Logic Gate

Logic Gate
A logic gate is a device that acts as a building block for digital circuits. They perform basic logical functions that
are fundamental to digital circuits. Most electronic devices we use today will have some form of logic gates in
them. For example, logic gates can be used in digital electronics such as smartphones and tablets or in memory
devices.
In a circuit, logic gates work based on a combination of digital signals coming from its inputs. Most logic gates
have two inputs and one output, and they are based on Boolean algebra. At any given moment, every terminal is
in one of the two binary conditions: true or false. False represents 0, and true represents 1.
Depending on the type of logic gate being used and the combination of inputs, the binary output will differ. A
logic gate can be thought of like a light switch, where in one position the output is off (0), and in another, it is on
(1). Logic gates are commonly used in integrated circuits (IC).
Basic logic gates
There are seven basic logic gates: AND, OR, XOR, NOT, NAND, NOR and XNOR.
The AND gate is named so because, if 0 is false and 1 is true, the gate acts in the same way as the logical "and"
operator. The following illustration and table show the circuit symbol and logic combinations for an AND gate.
(In the symbol, the input terminals are on the left, and the output terminal is on the right.) The output is "true"
when both inputs are "true." Otherwise, the output is "false." In other words, the output is 1 only when both inputs
are 1.
The OR gate gets its name from behaving like the logical inclusive "or." The output is true if one or both of the
inputs are true. If both inputs are false, then the output is false. In other words, for the output to be 1, at least one
input must be 1.
The XOR (exclusive-OR) gate acts in the same way as the logical "either/or." The output is true if either, but not
both, of the inputs are true. The output is false if both inputs are "false" or if both inputs are true. Similarly, the
output is 1 if the inputs are different but 0 if the inputs are the same.
A logical inverter, sometimes called a NOT gate to differentiate it from other types of electronic inverter devices,
has only one input. A NOT gate reverses the logic state. If the input is 1, then the output is 0. If the input is 0,
then the output is 1.
The NAND (Negated AND) gate operates as an AND gate followed by a NOT gate. It acts in the manner of the
logical operation "and" followed by negation. The output is false if both inputs are true. Otherwise, the output is
true. Another way to visualize it is that a NAND gate inverts the output of an AND gate. The NAND gate symbol
is an AND gate with the circle of a NOT gate at the output.
The NOR (NOT OR) gate is a combination OR gate followed by an inverter. Its output is true if both inputs are
false. Otherwise, the output is false.
The XNOR (exclusive-NOR) gate is a combination of an XOR gate followed by an inverter. Its output is true if
the inputs are the same and false if the inputs are different.
Complex operations can be performed using combinations of these logic gates. In theory, there is no limit to the
number of gates that can be arrayed together in a single device. But in practice, there is a limit to the number of
gates that can be packed into a given physical space.
Arrays of logic gates are found in digital ICs. As IC technology advances, the required physical volume for each
individual logic gate decreases, and digital devices become capable of performing more complicated operations
at increasing speeds.
Here are some logic gate circuit problems:

 Draw a logic circuit for (A + B) C.
 Draw a logic circuit for A + BC + D.
 Draw a logic circuit for AB + AC.
 Draw a logic circuit for (A + B) (C + D) C.
Logic Circuits and Boolean Algebra
Boolean expressions can be computed by implementing them in hardware using logic gates. This is most easily
seen with an example. Consider the Boolean expression AB+CD. The corresponding digital logic circuit is:
Other examples:
Sometimes circuits get so complex that the same variable is input into multiple gates, or the only way to draw
wires on the diagram is to have them cross, even though they do not connect. When two wires cross and are
supposed to be connected, we draw a small, dark dot at the intersection. This is called a junction. If two wires
cross on the drawing but are not connected, then no junction appears. The following example illustrates this point.
EXERCISES:
1. Draw digital logic circuits for these Boolean expressions
1.
2.
2. Give the equivalent Boolean expressions for these digital logic circuits
1.
2.

Logic Gate

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Basic logic gates

Here are some logic gate circuit problems:

 Draw a logic circuit for A + BC + D.

 Draw a logic circuit for AB + AC.

 Draw a logic circuit for (A + B) (C + D) C.

Logic Circuits and Boolean Algebra

1. Draw digital logic circuits for these Boolean expressions

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