What is a ripple counter in electronics?

A ripple counter is fundamentally characterized by two or more flip-flops connected in a series configuration where each flip-flop's output serves as the clock input for the succeeding flip-flop. This configuration causes the flip-flops to toggle sequentially in response to input pulses. When the first flip-flop toggles, it can trigger the second one, resulting in an output that reflects a binary counting sequence. This behavior leads to the name "ripple counter," as the change in state ripples through each flip-flop in turn.

This sequential toggling creates a binary count which can be observed in binary form from the outputs of the connected flip-flops. Ripple counters are commonly used in digital circuits for counting applications and frequency division.

Other options do not define a ripple counter accurately; an oscillator generates oscillating signals, a voltage regulator stabilizes output voltage, and a measurement device quantifies physical quantities. These functions are fundamentally different from the counting operation of a ripple counter.