A combinational circuit, also called a combinational logic circuit, is a

digital electronic circuit whose output is determined by present inputs only.

The output of a combinational logic circuit does not depend on the history of
the circuit operation. In other words, a combinational circuit is a digital logic
circuit whose output depends only on the present input values and does not
depend on any feedback or previous input or output values.

What is a Combinational Circuit?

A combinational circuit is a type of digital logic circuit whose output depends
on the present input values only and does not depend on past input and
output values. Therefore, a combinational circuit is considered to not have a
memory element in its circuit that stores previous inputs and outputs.
Instead, it consists of a certain number of input lines to apply current input
values and a certain number of output lines.

The most important characteristic of a combinational circuit is that it does not

have any feedback path between input and output. Therefore, the
combinational circuits can be categorized as open-loop systems.

Block Diagram of Combinational Circuit

The following figure depicts the block diagram of a combinational logic
circuit.

Here, we can see that there are only three key elements in the circuit
diagram of a combinational circuit, they are −

 Input Lines − The input lines are used to enter the input values into the
combinational circuit.
 Processing Unit − It is the main element that processes the input values
depending on the type of the circuit. For example, a full adder adds three
binary bits.
 Output Lines − The output lines are used to take results generated by the
circuit.
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Characteristics of Combinational Circuits

The following are the main characteristics of combinational circuits −

 The output of a combinational circuit, at any instant of time, depends only on

the present input values at that instant of time.
 Combinational circuits do not use any kind of memory element in their
circuits. Thus, the previous state of input and output values do not have any
effect on the present operation of the circuit.
 The output of a combinational circuit can be entirely predicted using its
logical operation and input values.
 Combinational circuits produce an instantaneous output in response to any
change in its input values.

Types of Combinational Circuits

In digital electronics, the combinational circuits are important components of
digital systems. Depending on the functions performed, there are various
types of combinational circuits. Some common types of combinational circuits
and their functions are explained below −

 Binary Adders
 Binary Subtractors
 Multiplexers (MUX)
 Demultiplexers (DEMUX)
 Encoders
 Decoders
 Comparators

In the following sections of this chapter, we will discuss briefly about each of
these combinational circuits along with their functions.

Binary Adders
A binary adder is a combinational circuit that performs the addition of
binary digits or bits. Depending on the design and configuration, there are
two types of binary adders namely, Half Adder and Full Adder.

Half Adder
The half adder is a combinational logic circuit with two inputs and two
outputs. The half adder circuit is designed to add two single-bit binary
numbers A and B. It is the basic building block for the addition of two single-
bit numbers. This circuit has two outputs namely, sum and carry.
Full Adder
The full adder is designed to overcome the drawback of a half adder which
is the ability to add only two bits. Therefore, the full adder is a three-input
and two-output combinational circuit. Where, the inputs are two one-bit
numbers A and B, and a carry C from the previous addition. The outputs are
sum and carry output.

Binary Subtractors
A binary subtractor is a combinational logic circuit used to subtract one
binary number from another. Similar to binary adder, there are two types of
binary subtractors namely, half-subtractor and full-subtractor.

Half Subtractor
A half subtractor is a combination circuit with two inputs (A and B) and two
outputs (difference and borrow). It produces the difference between the two
binary bits at the input and also produces an output (Borrow) to indicate if a
1 has been borrowed. In binary subtraction (A-B), A is called a Minuend bit
and B is called a Subtrahend bit.
Full Subtractor
The full subtractor is also a combinational circuit with three inputs A, B, and
Bin, and two outputs D and Bout.
Here, A is the minuend bit, B is the subtrahend bit, Bin is the previous
borrow bit produced by the previous stage, D is the difference output and
Bout is the borrow output.

Multiplexers (MUX)
A multiplexer is a special type of combinational logic circuit. It consists of n-
data input lines, one output, and m-select lines. For a multiplexer, n = 2 m.
A multiplexer is a digital circuit that selects one of the n data inputs and
routes it to the output line. The selection of one of the n data inputs is done
by the select lines. Depending on the digital code applied at the select lines,
one out of "n" data inputs is selected and transmitted to the output line.

In some multiplexers, there is also an enable input E which is useful in

cascading of multiple multiplexers.

Depending on the number of input lines, there can be several types of

multiplexers. Some common types of multiplexers include 2:1 Multiplexer,
4:1 Multiplexer, 16:1 Multiplexer, and 32:1 Multiplexer.

Demultiplexers (DEMUX)
A demultiplexer performs a distribution operation i.e., it receives one data
input and distributes it over several output lines.

A demultiplexer has only one input line, "n" output lines, and "m" select lines.
At a time, only one output line is selected by the digital code applied to the
select lines and the data input is transmitted to the selected output line.

Demultiplexers can be classified into various types depending on the number

of output lines. Some commonly used types of demultiplexers include: 1:2
Demultiplexer, 1:4 Demultiplexer, 1:16 Demultiplexer, and 1:32
Demultiplexer.

