Updated: Dec 9, 2025 | Source: 2023-2027 Question Pool | Topic: G7B
G7B06G7B

What is a shift register?

Deep Dive: G7B06

The correct answer is A: A clocked array of circuits that passes data in steps along the array. What a shift register is a clocked array of circuits that passes data in steps along the array. Shift registers store and shift data bits sequentially with each clock pulse. For amateur radio operators, this is important for digital circuits. Understanding this helps when working with digital systems.

Why Other Answers Are Wrong

Option B: Incorrect. Shift registers aren't arrays of operational amplifiers for tri-state arithmetic - that's not what shift registers do. Op-amps and tri-state aren't related to shift registers. Option C: Incorrect. Shift registers aren't digital mixers - mixers combine signals, shift registers shift data. Different functions. Option D: Incorrect. Shift registers aren't analog mixers - they're digital circuits, not analog. Analog mixers are different.

Exam Tip

Shift register = clocked array that passes data in steps. Think 'S'hift 'R'egister = 'S'equentially 'R'egisters data. Clocked array of circuits that passes data in steps along the array with each clock pulse. Not op-amps, not mixers - just data shifting.

Memory Aid

Shift register = clocked array that passes data in steps. Think 'S'hift 'R'egister = 'S'equentially 'R'egisters. Clocked array of circuits that passes data in steps along the array. Used for serial data handling.

Real-World Example

A shift register: Data bits are loaded and then shifted through the register with each clock pulse. Each bit moves one position per clock cycle. Shift registers are used for serial-to-parallel conversion, data storage, and other digital functions. They're clocked arrays that pass data in steps.

Source & Coverage

Question Pool: 2023-2027 Question Pool

Subelement: G7B

Reference: 2023-2027 Question Pool · G7 - Practical Circuits

Key Concepts

Shift register Clocked array Data shifting Digital circuits

Verified Content

Question from the official FCC General Class pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators and mapped to the G7B topic.