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Codiode/Problems/Sequential Logic

Multi Bit Synchronization Failure

MediumLogic CircuitTiming Diagram

Synchronizing a multi-bit bus with individual 2-flop synchronizers per bit causes fatal synchronization failures when bits resolve on different clock cycles.

Nine signals are shown: CLK (clock, period 2), four asynchronous inputs IN_3, IN_2, IN_1, IN_0, and four synchronized outputs OUT_3, OUT_2, OUT_1, OUT_0. The initial output state is 0011.

Trace all four output signals across the 12 time steps to reveal the intermediate garbage state.

Constraints

  • Each output is driven by a standard 2-flop synchronizer triggered on the LOW-to-HIGH transition of CLK.
  • The input bus transitions from 0011 to 1100 exactly at the rising edge at time step 3.
  • Due to routing skew and differing metastability resolution, bits 3 and 1 capture their new values on the rising edge at time step 3.
  • Bits 2 and 0 capture their old values at time step 3 and do not capture their new values until the rising edge at time step 5.

Topics

metastabilitycdcclock-domain-crossingsynchronization

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Place the gates, wire them up and watch the signals settle. Every submission runs on the same simulation engine that grades it.

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