Final answer:
A 1-bit register requires a clock signal to instruct it when to store new data or maintain its current value. The clock serves as a timing reference that coordinates the data storage on specific clock signal edges.
Step-by-step explanation:
When implementing a 1-bit register, a key component that you need is a control signal known as the clock signal (or clock input). The clock signal tells the register when to store new data and when to maintain its current value. In digital circuits, the clock signal serves as a form of temporal reference and synchronization for various components, including registers, counters, and memory elements.
Registers are typically edge-triggered, meaning they will perform an action (like storing new data) on either the rising or falling edge of the clock signal. The consistent intervals of the clock ensure that data is captured and stored at predictable times, allowing for coordinated operation amongst different parts of the digital system. Without an accurate and stable clock signal, the reliable operation of registers and the broader digital system cannot be ensured.