Digital Logic Gates to Know for Intro to Electrical Engineering

Digital logic gates are the core components of electronic circuits, enabling complex decision-making processes. Understanding gates like AND, OR, and NOT helps in grasping how computers and control systems operate, forming the foundation of electrical engineering.

1. AND gate

   • Outputs true (1) only if all inputs are true (1).
   • Symbolized by a multiplication operation (A · B).
   • Fundamental building block for creating complex logic circuits.
   • Used in applications requiring all conditions to be met, such as control systems.

2. OR gate

   • Outputs true (1) if at least one input is true (1).
   • Symbolized by a addition operation (A + B).
   • Commonly used in decision-making circuits where any condition can trigger an output.
   • Forms the basis for inclusive logic operations in digital systems.

3. NOT gate

   • Inverts the input signal; outputs true (1) if the input is false (0), and vice versa.
   • Symbolized by a bar over the input (¬A or A').
   • Essential for creating negation in logic circuits, allowing for more complex operations.
   • Used in signal processing and control systems to reverse conditions.

4. NAND gate

   • Outputs false (0) only if all inputs are true (1); otherwise, it outputs true (1).
   • Can be seen as an AND gate followed by a NOT gate.
   • Universal gate; any logic function can be implemented using only NAND gates.
   • Widely used in digital circuits due to its versatility and simplicity.

5. NOR gate

   • Outputs true (1) only if all inputs are false (0); otherwise, it outputs false (0).
   • Can be viewed as an OR gate followed by a NOT gate.
   • Another universal gate; can be used to create any other logic gate.
   • Useful in applications requiring a default false condition.

6. XOR gate

   • Outputs true (1) if an odd number of inputs are true (1); otherwise, it outputs false (0).
   • Symbolized by the exclusive OR operation, often used in arithmetic operations.
   • Important in applications like parity checking and error detection.
   • Provides a way to compare two binary values for equality.

7. XNOR gate

   • Outputs true (1) if an even number of inputs are true (1); otherwise, it outputs false (0).
   • Can be seen as an XOR gate followed by a NOT gate.
   • Useful for equality checking in digital circuits.
   • Plays a significant role in error detection and correction schemes.