Short Note: Logic Gates and Boolean Functions
1. Signals Used in Electronic Science
Signals in electronics can be analog or digital.
• Analog signals: Continuous signals that vary over time (e.g., sound waves).
• Digital signals: Discrete signals with two states: HIGH (1) and LOW (0).
Digital systems use binary logic, where electronic circuits process 0s and 1s to perform
operations.
2. Basic Logic Gates and Combinational Logic Gates
Logic gates are fundamental building blocks of digital circuits that perform basic logical
operations.
Basic Logic Gates and Their Truth Tables:
1. AND Gate (Multiplication): Output is 1 if both inputs are 1.
A B A AND B
0 0 0
0 1 0
1 0 0
1 1 1
2.OR Gate (Addition): Output is 1 if at least one input is 1.
A B A OR B
0 0 0
0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 1
3. NOT Gate (Inversion): Inverts the input (0 → 1, 1 → 0).
A NOT A
0 1
1 0
Combinational Logic Gates and Their Truth Tables:
1. NAND Gate: Inverse of AND (Output is 0 only if both inputs are 1).
A B A NAND B
0 0 1
0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 0
2. NOR Gate: Inverse of OR (Output is 1 only if both inputs are 0).
A B A NOR B
0 0 1
0 1 0
1 0 0
1 1 0
3. XOR Gate: Output is 1 if inputs are different.
A B A XOR B
0 0 0
0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 0
4. XNOR Gate: Output is 1 if inputs are the same.
A B A XNOR B
0 0 1
0 1 0
1 0 0
1 1 1
3. Representing Boolean Expressions Using Truth Tables
A truth table represents all possible input combinations and corresponding outputs for a
Boolean function.
Example: AND Gate
A B Output (A AND B)
0 0 0
0 1 0
1 0 0
1 1 1
4. Creating Combinational Logic Gates Using Basic Logic Gates
Combinational logic circuits are formed by combining basic gates.
Example: Half Adder (XOR + AND)
• Sum = A ⊕ B (XOR gate)
• Carry = A • B (AND gate)
5. Drawing Digital Circuits for Boolean Expressions
A Boolean expression can be represented as a circuit.
Example: Boolean Expression Y = A • B + C
• AND gate processes A AND B
• OR gate combines A • B and C
6. Constructing Truth Tables from Boolean Expressions
Given a circuit, a truth table is created by evaluating all possible input values.
Example: Y = A ⊕ B (XOR Gate)
A B Output (Y = A ⊕ B)
0 0 0
0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 0
7. Integrated Circuits (ICs)
ICs are small electronic components that contain multiple logic gates.
• 7400 Series: TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic)
• 4000 Series: CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor)
8. Practical Usage of Logic Gates
Logic gates are used in various applications:
1. Computers - ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
2. Traffic Light Controllers - Sequential logic circuits
3. Electronic Locks - Digital access control
4. Memory Storage - Flip-flops and registers
Conclusion
Logic gates and Boolean algebra are essential for digital circuit design, enabling modern
electronics and computing.