In the up counter the 4 bit binary sequence starts from 0000 and increments up to 1111.
1.) In the first clock pulse, the outputs of all the flip flops will be at 0000.
2.)In the second clock pulse, as inputs of J and k are connected to the logic high, output of JK flip flop(FF0) change its state .Thus the output of the first flip-flop(FF0) changes its state for every clock pulse . The LSB changes its state alternatively. Thus producing -0001
3.) In the third clock pulse next flip flop (FF1) will receive its J K inputs i.e (logic high) and it changes its state. At this state FF0 will change its state to 0. And thus input on the FF1 is 0.Hence output is -0010
4.) Similarly, in the fourth clock pulse FF1 will not change its state as its inputs are in low state, it remains in its previous state. Though it produces the output to FF2, it will not change its state due to the presence of AND gate. FF0 will again toggle its output to logic high state. Thus Output is 0011.
5.) In the fifth clock pulse, FF2 receives the inputs and changes its state. While, FF0 will have low logic on its output and FF1 will also be low state producing 0100.
This process continuous up to 1111.Working can be explained in the below table. The above mentioned working of synchronous counter can be clearly given in the below table.
The Above table shows the outputs of 4 flip flops Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4.The first flip-flop toggles on every edge triggered pulse .While the second one triggers only if its inputs are high at a given clock pulse. The third flip-flop toggles if the two outputs Q1 and Q2 are high. Similarly, Q4 will toggle if all the three Q1,Q2,Q3 are high.