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EXP. 6 LOGIC GATES

Aim: To investigate the operation and characteristics of various logic gates and determine the
outcome of a logic gate combination.

Apparatus: Powered breadboard, AND gate, NAND gate, OR gate, NOR gate, NOT gate, 1k
resistor, LED

Theory:
A logic gate is a physical device that performs a logical operation on one or more binary inputs.
A binary input (or output) is a signal which can be in either of two states: LOW (corresponding to
logic 0, or off) and HIGH (corresponding to logic 1, or on). Another example of a system which
operates in a binary method is a switch & lightbulb in a circuit; the bulb can either be turned off
or turned on, depending on the state of the switch. Each logic gate performs a different logical
operation (such as addition, multiplication, or inverting the input) which is indicated by its name,
and the different combinations of inputs and outputs produced by the gate are recorded in what
is referred to as a truth table for the logic gate. In this lab, logic 0 corresponds to a voltage of 0V
at the inputs or output of each logic gate, while logic 1 corresponds to a voltage of 5V.
Logic Gate Symbol Operation
NOT The NOT gate is a logic gate
which produces an output of
logic 1 when the input is NOT
logic 1 (and vice versa).
OR The OR gate is a logic gate
which produces an output of
logic 1 when either input 1 OR
input 2 is a logic 1.
NOR The NOR gate is a logic gate
which produces an output of
logic 1 when neither input 1
NOR input 2 are logic 1.
AND The AND gate is a logic gate
which produces an output of
logic 1 when input 1 AND
input 2 are logic 1.
NAND The NAND gate is a logic gate
which produces an output of
logic 1 when input 1 AND
input 2 are NOT logic 1.
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Individual logic gates are represented by the symbols above; the inputs to the logic gate are
represented by the short wires on the left, and the output is represented by the short wire on
the right of the symbol (Note: all other gates beside the NOT gate have two inputs).

It is important to note that Logic Gate ICs operate between specific voltage ranges. The ranges
for Logic High (1) and Logic Low (0) for the type used in this lab is shown below. If the input or
output falls outside of the corresponding high and low logic ranges, the logic gate may not
function as it should and incorrect truth tables can be produced. To mitigate this, it is best that
you ground all unused pins of the IC in the circuit.

Detailed information about the Logic Gate IC you are using can be found online by accessing the
datasheet for the specific component that you are working with.

Procedure:
Introduction to the breadboard
The lab demonstrator will review how to use the breadboard. There is also information about
how the breadboard connections are made in the PHYS Lab Handouts document on OurVLE.

Introduction to Integrated Circuits

An Integrated Circuit, also known as an IC or a chip, is a set of electronic circuits on a small flat
piece of semiconductor material.

For this lab, the ICs represent various Logic Gates. The demonstrator will tell you what number
corresponds to which Logic Gate.

The Logic Gate IC has 14 pins, 7 on each side. The pins are numbered as shown, noting that the
notch is located at the top of the IC:
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The IC is powered by pin 7 (ground) and pin 14 (+5V). The input and output pin details that are
required for the lab are shown in the corresponding circuit diagrams. The IC must be powered in
order for it to work.

Section 1: Individual Logic Gates - Building the circuit

1. Identify the OR gate.
2. Place the IC in the breadboard, ensuring that it is placed over the spaces in the breadboard
and ensure that the legs are carefully placed in the holes of the breadboard.
3. Connect the circuit as shown in the diagram (Figure 1) below.
4. Have the demonstrator check the circuit before you continue.

Figure 1

5. Connect two wires to the input pins.

6. Connect Input 1 to the ground and Input 2 to the ground. This corresponds to inputs 0
and 0 in the truth table.
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7. Turn on the breadboard and note if the LED turns on. If it turns on, the output is a 1, if it
does not, the output is a 0.
8. Change Input 2 to 5V. This corresponds to inputs 0 and 1 in the truth table.
9. Turn on the breadboard and note if the LED turns on. If it turns on, the output is a 1, if it
does not, the output is a 0.
10. Continue for input 1 0 and 1 1.
11. Tabulate the truth table.
12. Repeat for the AND and NAND gates, using Figure 1 setup.
13. Repeat for the NOR gate, using the circuit diagram (Figure 2) below.

Figure 2
14. Repeat for the NOT gate, using the circuit diagram (Figure 3) below.

Figure 3
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Section 2: Combined Logic Gates

1. The demonstrator will show you a circuit built with 3 logic gates of the same type.
Qn 1. Which gate is used in the combination?
2. Construct the truth table for the gate created. The demonstrator will change the inputs.
Qn 2. Based on the truth table, what gate was created by the combination?
Qn 3. What are some of the precautions taken and possible sources of error in this lab?