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Understanding Logic NOR Gates

The document discusses the logic NOR gate, including its definition as a combination of an OR gate and inverter, its truth table and Boolean expression, how it can be constructed using transistors, common symbols used, and examples of NOR gates being used to create other logic gates like AND, OR, and NOT gates, making it a universal gate.

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21 views5 pages

Understanding Logic NOR Gates

The document discusses the logic NOR gate, including its definition as a combination of an OR gate and inverter, its truth table and Boolean expression, how it can be constructed using transistors, common symbols used, and examples of NOR gates being used to create other logic gates like AND, OR, and NOT gates, making it a universal gate.

Uploaded by

hemantha dalugama
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Logic NOR Gate Tutorial

Logic NOR Gate Tutorial


The Logic NOR Gate gate is a combination of the digital logic OR gate and an inverter or NOT
gate connected together in series

The inclusive NOR (Not-OR) gate has an output that is normally at logic level “1”
and only goes “LOW” to logic level “0” when ANY of its inputs are at logic level “1”.
The Logic NOR Gate is the reverse or “Complementary” form of the inclusive OR
gate we have seen previously.

Logic NOR Gate Equivalent

The logic or Boolean expression given for a logic NOR gate is that for Logical
Multiplication which it performs on the complements of the inputs. Its Boolean
expression is denoted by a plus sign, ( + ) with a line or Overline, ( ‾‾ ) over the
expression to signify the NOT or logical negation of the NOR gate giving us the
Boolean expression of: A+B = Q.
Then we can define the operation of a 2-input digital gate as being:

“If both A and B are NOT true, then Q is true”

Transistor Logic NOR Gate


A simple 2-input logic gate can be constructed using RTL Resistor-transistor switches
connected together as shown below with the inputs connected directly to the transistor
bases. Both transistors must be cut-off “OFF” for an output at Q.
Logic NOR Gates are available using digital circuits to produce the desired logical
function. It is given a symbol whose shape is that of a standard OR gate with a circle,
sometimes called an “inversion bubble” at its output to represent the NOT (Inversion)
gate symbol as shown:

The Digital Logic NOR Gate

2-input Logic NOR Gate

Symbol Truth Table

B A Q

0 0 1

0 1 0

1 0 0
2-input NOR Gate
1 1 0

Boolean Expression Q = A+B Read as A OR B gives NOT Q


3-input NOR Gate

Symbol Truth Table

C B A Q

0 0 0 1

0 0 1 0

0 1 0 0

0 1 1 0

1 0 0 0
3-input NOR Gate
1 0 1 0

1 1 0 0

1 1 1 0

Boolean Expression Q = A+B+C Read as A OR B OR C gives NOT Q

As with the OR function, the NOR function can also have any number of individual
inputs and commercial available IC’s are available in standard 2, 3, or 4 input types. If
additional inputs are required, then the standard NOR gates can be cascaded together
to provide more inputs for example.

A 4-input NOR Function

The Boolean Expression for this 4-input NOR gate will therefore be: Q = A+B+C+D
If the number of inputs required is an odd number of inputs any “unused” inputs can
be held LOW by connecting them directly to ground using suitable “Pull-down”
resistors.
The Logic NOR Gate function is sometimes known as the Pierce Function and is
denoted by a downwards arrow operator as shown, A↓B.

The “Universal” NOR Gate


Like the NAND gate seen in the last section, the NOR gate can also be classed as a
“Universal” type gate. NOR gates can be used to produce any other type of logic gate
function just like the NAND gate and by connecting them together in various
combinations the three basic gate types of AND, OR and NOT function can be formed
using only NOR gates, for example.

Various Logic Gates using only NOR Gates

As well as the three common types above, Exclusive-OR, Exclusive-NOR and


standard NOR gates can also be formed using just individual NOR gates.
Commonly available digital logic NOR gate IC’s include:
TTL Logic NOR Gates

 74LS02 Quad 2-input


 74LS27 Triple 3-input
 74LS260 Dual 5-input

CMOS Logic NOR Gates

 CD4001 Quad 2-input


 CD4025 Triple 3-input
 CD4002 Dual 4-input

7402 Quad 2-input Logic NOR Gate

In the next tutorial about Digital Logic Gates, we will look at the digital
logic Exclusive-OR gate known commonly as the Ex-OR Gate function as used in
both TTL and CMOS logic circuits as well as its Boolean Algebra definition and truth
tables.

