Basic Logic Gates
Basic Logic Gates
Basic Logic Gates
Logic gates
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
NOR gate
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.
The NAND and NOR gates are called universal functions since with either one the AND and OR
functions and NOT can be generated.
Note:
A function in sum of products form can be implemented using NAND gates by replacing all
AND and OR gates by NAND gates.
A function in product of sums form can be implemented using NOR gates by
replacing all AND and OR gates by NOR gates.