What is a key operational characteristic of an asynchronous counter?

An asynchronous counter is designed such that each flip-flop within the counter is triggered by the previous one in the sequence, rather than being triggered by a common clock signal. This sequential triggering creates a ripple effect, where the output of one flip-flop serves as the clock input for the next flip-flop in the series.

This characteristic distinguishes asynchronous counters from synchronous counters, where all flip-flops are triggered simultaneously by a common clock signal. The operation of asynchronous counters allows them to be simpler in design but can lead to propagation delays, as each flip-flop must wait for the previous one to change state before it can respond. Understanding this sequential triggering is fundamental when working with digital circuits and timing designs, as it directly impacts the reliability and performance of digital counting systems.