Level 15: System Pulse
Open the level →Where it fits in the machine →
Task
Goal: learn the concept of clocking: press ManualClock and watch the counter on the LED8.
This is a demonstration level — the circuit is ALREADY built and locked. You cannot add or remove elements.
The main idea: the clock tick is the computer's discrete time: on each edge the data moves exactly one register forward, and the counter visibly adds one. Manual clocking makes visible what the finished machine does millions of times per second.
Path to this level
The competencies this level develops and their formation levels.
Related Materials
- Register8 — counter register
- Manual Clock — manual clock generator
- LED8 — LED bar
Solution for self-check
Try building the circuit yourself first. The solution below is a way to check yourself if you're stuck or have already solved it.
What you should get: each press of "▶ Tick" is one full clock pulse (0→1→0): the counter adds 1, the LED8 lights switch.
On the canvas, a complete counter: ManualClock (the "▶ Tick" button), BusConstant set to 1, ADDER8, Register8 and LED8. The circuit works like this: Register8 holds a number → its output feeds ADDER8 → the adder adds the constant 1 → the result is written back to the register. LED8 shows the current value.
- Press the "▶ Tick" button on the ManualClock component.
- Each press is one full clock pulse (0→1→0).
- The counter increments by 1, the LEDs update.
- After 5 presses, click "Test" (F9).
The clock tick is the computer's discrete time: on each edge the data moves exactly one register forward. Manual clocking makes visible what the finished machine does millions of times per second.
Check yourself
Why does the counter add exactly 1 per press?
One press is one clock pulse, and the register stores only on the edge: per edge the data moves exactly one register forward.