This synchronous, presettable counter features an internal carry look-ahead for application in high-speed counting designs. The SN74HC163 is a 4-bit binary counter. Synchronous operation is provided by having all flip-flops clocked simultaneously so that the outputs change coincident with each other when instructed by the count-enable (ENP, ENT) inputs and internal gating. This mode of operation eliminates the output counting spikes normally associated with synchronous (ripple-clock) counters. A buffered clock (CLK) input triggers the four flip-flops on the rising (positive-going) edge of the clock waveform.

This counter is fully programmable; that is, it can be preset to any number between 0 and 9 or 15. As presetting is synchronous, setting up a low level at the load input disables the counter and causes the outputs to agree with the setup data after the next clock pulse, regardless of the levels of the enable inputs.