Shift register explanation (parallel in - serial out)

Question

The task is to implement a 4-bit shift register with parallel input and serial output using JK flip-flops and standard logic gates. The solution is below:

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This is what happens on the output:

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I don't understand what the SHIFT/LOAD is. Can you please explain what happens in this register if we want to input the number 1010?

Answer 1

According to the schematic, SHIFT/LOAD represents mode.
If pin SHIFT/LOAD is set to

• logic 1 the SR will move it's values. (Q0 will shift in Q1, Q1 in Q2, Q2 in Q3, Q3 in O3)
• logic 0 the SR will read values from pins (D1=Q1,D2=Q2,D3=Q3, Q0/D0 does not depend on SHIFT/LOAD pin)

If we want to input 1010 in the shift register, we will need to use one of two methods.

Serial way:

1. Set SHIFT/LOAD to 0 (t=1)
2. Set D0 to 0 (t=1)
3. SHIFT/LOAD = 1 (Q0 goes in Q1) (t=2)
4. Set D0 to 1 (in the following clock cycle, Q1 goes in Q2 and Q0 into Q1) (t=2)
5. D0=0 (Q2 in Q3, Q1 in Q2, Q0 in Q1) (t=3)
6. D0=1 (Q3 in O3, Q2 in Q3, Q1 in Q2, Q0 into Q1) (t=4)

Parallel way:

1. Set SHIFT/LOAD = 1 (t=1)
2. Set D0=1, D1=0, D2=1, D3=0. (t=2)
3. SHIFT/LOAD = 1 (t=3)
4. 1010 will be the output of the O3, but in opposite order 0101 (t=7~8)

• A6SE: But why do we need D1, D2 and D3 if all bits are input through D0. It should be a parallel input. I'm sorry if I'm mistaken, I started learning shift registers today.
• Triak: You are not mistaken, there are 2 ways of entering data in this schematic.
• A6SE: So, we can input all bits at once: D0=1, D1=0, D2=1, D3=0 and then change SHIFT/LOAD to 1 and keep it like this till all bits are shifted through Q3?
• Triak: Yes we can, but the circuit will get in the value from D0 in the other blank places shifted out. Until all bits are shifted through O3.

Answer 2

I don't understand what this SHIFT/LOAD is.

Each register has a 2-to-1 multiplexer in front of what is effectively its D input. This multiplexer determines whether the input is

• the output of the previous register (thus implementing the SHIFT function)
• the parallel input (thus implementing the parallel LOAD function)

(For the first register this would be the same thing, so to save pins & logic area this register has only one input.)

• A6SE: Would SHIFT/LOAD (0 for load, 1 for shift) represent the selection inputs of a multiplexer then, and the information inputs the output of a previous flip-flop and the new input.
• Wouter van Ooijen: I think you say the same as I explained, but due to your use of English I am not fully sure.
• A6SE: Yes, sorry, I'm not a native speaker. I think I understand now. Thanks.