Common questions

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Pull-down resistors are used to hold unused inputs of a NOR gate at a logic low level. By connecting them directly to ground, pull-down resistors ensure that the unused inputs do not float and inadvertently affect the gate’s operation. This guarantees predictable behavior and correct logical output, especially when dealing with NOR gates that involve a larger number of inputs than required .

The inversion bubble in the graphical symbol of a logic NOR gate represents the NOT operation applied to the output of the OR function. It signifies that the output is the complement of what would be the output of a typical OR gate. This visual cue indicates the inclusion of logical negation at the gate’s output, providing clarity in understanding and differentiating the NOR gate from simple OR gates on circuit diagrams .

Cascading NOR gates allows for increased input capacity by connecting multiple NOR gates in series or parallel, effectively expanding the number of inputs that can influence the output. When additional inputs are needed, several smaller-input NOR gates can be combined—each handling a subset of inputs—to collectively manage a larger input set. This method also allows the inputs to be distributed logically through the sequencing of gates, thereby accommodating more input variations within a logic circuit .

In NOR gate implementations, TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic) and CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) technologies differ primarily in their power consumption, speed, and noise immunity. TTL gates are faster but consume more power, making them suitable for speed-critical applications. Conversely, CMOS gates offer lower power consumption and higher noise immunity but operate at reduced speeds. These differences impact their application, layout, and operational efficiency in digital circuits .

The classification of the NOR gate as a 'universal gate' implies that it can be used to construct any other type of logic gate, including AND, OR, and NOT gates. This means complex logic circuits can be built using only NOR gates, offering versatility and simplification in circuit design. The capability to form other gates using NOR alone is analogous to NAND gates, making NOR crucial for creating flexible designs in digital circuits using minimal components .

For a 3-input NOR gate, the output is '1' only if all inputs are '0'. Therefore, if all inputs are high (1), the output will be '0'. This follows the operation principle of NOR gates where the output is the negation of an OR operation over the inputs, meaning it will only produce a 'high' result when all inputs are 'low' .

Yes, a 4-input NOR gate can be constructed using only 2-input NOR gates. One way to achieve this is by cascading the 2-input NOR gates. Connect the first pair of inputs to a 2-input NOR gate and the second pair to another 2-input NOR gate. The outputs of these two gates then become the inputs of a third 2-input NOR gate. This final gate performs a NOR operation on the two intermediary results, providing an equivalent 4-input NOR gate function .

NOR gates can simulate an Exclusive-OR (Ex-OR) gate by employing multiple layers that utilize interconnected NOR gate structures. For a typical Ex-OR operation with two inputs, A and B, the logic is fulfilled through operations that replicate: (A AND NOT B) OR (NOT A AND B). Using NOR gates, this involves creating intermediary NOR gate configurations that negate inputs and outputs to effectively segregate the conditions where only one of the inputs is '1'. This requires intricate circuitry involving 5 NOR gates to achieve the full Ex-OR functionality .

The NOR gate is referred to as the 'Pierce Function' due to its operation being viewed through a specific symbolic representation involving a downward arrow operator (A↓B). This notation uniquely characterizes the NOR operation where the output is true only when all inputs are false. This symbolic representation emphasizes the operation as a combination of OR and NOT functionality, showcasing its breakdown into simpler logical operations .

A NOR gate is the inverse of an OR gate. While an OR gate outputs a logic level '1' when any of its inputs are logic level '1', a NOR gate outputs a logic level '0' under the same condition. The NOR gate only outputs a logic level '1' when all of its inputs are logic level '0'. This is because a NOR gate performs a logical negation (NOT) on the output of an OR operation, effectively inverting its result .

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