Logic Gates
Objectives
Explain what digital electronics is.
State the five basic logic gates.
State the function of each gate with the aid of truth
tables.
Analyze circuits involving the combinations
of not more than three logic gates.
Discuss the impact of electronic and technology on
society.
Digital Electronics
Five Basic Logic Gates
Not Gate or Inverter
This is the gate that has one input and one output. The output of a
NOT gate is the inverse of the input, hence the name inverter. If the
input is high or 1 the output is low or 0. In fig. 23.8 (b) input 1
corresponds to the switch being closed which forms a short circuit
and no current flow through the lamp hence it stays OFF. However,
when the input is 0 or low the switch opens and current flows
through the lamp and turn it ON.
AND Gate
This gate has two or more inputs and one output. The lamp is ON only
when both inputs are high (1) or both switches are closed, fig. 23.9 (b)
otherwise the lamp is OFF or low (0).
In other words, the output C is High (1) if inputs A and B are High (1)
OR Gate
This gate has two or more inputs and one output (fig. 23.10). The
output is low (0) or the lamp is OFF only when both inputs are low (0)
(corresponds to both switches being open) otherwise the output is high
(1) or the lamp is ON.
NOR Gate (combining an OR gate and a NOT gate)
This gate has two or more inputs and one output. The output is high
(1) or the lamp is ON if and only if all the inputs are low (0). However,
for any other inputs conditions the output is low (0) or the lamp is
OFF. When switch A or B is closed, this forms a short circuit, hence
no current flows to the lamp. This makes the output low.
NAND Gate (combining an AND gate and a NOT gate)
This gate has two or more inputs and one output. The output is low (0)
or the lamp is OFF if and only if all the inputs are high (1). When
switches A and B are closed, this forms a short circuit, hence no
current flows to the lamp. This makes the output low. However, for
any other inputs conditions the output is high (1) or the lamp is ON.
Combining Logic Gates
Although uses for single logic gates can be found, much more can be
accomplished when gates are used in combination. The use of several
gates of one or more types together to perform given functions is
known as combinational logic.
It is more cost-effective for a manufacturer to produce one or two
types of logic gate, usually the NAND and NOR gates, and assemble
these to perform the functions of the other types. This is one area in
which combinational logic is important.
Some examples of the uses of combinational logic are in computers,
calculators, burglar alarm systems, automatic lighting and heating
systems.
Figures 23.13 and 23.14 show how NOT, AND and OR gates are created
from NAND and NOR gates respectively.
Some other examples of the use of combinational logic gates are given
below (fig. 23.16) and (23.17). It is very useful to note that when using
logic gates, there are 2n possible input combinations, where n is the
number of initial inputs.
Practice Questions
Question # 1
Practice Questions
Do questions 3 and 4a & b
Practice Questions
