IC-Mart Your Trusted Source for Counter Chips

(from leading manufacturers)

Global Manufacturers and Typical Models

1. Texas Instruments (TI)

• Binary Counters:
  • SN74HC161 / 163: 4-bit synchronous binary counters (Industry standard).
  • SN74HC4040: 12-stage ripple-carry binary counter (High capacity).
  • SN74LV4040B: Low-voltage 12-stage counter.
• Decade / BCD Counters:
  • CD4017B: Famous decade counter/divider (Commonly used for LED chasers).
  • SN74HC160 / 162: Synchronous decade counters.
• Up/Down Counters:
  • SN74HC191 / 193: 4-bit synchronous up/down counters.
• Specialized / Dividers:
  • CD4060B: 14-stage binary counter with an internal oscillator (Used for long-delay circuits).

2. Nexperia

• Standard 74 Series:
  • 74HC161GW: High-speed CMOS synchronous 4-bit binary counter.
  • 74HC4017D: Decade counter.
  • 74HC4060D: 14-stage divider/counter.
• Low-Voltage LVC Series:
  • 74LVC161: Optimized for 1.2V to 3.6V systems.
• Mini Logic Series:
  • 74AHC1G42xx: Single-channel multi-stage dividers (e.g., 8-stage, 10-stage) for space-constrained designs.

3. onsemi

• MC14000 Series (CMOS):
  • MC14017B: Decade counter (Supports high voltage up to 18V).
  • MC14040B: 12-bit binary counter.
  • MC14060B: 14-bit counter with oscillator.
• 74HC Series:
  • MC74HC161A: Synchronous 4-bit binary counter.
  • MC74HC4020A: 14-bit binary ripple counter.

4. Toshiba

• TC74 Series:
  • TC74HC161AF: Standard synchronous binary counter.
  • TC74HC4040AF: 12-stage binary counter.
  • TC74VHC161: Very High Speed (VHC) series, ideal for high-frequency clock distribution.

5. STMicroelectronics (ST)

• Automotive / Industrial Grade:
  • M74HC161: Automotive-grade 4-bit synchronous counter.
  • HCF4017: Standard decade counter (HCF is ST’s prefix for the CD4000 series).
  • M74HC4060: Automotive-grade ripple counter.

Leading Chinese Manufacturers and Models

1. Wuxi I-CORE (AiP)

I-CORE is a leader in China’s logic IC industry. Their product line is extensive, covering nearly all universal counter models. Their products typically use the AiP prefix.

• Typical Models:
  • Binary/Ripple Counters: AiP74HC4040 (12-stage), AiP74HC4020 (14-stage), AiP74HC4060 (with oscillator).
  • Decade Counters: AiP74HC4017 (The most common decade divider), AiP4017 (Wide voltage CMOS version).
  • Synchronous Counters: AiP74HC161 / AiP74HC163.
  • Up/Down Counters: AiP74HC191.

2. HGSEMI (HG)

HGSEMI is widely used in industrial control and consumer electronics, known for its high cost-performance ratio.

• Typical Models:
  • Decade Counters: HG74HC4017, HG4017.
  • Divider/Ripple Counters: HG74HC4060, HG74HC4040.
  • 4-bit Binary: HG74HC161.

3. Nexperia (China-controlled)

While originally part of Philips, Nexperia is now owned by China’s Wingtech Technology. It remains a global leader and a top choice for high-end domestic clients.

• Typical Models:
  • Full 74HC/LVC Series: 74HC161, 74HC4017, 74HCT4060.
  • Automotive Grade: Models with the -Q100 suffix (e.g., 74HC4017D-Q100) are widely used in domestic automotive electronics.

4. JSCJ

Born from the discrete devices division of JCET, JSCJ is rapidly expanding its footprint in universal logic devices.

• Typical Models: 74HC161, 74HC4017, 74HC595 (Though 595 is a shift register, it is often paired with counters).

5. Silan Microelectronics

Silan operates its own wafer fabs. Their logic ICs are highly stable and common in white goods and power control.

