7-stage binary ripple counter with asynchronous reset
The CD74HC4024M is a 7-stage binary ripple counter from the 74HC family, counting up on the negative edge of the clock input. With a 35 MHz count rate, it handles moderate-speed timing and frequency division tasks where a clean ripple-through is acceptable — the internal propagation delay from clock to final stage accumulates across the chain, so the maximum usable frequency at the last output is lower than the 35 MHz input rate. The asynchronous reset clears all seven stages to zero regardless of the clock state — useful for initializing the counter to a known state on power-up or after a system fault. No clock edge is needed to reset, which simplifies the control logic in safety-critical sequencing. The wide range also allows the part to operate from a battery that sags below 3 V, extending runtime in portable instrumentation.