00, B=01, C=10. Excitation equations: J1 = Q0 X, K1 = 1, J0 = X', K0 = X. Output Z = Q1 X.

Design a sequential machine that has a single input 'x' and single output 'z'. The machine is required to give high output when it detects the serial sequence of 011 message. Use JK flip-flops only.

A Mealy machine is used (output depends on present state and input), so fewer states are needed. Overlapping sequences are allowed: after a detection the machine keeps the useful tail of the input. One input X and one output Z; Z = 1 in the clock period in which the last bit of 011 arrives. Flip-flops: J-K.

States (what has been received so far):

  • A: reset / no useful bits (a 1 that does not follow "0", or a completed 011)
  • B: "0" received
  • C: "01" received

State diagram (Mealy)

Arc label = input/output

 A --0/0--> B --1/0--> C --1/1--> A

 A --1/0--> A  (self loop)
 B --0/0--> B  (self loop)
 C --0/0--> B

State table

Present stateNext, X=0Next, X=1Z (X=0)Z (X=1)
ABA00
BBC00
CBA01

State assignment

A = 00, B = 01, C = 10 (flip-flop outputs Q1Q0Q_1 Q_0). The unused code 11 is taken as don't care (x) in all K-maps. The flip-flops are cleared to 00 at power-on (start state). Checking the final equations, from 11 the machine goes to a valid state on the next clock (X=0 goes to B, X=1 goes to A), so it is self-starting.

Excitation table of J-K flip-flop

QQ+JK
000x
011x
10x1
11x0

Transition and excitation table

Q1 Q0XQ1+ Q0+J1K1J0K0Z
0 000 10x1x0
0 010 00x0x0
0 100 10xx00
0 111 01xx10
1 000 1x11x0
1 010 0x10x1

K-maps and simplified equations

J1          X=0  X=1
Q1Q0=00       0    0
Q1Q0=01       0    1
Q1Q0=11       x    x
Q1Q0=10       x    x

K1          X=0  X=1
Q1Q0=00       x    x
Q1Q0=01       x    x
Q1Q0=11       x    x
Q1Q0=10       1    1

J0          X=0  X=1
Q1Q0=00       1    0
Q1Q0=01       x    x
Q1Q0=11       x    x
Q1Q0=10       1    0

K0          X=0  X=1
Q1Q0=00       x    x
Q1Q0=01       0    1
Q1Q0=11       x    x
Q1Q0=10       x    x

Z           X=0  X=1
Q1Q0=00       0    0
Q1Q0=01       0    0
Q1Q0=11       x    x
Q1Q0=10       0    1
J1=Q0XK1=1J0=X′K0=XZ=Q1X\begin{aligned} J_1 &= Q_0 X \\ K_1 &= 1 \\ J_0 &= X' \\ K_0 &= X \\ Z &= Q_1 X \end{aligned}

Logic diagram

           +-------------+     +----------+
 X  ------>| next-state  |---->| FF1, FF0 |--+--> Q1, Q0
    +----->| logic       |     |  (CLK)   |  |
    |      +-------------+     +----------+  |
    +-------------------<--------------------+
    |      +-------------+
    +----->| output      |----> Z
 X  ------>| logic       |
           +-------------+

Gates needed (two J-K flip-flops with a common clock; complements are taken from the Q′Q' outputs or NOT gates):

  • J1J_1: a 2-input AND for Q0XQ_0 X.
  • K1K_1: tied to logic 1.
  • J0J_0: direct line X′X'.
  • K0K_0: direct line XX.
  • ZZ: a 2-input AND for Q1XQ_1 X.

Check: input X = 0011011 gives Z = 0001001; Z = 1 at bits 4 and 7 ("high output" when 011 ends).

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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