Logic NOR Gate Tutorial
Logic NOR Gate Tutorial
The Logic NOR Gate gate is a combination of the digital logic OR gate and an inverter or NOT
gate connected together in series
The inclusive NOR (Not-OR) gate has an output that is normally at logic level “1”
and only goes “LOW” to logic level “0” when ANY of its inputs are at logic level “1”.
The Logic NOR Gate is the reverse or “Complementary” form of the inclusive OR
gate we have seen previously.
Logic NOR Gate Equivalent
The logic or Boolean expression given for a logic NOR gate is that for Logical
Multiplication which it performs on the complements of the inputs. Its Boolean
expression is denoted by a plus sign, ( + ) with a line or Overline, ( ‾‾ ) over the
expression to signify the NOT or logical negation of the NOR gate giving us the
Boolean expression of: A+B = Q.
Then we can define the operation of a 2-input digital gate as being:
“If both A and B are NOT true, then Q is true”
Transistor Logic NOR Gate
A simple 2-input logic gate can be constructed using RTL Resistor-transistor switches
connected together as shown below with the inputs connected directly to the transistor
bases. Both transistors must be cut-off “OFF” for an output at Q.
Logic NOR Gates are available using digital circuits to produce the desired logical
function. It is given a symbol whose shape is that of a standard OR gate with a circle,
sometimes called an “inversion bubble” at its output to represent the NOT (Inversion)
gate symbol as shown:
The Digital Logic NOR Gate
2-input Logic NOR Gate
Symbol Truth Table
B A Q
0 0 1
0 1 0
1 0 0
2-input NOR Gate
1 1 0
Boolean Expression Q = A+B Read as A OR B gives NOT Q
3-input NOR Gate
Symbol Truth Table
C B A Q
0 0 0 1
0 0 1 0
0 1 0 0
0 1 1 0
1 0 0 0
3-input NOR Gate
1 0 1 0
1 1 0 0
1 1 1 0
Boolean Expression Q = A+B+C Read as A OR B OR C gives NOT Q
As with the OR function, the NOR function can also have any number of individual
inputs and commercial available IC’s are available in standard 2, 3, or 4 input types. If
additional inputs are required, then the standard NOR gates can be cascaded together
to provide more inputs for example.
A 4-input NOR Function
The Boolean Expression for this 4-input NOR gate will therefore be: Q = A+B+C+D
If the number of inputs required is an odd number of inputs any “unused” inputs can
be held LOW by connecting them directly to ground using suitable “Pull-down”
resistors.
The Logic NOR Gate function is sometimes known as the Pierce Function and is
denoted by a downwards arrow operator as shown, A↓B.
The “Universal” NOR Gate
Like the NAND gate seen in the last section, the NOR gate can also be classed as a
“Universal” type gate. NOR gates can be used to produce any other type of logic gate
function just like the NAND gate and by connecting them together in various
combinations the three basic gate types of AND, OR and NOT function can be formed
using only NOR gates, for example.
Various Logic Gates using only NOR Gates
As well as the three common types above, Exclusive-OR, Exclusive-NOR and
standard NOR gates can also be formed using just individual NOR gates.
Commonly available digital logic NOR gate IC’s include:
TTL Logic NOR Gates
74LS02 Quad 2-input
74LS27 Triple 3-input
74LS260 Dual 5-input
CMOS Logic NOR Gates
CD4001 Quad 2-input
CD4025 Triple 3-input
CD4002 Dual 4-input
7402 Quad 2-input Logic NOR Gate
In the next tutorial about Digital Logic Gates, we will look at the digital
logic Exclusive-OR gate known commonly as the Ex-OR Gate function as used in
both TTL and CMOS logic circuits as well as its Boolean Algebra definition and truth
tables.
