Blog: Explain S-R Latch? what do you mean by bistable devices?

Explain S-R Latch? what do you mean by bistable devices?

A bistable multivibrator has two stable states, as indicated by the prefix bi in its name. Typically, one state is referred to as set and the other as reset. The simplest bistable device, therefore, is known as a set-reset, or S-R, latch.

The Q and not-Q outputs are supposed to be in opposite states. I say "supposed to" because making both the S and R inputs equal to 1 results in both Q and not-Q being 0. For this reason, having both S and R equal to 1 is called an invalid or illegal state for the S-R multivibrator. Otherwise, making S=1 and R=0 "sets" the multivibrator so that Q=1 and not-Q=0. Conversely, making R=1 and S=0 "resets" the multivibrator in the opposite state. When S and R are both equal to 0, the multivibrator's outputs "latch" in their prior states.

By definition, a condition of Q=1 and not-Q=0 is set. A condition of Q=0 and not-Q=1 is reset. These terms are universal in describing the output states of any multivibrator circuit. So A bistable multivibrator is one with two stable output states. In a bistable multivibrator, the condition of Q=1 and not-Q=0 is defined as set. A condition of Q=0 and not-Q=1 is conversely defined as reset. If Q and not-Q happen to be forced to the same state (both 0 or both 1), that state is referred to as invalid. In an S-R latch, activation of the S input sets the circuit, while activation of the R input resets the circuit. If both S and R inputs are activated simultaneously, the circuit will be in an invalid condition. A race condition is a state in a sequential system where two mutually-exclusive events are simultaneously initiated by a single cause.