Understanding Logic Circuit Mechanisms

Logic gates are fundamental components in digital electronics, and different

technologies are used to implement them. Below is an explanation of how each of the
listed logic circuit mechanisms works.
Logic gates execute basic logical functions that are fundamental to digital
circuits. These basic gates are the basis of more complex digital devices and systems
that enable our computers, smartphones, and other digital devices to function

Diode Logic OR (DL-OR) gate

The OR Gate produces a logic 1 (HIGH) output, even if one of its input is in the logic 1
(HIGH) state. The OR Gate gives a logic 0 (LOW) output, only when each one of its
inputs is in the logic 0 (LOW) state. Therefore, the OR gate is also referred to as any or
all gate. It may also be called as an inclusive OR gate because it includes the state
where both the inputs can be present.

OR Operation

The OR operation is represented by +. The Boolean expression for the output

of OR gate is given below,
Y=A+B+C+⋅⋅⋅
Where, Y is the output of the OR Gate, A, B, C are the input variables to the OR
gate.
The operation of a logic gate is explained in terms of a truth table that represents
the logical relationship between inputs and output.

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  Truth Table of OR Gate
The following table is the truth table of a three input OR Gate.

Input Output
A B C Y = A+B+C+…….
0 0 0 0
0 0 1 1
0 1 0 1
0 1 1 1
1 0 0 1
1 0 1 1
1 1 0 1
1 1 1 1

Here, the inputs A and B to the gates may be either 0 V or +5 V. The operation of
the OR Gate using diode-resistor logic is explained as follows

 When A = 0 V and B = 0 V, both the diodes D1 and D2 are off. Hence, there is
no current flow through the resistor R, so there is no voltage drop across the
resistor R. Consequently, the output voltage Y = 0 V.
 When A = +5 V and B = 0 V, then the diode D1 is on and the diode D2 is off.
Thus, the output voltage Y = 5 V.
 When A = 0 V and B = +5 V, then the diode D1 is off and the diode D2 is on.
Therefore, the output voltage Y = 5 V.
 When A = +5 V and B = +5 V, then both diodes D1 and D2 are on. Therefore,
the output voltage Y = 5 V.
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 Note − In practice, there is a small voltage drop (about 0.7 V) takes place in diode
itself. Hence, the output voltage Y = 5 0.7 = 4.3 V. This output voltage is regarded
as logic 1.

Diode Logic AND (DL-AND) gate

The Diode Logic AND (DL-AND) gate also relies on diodes but works differently. It
produces a HIGH output only when all inputs are HIGH. If any input is LOW, at least
one diode is forward biased, pulling the output LOW. Although DL-AND gates are easy
to construct, they suffer from voltage losses, making them less efficient compared to
other logic implementations.

AND Operation

For explanation: A.B = X or AB = X and it is read as “ A and B is equal to X”. The result
of logic operations can be best demonstrated by a truth table.
 Truth Table of AND Gate
The truth table for the AND operation is shown below.

Input Output
A B X
0 0 0
0 1 0
1 0 0
1 1 1

The Diode Logic (DL)-AND gate is implemented by connecting open switches in

series. Since diodes are two terminal devices, they cannot be driven by grounded
input voltage sources when connected in series. Thus to overcome this problem,

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the diodes are connected in parallel as in the case of OR diode gates with
modification. To obtain AND logic instead of OR function the input and output
logical variables are inverted or reversed. The circuit of DL AND gate is shown in
figure below. In a diode AND gate, if both the input voltages are high then the
output voltage is high. If both the inputs are low and one is low then the output
voltage is low.

Consider the circuit for AND logic gate, the input to the diodes is connected in
opposite direction. The input voltage flows across the resistor thus creating the
current to flow across the anode of the diodes and then to its cathode. The output
is taken across the resistor R and ground terminal. This gives the complementary
voltage drop.
 Inputs at logic 1: When both the inputs A and B are at high, then the diodes are
neutralized. There is no voltage drop across the diodes and the diode switches
are open. Since no current flows across the resistor and no voltage drop, the
output is high. Thus, the operation of diode logic AND is the reverse of diode
logic OR gate since the diodes are reversed.
 Inputs at logic 0: When both the inputs are at low, the biasing voltage (+5 V)
flows through the resistor and reaches the diodes and finally the input source.
This causes the diodes to be forward biased and the diode switch is closed.
Thus, the output voltage drop across the diode is logic 0. If one of the inputs is
high and the other is maintained at low, then the diode connected to high input
voltages or logic 1 is reverse biased and its input voltage is disconnected from

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 the output. The output is again 0. Thus, this circuit performs the logical AND
functions.

