In synchronous update, every gene reads the current state and updates at the same time.

highlighted = computed this step

All genes update at the same time

In synchronous update, every gene reads the current state first, then all genes switch together. No gene gets to see another gene's new value early.

current statenext state\text{current state} \longrightarrow \text{next state}
Toggle state tableEach state maps to its synchronous successor.StateNextType0011cycle0101fixed point1010fixed point1100cycle

Read the current state, then switch

From state 00, both genes are OFF, so both turn ON next, giving 11.

001100 \longrightarrow 11
Toggle state tableEach state maps to its synchronous successor.StateNextType0011cycle0101fixed point1010fixed point1100cycle