Most flip-flops have both synchronous and asynchronous inputs. Synchronous inputs are those whose effect on the flip-flop output is synchronized with the clock input. R, S, J, K and D inputs are all synchronous inputs. Asynchronous inputs are those that operate independently of the synchronous inputs and the input clock signal. These are in fact override inputs as their status overrides the statusof all synchronous inputs and also the clock input. They force the flip-flop output to go to a predefined state irrespective of the logic status of the synchronous inputs. PRESET and CLEAR inputs are examples of asynchronous inputs. When active, the PRESET and CLEAR inputs place the flip-flop Q output in the ‘1’ and ‘0’ state respectively. Usually, these are active LOW inputs. When it is desired that the flip-flop functions as per the status of its synchronous inputs, the asynchronous inputs are kept in their inactive state. Also, both asynchronous inputs, if available on a given flip-flop, are not made active simultaneously.