Encoders
An encoder is a combinational circuit that is designed to convert a piece of
information into a binary code. An encoder has n number of input lines
and m number of output lines, where n = 2m.
An encoder generates an m-bit binary code corresponding to the digital input
applied to it. In other words, an encoder accepts an n-input digital word and
converts it into an m-bit another digital word.

Examples of encoder include 4-to-2 encoder, octal-to-binary encoder,

hexadecimal-to-binary encoder, priority encoder, etc.

Decoders
A decoder is a combinational circuit that converts a binary code into a normal
word like a decimal digit. A decoder typically consists of n input lines
and m output lines, where the m = 2n.

Decoders are widely used in display drivers, data distribution systems, etc.

Some of the commonly used types of decoders are 2 to 4 decoder, 3 to 8

decoder, 4 to 16 decoder, BCD to seven segment decoder, etc.

Comparators
A comparator is a combinational logic circuit developed to compare two
binary numbers. Comparators are mainly used in arithmetic and control
circuits to perform comparison or logical operations.
 A comparator, as its name suggests, compares the input values and checks
whether they are equal or one input is greater/less than the other input.

Limitations of Combinational Circuits

Combinational circuits have several advantages such as fast operational
speed, simpler circuit, predictable operation, etc. However, they do have
several limitations too, some of which are listed below −

 Combinational circuits do not have any memory element. They are incapable
to store history of circuit operation.
 Combinational circuits cannot be used to implement certain highly complex
logic functions.
 Combinational circuits do not have any feedback mechanism. That makes the
combinational circuits to have limited functionality.
 At large scale, combinational circuits have several design complexities that
can result in poor performance and inefficient resource utilization.

Applications of Combinational Circuits

Combinational circuits are the fundamental building blocks in various digital
devices and systems. They are widely used in several digital devices in which
combinational circuits are used −

 Microprocessors and Microcontrollers

 Digital Computers
 Calculators
 Digital Communication Systems
 Keyboards
 Smartphones and Digital Watches, etc

Conclusion
A combinational logic circuit is a key component in various digital devices
and systems. It can be defined as an interconnected system of digital
components whose output depends only on the present states of inputs and
it does not depend on past input and output values.

The combinational circuits have set of outputs, which depends only on the present
combination of inputs. Below is the block diagram of the synchronous logic circuit.

The sequential circuit is a special type of circuit that has a series of inputs and outputs.
The outputs of the sequential circuits depend on both the combination of present inputs
and previous outputs. The previous output is treated as the present state. So, the
sequential circuit contains the combinational circuit and its memory storage elements. A
sequential circuit doesn't need to always contain a combinational circuit. So, the
sequential circuit can contain only the memory element.

Difference between the combinational circuits and sequential circuits are given below:

Combinational Sequential Circuits

Circuits

The outputs of the

The outputs of the
sequential circuits
combinational circuit
1) depend on both present
depend only on the
inputs and present
present inputs.
state(previous output).

The feedback path is not The feedback path is

2) present in the present in the sequential
combinational circuit. circuits.

In the sequential circuit,

In combinational circuits,
memory elements play
3) memory elements are
an important role and
not required.
require.

The clock signal is not The clock signal is

4) required for required for sequential
combinational circuits. circuits.

The combinational
It is not simple to design
5) circuit is simple to
a sequential circuit.
design.

Basics of Flip Flop

A circuit that has two stable states is treated as a flip flop. These stable states are used
to store binary data that can be changed by applying varying inputs. The flip flops are
the fundamental building blocks of the digital system. Flip flops and latches are
examples of data storage elements. In the sequential logical circuit, the flip flop is the
basic storage element. The latches and flip flops are the basic storage elements but
different in working. There are the following types of flip flops:

SR Flip Flop
The S-R flip flop is the most common flip flop used in the digital system. In SR flip flop,
when the set input "S" is true, the output Y will be high, and Y' will be low. It is required
that the wiring of the circuit is maintained when the outputs are established. We maintain
the wiring until set or reset input goes high, or power is shutdown.

The S-R flip flop is the simplest and easiest circuit to understand.

Truth Table:

J-K Flip-flop
The JK flip flop is used to remove the drawback of the S-R flip flop, i.e., undefined
states. The JK flip flop is formed by doing modification in the SR flip flop. The S-R flip
flop is improved in order to construct the J-K flip flop. When S and R input is set to true,
the SR flip flop gives an inaccurate result. But in the case of JK flip flop, it gives the
correct output.
In J-K flip flop, if both of its inputs are different, the value of J at the next clock edge is
taken by the output Y. If both of its input is low, then no change occurs, and if high at the
clock edge, then from one state to the other, the output will be toggled. The JK Flip Flop
is a Set or Reset Flip flop in the digital system.

Truth Table:

D Flip Flop
D flip flop is a widely used flip flop in digital systems. The D flip flop is mostly used in
shift-registers, counters, and input synchronization.
Truth Table:

T Flip Flop
Just like JK flip-flop, T flip flop is used. Unlike JK flip flop, in T flip flop, there is only
single input with the clock input. The T flip flop is constructed by connecting both of the
inputs of JK flip flop together as a single input.

The T flip flop is also known as Toggle flip-flop. These T flip-flops are able to find the
complement of its state.
Truth Table:

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