Diode-Transistor Logic NAND (DTL-NAND) gate

The Diode-Transistor Logic NAND (DTL-NAND) gate combines diodes and a transistor
to create a NAND function. The diodes first form an AND circuit, and then a transistor
inverts the result. The output is LOW only when all inputs are HIGH; otherwise, the
output remains HIGH. DTL was one of the early logic families before Transistor-
Transistor Logic (TTL) became the industry standard.

NAND Operation

if both the input A and B are 1 or TRUE then the output is 1 or TRUE; otherwise it is 0
or FALSE.We can create AND, OR and NOT gate using the NAND gate.

 Truth Table of AND Gate

The truth table for the AND operation is shown below.
Input Output
A B X
0 0 1
0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 0

Diode-transistor logic (DTL) was one of the most popular manufactured circuits. The
basic DTL circuit is a diode AND with a transistor inverter. The figure below shows the
basic DTL configuration which is a NAND circuit.

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The divider network, consisting of R1, R2, and R3, is designed such that if all the input
voltages are HIGH (logic 1), the base of Q1 is relatively positive and Q1 is on. The output
voltage at the collector of Q1 is almost zero. If any of the inputs now swing to 0 volt,
that particular diode conducts. This applies a relatively negative voltage to the base of
the transistor which is now cutoff. The collector tends to rise to the supply voltage
+VCC. Capacitor C1 is used to provide an overdrive current during switching time. This
reduces the switching time to some extent.

Transistor-Transistor Logic NAND (TTL-NAND) gate

A TTL NAND gate, or Transistor-Transistor Logic NAND gate, is valuable in many logic
circuits. This gate performs the NAND (NOT AND) operation, giving a low (0) output
only when all its inputs are high (1). Understanding TTL NAND gates is valuable since
they are foundational in creating universal gates capable of executing any logical
function.
In practical terms, when both inputs are high (logic 1), the transistors at the input stage
conduct current through a resistor, which is forward-biased. This causes current to
flow through the emitter resistor. The voltage at the collector of the input transistors
then drops, turning off the output transistor and resulting in a low output (logic 0).
Conversely, if at least one input is low (logic 0), the corresponding input transistor does
not conduct. This maintains a high voltage at the collector, which keeps the output
transistor turned on and produces a high output (logic 1). This demonstrates the
efficiency and reliability of TTL NAND gates in digital systems.
For instance, imagine a basic digital alarm system where multiple sensors (inputs) must
all be triggered to sound an alarm (output). With a TTL NAND gate, the system ensures
that only when all sensors detect an issue (high input) will the alarm be silenced (low
output), offering a dependable safety mechanism.
 Circuit Design and Implementation

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Designing a TTL NAND gate involves arranging multiple BJTs in a specific configuration.
The typical circuit includes (see Figure 4 for the circuit diagram):
Input Stage (Q1 and R1): Two NPN transistors are configured in parallel. When either
or both inputs are low, the corresponding transistor is off, resulting in no current flow
through R1, keeping the voltage at the collector high.
Phase-Splitting Stage (Q2 and R2): When both inputs are high, both Q1 transistors are
forward-biased, allowing current to flow through R1. This pulls the voltage at the
collector of Q1 down, turning off Q2.
Output Stage (Q3, Q4, and D): Q3 and Q4 form a totem-pole output configuration with
a diode (D) for protection. When Q2 is off (both inputs high), Q3 is turned off, and Q4
is turned on, resulting in a low output. Conversely, when either input is low, Q2 is on,
which turns Q3 on and Q4 off, resulting in a high output.

When inputs A and B are high, both input transistors' base-emitter junctions are
forward-biased, allowing current to flow from Vcc through the transistors and the
common emitter resistor to ground. This creates a voltage drop across the emitter
resistor, reducing the collector-emitter voltage of the input transistors, which in turn
reduces the base drive to the phase-splitting transistor. Consequently, the phase-
splitting transistor remains off, keeping the collector voltage high. This high voltage is
then fed to the base of the output transistor, keeping it off and resulting in a low
output voltage.