• Typical Models:
  • CMOS Series: SC4017 (P2P replacement for CD4017).
  • TTL/CMOS Compatible: SC74HC161, SC74HC4060.

P2P Replacement Guide

For Pin-to-Pin (P2P) cross-referencing, use the table below:

Function Description	International Model (TI/onsemi)	Recommended Domestic Model (Prefix)
Decade Counter	CD4017 / 74HC4017	AiP74HC4017 / HG74HC4017
14-bit Binary Ripple (with Oscillator)	CD4060 / 74HC4060	AiP74HC4060 / SC74HC4060
4-bit Synchronous Binary	74HC161 / 74LS161	AiP74HC161 / HG74HC161
12-bit Binary Ripple	74HC4040	AiP74HC4040 / JSCJ74HC4040
Synchronous Up/Down Binary	74HC191	AiP74HC191

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Core Logic and Typical Applications

Core Logic

Counter ICs are typically built from cascaded Flip-flops. The internal binary state increments or decrements each time the input clock receives a rising or falling edge.

• Outputs: Can be binary code (e.g., 0000, 0001), BCD code, or a high-level signal on a specific pin (like the CD4017 sequential output).

Application Scenarios

• Frequency Division: The most common use. If a source is too fast (e.g., 12MHz) and you need a 1Hz signal for a second hand, the counter outputs one pulse for every N input pulses. Examples: Digital clocks, carrier wave generators.
• Timing and Delays: By counting pulses at a fixed frequency, the IC calculates elapsed time accurately. Examples: Auto-shutoff in industrial gear, microwave timers, street light timers.
• Measurement and Monitoring: Used in industrial automation to count physical events. Examples: Flow meters, tachometers (RPM), and stroke counters for concrete pumps.
• Sequential Control: Triggers loads in a specific order. Examples: LED chasers, stepper motor drivers, and power sequencing.
• ADC Support: In dual-slope ADCs, counters measure the time it takes for a ramp voltage to reach a reference value to convert analog signals to digital.

Classification of Counter ICs

1. By Function (Basic Function)

Determines the cycle period and output format.

Category	Description	Typical Models	Main Manufacturers
Binary Counter	Increments by 2n; ideal for frequency division and address generation.	74HC4040, 74LS193, CD4024B	TI, Nexperia, onsemi
Decade Counter	Counts to 10 (0−9 cycle); used for display drivers.	74HC4017, CD4017B, 74LS160	TI, Toshiba, Nexperia
BCD Counter	Uses 4-bit binary to represent one decimal digit.	CD4510B, 74HC162, SN74LS168	TI, onsemi, Renesas
Divide-by-N	Provides programmable or fixed-ratio division for clock generation.	CD4059A, CD4018B	TI, onsemi

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2. By Timing Structure

Determines speed and signal stability.

Category	Description	Typical Models	Main Manufacturers
Asynchronous (Ripple)	Cascaded triggers; simple circuit but has propagation delays.	CD4060B, 74HC4020, CD4040B	TI, Nexperia, onsemi
Synchronous	All bits trigger simultaneously; no cumulative delay; very fast.	74HC161, 74LS191, CD40161B	TI, Toshiba, ST

3. By Counting Sequence

Determines the counting direction.

Category	Description	Typical Models	Main Manufacturers
Up Counter	Supports addition only.	74HC393, CD4020B	TI, Nexperia, Toshiba
Up/Down Counter	Direction is switchable via a control pin.	74LS191, CD40193B, SN74HC191	TI, onsemi, Renesas

4. By Logic Family

Determines voltage range and power consumption.

Category	Description	Typical Models	Main Manufacturers
CMOS (4000 Series)	Wide voltage (3V−18V); ultra-low static power.	CD4017B, CD4060B	TI, onsemi
High-Speed CMOS (74HC/HCT)	Standard for 5V systems; balances speed and power.	74HC161, 74HC4040	Nexperia, TI, Toshiba
Low-Voltage CMOS (LVC/ALVC)	Optimized for modern 1.8V/3.3V low-power systems.	74LVC161, 74LVC1G80	TI, Nexperia