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Logic Gates

Logic Gates
Introduction to Logic
Many electronic circuits operate using binary logic gates. Logic gates basically process signals which
represent true or false or the equivalent i.e. ON or OFF, 1 or 0
Whilst there are a number of logic gates, only the five simplest are covered in this booklet: NOT gate,
AND gate, OR gate, NAND gate and NOR gate.
The following notes describe the function of all five gates, how to produce truth tables, how to
design networks using logic gates, and how to determine the output from a logic network.

The five main logic gates

The most common symbols used to represent logic gates are shown below. To avoid confusion the
graphical representations will be used in exam questions but candidates may use either set of
symbols when answering questions.

1 simple graphical representation

2 MIL symbols used to represent logic gates

Truth tables are used to show logic gate functions (refer to next section). The NOT gate has only one
input (and one output) but the other four gates have two inputs (but still only one output).
The next section describes the function of all five logic gates.
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Logic Gates
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Logic Gates

The tables above containing 1s and 0s are known as truth tables and are an integral part of logic
gates functionality. These are used extensively throughout this booklet in the design and testing of
logic networks built up from logic gates.
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Logic Gates

Combinations of logic gates

It is possible to combine logic gates together to produce more complex logic networks.
This booklet will only deal with a maximum of three inputs and up to six logic gates. The output from
a logic network is checked by producing the truth table (as shown in the examples below).
We will deal with two different scenarios here. The first involves drawing the truth table from a
given logic network; the second involves designing a logic network for a given problem and then
testing it by drawing the truth table.

Producing the truth table from a given logic network

Consider the following logic network which contains three inputs and three logic gates:

If we now look at the output in two stages. First let us consider the outputs being produced at stages
S and T. To do this we need to draw a truth table. There are three inputs (A, B and C) which gives 23
(i.e. 8) possible combinations of 1s and 0s. To work out the outputs at S and T we need to refer to
the truth tables for the NOR gate and for the AND gate. For example, when A = 1 and B = 1 then we
have 1 NOR 1 which gives the value of S = 0. Continuing doing the same thing for all 8 possible inputs
we get the following interim truth table:
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Logic Gates
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Logic Gates

Designing logic networks to solve a specific problem and testing using truth
tables

Consider the following problem:

“If button A or button B are on and button C is off then the alarm X goes on”

We can convert this onto logic gate terminology (ON = 1 and OFF = 0):
If (A = 1 OR B = 1) AND (C = NOT 1) then (X = 1)
(Notice: rather than write 0 we use NOT 1)

To draw the logic network, we do each part in brackets first i.e. A = 1 OR B = 1 is one gate then C =
NOT 1 is the second gate. These are then joined together by the AND gate. Once the logic network is
drawn we can then test it using a truth table. Remember the original problem – we are looking for
the output to be 1 when A or B is 1 and when C is 0. Thus we get the following logic network and
truth table from the network. Looking at the values in the truth table, we will be able to clearly see
that it matches up with the original problem which then gives us confidence that the logic network is
correct.
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Logic Gates

Let us now consider a second problem:

A steel rolling mill is to be controlled by a logic network made up of AND, OR and NOT gates only.
The mill receives a stop signal (i.e. S = 1) depending on the following input bits:

A stop signal (S = 1) occurs when:

either Length, L > 100 metres and Velocity, V < 10 m/s
or Temperature, T < 1000 C and Velocity, V > 10 m/s
Draw a logic network and truth table to show all the possible situations when the stop signal could
be received.

The first thing to do is to try and turn the question into a series of logic gates and then the problem
becomes much simplified.

• The first statement can be re-written as: (L = 1 AND V = NOT 1) since Length > 100 metres
corresponds to a binary value of 1 and Velocity < 10 m/s corresponds to a binary value of 0
(i.e. NOT 1).
• The second statement can be re-written as (T = NOT 1 AND V = 1) since Temperature <
1000C corresponds to a binary value of 0 (i.e. NOT 1) and Velocity > 10 m/s corresponds to a
binary value of 1
• Both these statements are joined together by OR which gives us the logic statement:
if (L = 1 AND V = NOT 1) OR (T = NOT 1 AND V = 1) then S = 1

We can now draw the logic network and truth table to give the solution to the original problem
(input L has been put at the bottom of the diagram just to avoid crossing over of lines; it merely
makes it look neater and less complex and isn’t essential):
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Logic Gates
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Logic Gates

Other Questions:
In questions 1 to 6, produce truth tables from the given logic networks. Remember that if there are
TWO inputs then there will be four (22) possible outputs and if there are THREE inputs there will be
eight (23) possible outputs.
i.e.
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Logic Gates
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Logic Gates

Questions 7 to 10 require both the logic network to be created and also the truth table. The truth
table can be derived from the logic network, but also from the problem. This is a check that the logic
network actually represents the original problem.

(7) A computer will only operate if three switches P, S and T are correctly set. An output signal
(X = 1) will occur if P and S are both ON or if P is OFF and S and T are ON. Design a logic network and
draw the truth table for this network.

(8) A traffic signal system will only operate if it receives an output signal (D = 1). This can only
occur if:
either (a) signal A is red (i.e. A = 0)
or (b) signal A is green (i.e. A = 1) and signals B and C are both red (i.e. B and C are both 0)
Design a logic network and draw a truth table for the above system.

(9) A chemical plant gives out a warning signal (W = 1) when the process goes wrong. A logic
network is used to provide input and to decide whether or not W = 1.

A warning signal (W = 1) will be generated if

either (a) Chemical Rate < 10 m3/s
or (b) Temperature > 87 C and Concentration > 2 moles
or (c) Chemical rate = 10 m3/s and Temperature > 87 C
Draw a logic network and truth table to show all the possible situations when the warning signal
could be received.

(10) A power station has a safety system based on three inputs to a logic network. A warning
signal (S = 1) is produced when certain conditions occur based on these 3 inputs:

A warning signal (S = 1) will be generated if:

either (a) Temperature > 120C and Cooling Water < 100 l/hr
or (b) Temperature < 120C and (Pressure > 10 bar or Cooling Water < 100 l/hr)

Draw a logic network and truth table to show all the possible situations when the warning signal
could be received.
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Logic Gates

Past Papers Questions:

May/June 2006

Oct/Nov 2006

May/June 2007

Oct/Nov 2007

May/June 2008

Oct/Nov 2008

May/June 2009

Oct/Nov 2009. P11

Oct/Nov 2009. P12

Oct/Nov 2009. P13

May/June 2010. P11

May/June 2010. P12

May/June 2010. P13

Oct/Nov 2010. P11

Oct/Nov 2010. P12

Oct/Nov 2010. P13

May/June 2011. P11

10 (a) Two logic gates are the AND gate and the OR gate. Complete the truth tables for these two
gates:
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Logic Gates

(b) Complete the truth table for the following logic circuit:

May/June 2011. P12

11 (a) (i) Complete the truth table for the following logic circuit:

(ii) Which single logic gate has the SAME function as the above logic circuit? [1]
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Logic Gates

Oct/Nov 2011. P11

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Logic Gates

Oct/Nov 2011. P12

Oct/Nov 2011. P13

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Logic Gates
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Logic Gates

May/June 2012. P11

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Logic Gates
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Logic Gates

May/June 2012. P12

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Logic Gates

Oct/Nov 2012. P12

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Logic Gates

Oct/Nov 2012. P13

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Logic Gates

May/June 2013. P11

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Logic Gates
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Logic Gates

May/June 2013. P12