Computer systems - AQACombining gates

At the simplest level, computers are little more than a collection of transistors and circuits. They connect together to form logic gates, which in turn are used to form logic circuits.

Part ofComputer ScienceTheoretical knowledge

Combining gates

are often combined to create more complex conditions. When this happens, the of one gate is connected directly to another gate.

Combining an OR gate with a NOT gate

a diagram of an OR gate combined with a NOT gate

The expression from the circuit can be written as:

Q = ( A + B )

Here, the output Q is 1 (TRUE) only if inputs A and B are 0 (FALSE)

ABC = A + BQ
0001
0110
1010
1110
A0
B0
C = A + B0
Q1
A0
B1
C = A + B1
Q0
A1
B0
C = A + B1
Q0
A1
B1
C = A + B1
Q0

Note: C is not strictly necessary in the table, but it helps in understanding Q.

Combining two AND gates

Two AND gates combined representing a TRUE output

The expression from the circuit can be written as:

Q = (( A · B ) · C )

Here, the output Q is 1 (TRUE) only if C and D are 1 (TRUE). D is only 1 (TRUE) if inputs A and B are 1 (TRUE).

As a this circuit is:

ABCD = A · BQ
00000
00100
01000
01100
10000
10100
11010
11111
A0
B0
C0
D = A · B0
Q0
A0
B0
C1
D = A · B0
Q0
A0
B1
C0
D = A · B0
Q0
A0
B1
C1
D = A · B0
Q0
A1
B0
C0
D = A · B0
Q0
A1
B0
C1
D = A · B0
Q0
A1
B1
C0
D = A · B1
Q0
A1
B1
C1
D = A · B1
Q1

Note: D is not strictly necessary in the table, but it helps in understanding Q.

Combining an AND gate with an OR gate

A diagram of an AND gate combined with an OR gate

The expression from the circuit can be written as:

Q = (( A · B ) + C )

Here, the output Q is 1 (TRUE) only if C or D are 1 (TRUE). D is only 1 (TRUE) if inputs A and B are 1 (TRUE).

As a this circuit is:

ABCD = A · BQ
00000
00101
01000
01101
10000
10101
11011
11111
A0
B0
C0
D = A · B0
Q0
A0
B0
C1
D = A · B0
Q1
A0
B1
C0
D = A · B0
Q0
A0
B1
C1
D = A · B0
Q1
A1
B0
C0
D = A · B0
Q0
A1
B0
C1
D = A · B0
Q1
A1
B1
C0
D = A · B1
Q1
A1
B1
C1
D = A · B1
Q1

Note: D is not strictly necessary in the table, but it helps in understanding Q.