A simple circuit of NOT gate which is realized using bipolar transistor is given below.

BC549 is a low frequency, low power general purpose npn transistor designed for switching applications. In the above circuit, transistor is in common emitter configuration. Main property of this configuration is that it provides 180 deg phase shift. So if the input is high the output will be low. Biasing is done in such a way that the operating point is near the origin of the transfer characteristics. Thus when a high voltage is given to the base, the transistor enters into the active mode and quickly get into saturation. Thus a current will flow through R2 and R3. Due to this the collector voltage goes low as result of the drop across the R2. Now if a low voltage is given to the base, transistor is cut off and no current flows through R1and R2. Thus the collector voltage is almost Vcc. This is how it works as a not gate. Input and the output of the circuit given above are TTL compatible. Equivalent circuits are shown below

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