L O G I C G A T E S
A logic gate performs alogical operationon one or more logic inputs andproduces a single
logic output. The logic normally performed isBoolean logic and is most commonly found
indigital circuits. Logic gates are primarilyimplementedelectronicallyusingdiodesortransistors,
but can also beconstructed using electromagneticrelays,fluidics,optics,molecules, or
evenmechanicalelements.In electronic logic, a logic level is represented by a voltage or
current,(which depends on the type of electronic logic in use). Each logic gaterequires power so
that it can source and sink currents to achieve thecorrect output voltage. In logic circuit diagrams
the power is not shown, butin a full electronic schematic, power connections are required.A truth
table is a table that describes the behaviour of a logic gate. It liststhe value of the output for every
possible combination of the inputs and canbe used to simplify the number of logic gates and
level of nesting in anelectronic circuit. In general the truth table does not lead to an
efficientimplementation; a minimization procedure, using Karnaugh maps, the Quine–
McCluskey algorithm or a heuristic algorithm is required for reducing thecircuit complexity
Logic gates Symbols and Schematic Diagram
Digital systems are said to be constructed by using logic gates. These gates are the AND, OR,
NOT, NAND, NOR, EXOR and EXNOR gates. The basic operations are described below with
the aid of truth tables.
AND gate
The AND gate is an electronic circuit that gives a high output (1) only if all its inputs are
high. A dot (.) is used to show the AND operation i.e. A.B. Bear in mind that this dot is
sometimes omitted i.e. AB
OR gate
The OR gate is an electronic circuit that gives a high output (1) if one or more of its inputs are
high. A plus (+) is used to show the OR operation.
NOT gate
The NOT gate is an electronic circuit that produces an inverted version of the input at its
output. It is also known as an inverter. If the input variable is A, the inverted output is known as
NOT A. This is also shown as A', or A with a bar over the top, as shown at the outputs. The
diagrams below show two ways that the NAND logic gate can be configured to produce a NOT
gate. It can also be done using NOR logic gates in the same way.
NAND gate
This is a NOT-AND gate which is equal to an AND gate followed by a NOT gate. The outputs
of all NAND gates are high if any of the inputs are low. The symbol is an AND gate with a small
circle on the output. The small circle represents inversion.
NOR gate
This is a NOT-OR gate which is equal to an OR gate followed by a NOT gate. The outputs of all
NOR gates are low if any of the inputs are high.
The symbol is an OR gate with a small circle on the output. The small circle represents
inversion.
EXOR gate
The 'Exclusive-OR' gate is a circuit which will give a high output if either, but not both, of its
two inputs are high. An encircled plus sign ( ) is used to show the EOR operation.
EXNOR gate
The 'Exclusive-NOR' gate circuit does the opposite to the EOR gate. It will give a low output
if either, but not both, of its two inputs are high. The symbol is an EXOR gate with a small circle
on the output. The small circle represents inversion.
Mathematical equation
Boolean Algebra
o A Boolean Variable takes the value of either 0 (False) or 1 (True).
o Symbols are used to represent Boolean variables e.g. A, B, C, X, Y, Z
o There are three basic logic operations AND, OR, NOT
o The Boolean Operators are • + ‾
A + B means A OR B
A • B means A AND B
A means NOT A
o Nodes in a circuit are represented by Boolean Variables
The most practical use of Boolean algebra is to simplify Boolean expressions which means
less logic gates are used to implement the combinational logic circuit.
Logic Gates
o Logic gates are electronic circuits that implement the basic functions of Boolean
Algebra. There is a symbol for each gate
Truth Table
The Truth Table shows the values of the circuit output for all input values.
Equivalent Circuits
Fig 1 is an example of four circuits that are equivalent because their truth tables are identical.
