2 .

1 COMBINATIONAL CIRCUITS
Jean-Pierre Deschamps
University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
 2 .1
1. Combinational circuits
Digital circuits that implement one or several switching functions, in such a way that, at
any time, the output signal values only depend on the input signal values at the same
time.
time

Combinational
circuit

2
 temp onoff
0 ON
This is NOT the definition of a
combinational circuit 1 ON

18 ON
19 ON
20 DONTT CHANGE
DON
21 OFF
22 OFF

49 OFF
50 OFF

3
 2 .1
1. Combinational circuits
Adder of two 4-bit numbers (4-bit adder)

4-bit adder

s <= X + Y + carryIN;
if s > 1111 then Z(3 downto 0) <= s - 10000; carryOUT <= 1;
else Z(3 downto 0) <= s; carryOUT <= 0;
end if;
4
 2 .1
2.1 Synthesis
y from a table: ROM
Adder of two 4-bit numbers (4-bit adder)

4-bit adder

5
 .
TRUTH TABLE

29w
words (512),, 5 bits per w
word ROM
6
2.1 Synthesis
y from a table: ROM
CC with n inputs and m outputs ROM with 2n words, m bits per word

ROM 2n m-bit words

Combinational
circuit

BUT generally inefficient !

7
 2 .1
(quizz))
(q

Minimum size (number of words, number of bits per word of a ROM that implements
an 8-input,
p , 16-output
p combinational circuit?

1. 8 16-bit words
2
2. 23 16-bit
16 bit words
d
3. 28 16-bit words
4. 16 8-bit words
5. 24 8-bit words
6. 216 8-bit words

8
 2 .1
2.2 Synthesis
y from a table: logic
g Gates

4-bit adder

2-level hierarchy

9
 2 .1
2.2 Synthesis
y from a table: logic
g Gates

x x
z z x z
y y

x y z x y z
0 0 0 0
0 1 0 1
1 0 1 0 INV
1 1 1 1
AND OR

10
 2 .1
2.2 Synthesis
y from a table: logic
g Gates

c0 = 1 iff
((x y ci = 011)) OR ((x y ci = 101)) OR ((x y ci = 110)) OR ((x y ci = 111))

x y ci = 011 iff
(x = 0) AND (y = 1) AND (ci = 1)

x = 0 iff INV(x) = 1

11
 2 .1
2.2 Synthesis
y from a table: logic
g Gates
c0 = 1 iff
(x y ci = 011) OR (x y ci = 101) OR (x y ci = 110) OR (x y ci = 111)

x y ci = 011 iff
(x = 0) AND (y = 1) AND (ci = 1) (x y ci = 011)

x = 0 iff INV(x) = 1
(x y ci = 101)

(x y ci = 110)

(x y ci = 111) 12
 2 .1
2.2 Synthesis
y from a table: logic
g Gates
c0 = 1 iff
(x y ci = 011) OR (x y ci = 101) OR (x y ci = 110) OR (x y ci = 111)
q
equivalent to
c0 = 1 iff
(x y ci = 011) OR (x y ci = 101) OR (x y = 11)

13
 2 .1

We need a tool that helps us to minimize the number of gates:

BOOLEAN ALGEBRA

14
 2 .1
((Exercise)) Synthesize the function z with
logic gates.

15
 2 .1
((solution)) Synthesize the function z with
logic gates.

z = 1 iff
(x y ci = 001) OR (x y ci = 010) OR (x y ci = 100) OR (x y ci = 111)

(x y ci = 001)

(x y ci = 010)

(x y ci = 100)

(x y ci = 111)
16
 2 .1
SUMMARY
Combinational circuits.
ROM (table) implementation.
A first approach to logic gate implementation.

17
2 .1

18
2 .2 BOOLEAN ALGEBRA
Jean-Pierre Deschamps
University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
 2 .2
1. Boolean algebra
g

A Boolean algebra B is a finite set over which two binary operations + (sum) and (product) and
satisfy five postulates.

20
 2 .2
1. Boolean algebra
g
P 1 - Operations + and are internal: a , b B , a + b B y a b B

P 2 To each operation corresponds a neutral element: a B , a + 0 = a, a 1 = a

P 3 To each element corresponds an inverse element: a B , a B | a + a = 1, a a = 0

P 4 Operations + and are conmutative: a + b = b + a, a b = b a

P 5 Operations + and are distributive: a (b + c ) = a b + a c, a + b c = ( a + b) ( a + c )

21
 2 .2
1. Boolean algebra
g
The set {0, 1} is a Boolean algebra if the operations are defined as follows:

ab ab a+b a
00 0 0 1
01 0 1 1
10 0 1 0
11 1 1 0

22
1. Boolean algebra
g

Example: check that a(b+c) = ab + ac

abc b+c a(b+c) ab ac ab+ ac

ab ab a+b a 000 0 0 0 0 0
00 0 0 1 001 1 0 0 0 0
01 0 1 1 010 1 0 0 0 0
011 1 0 0 0 0
10 0 1 0
100 0 0 0 0 0
11 1 1 0 101 1 1 0 1 1
110 1 1 1 0 1
111 1 1 1 1 1

23
1. Boolean algebra
g

Comment:

a(b+c) = ab + ac =>

|||

24
1. Boolean algebra
g
The set of n-variable switching functions

{0 1}n {0,
F: {0, {0 1}
is also a Boolean algebra. Given two switching functions f and g, then f + g, f g andf are
defined as follows:
(f + g)(x0, x1, , xn-1) = f(x0, x1, , xn-1) + g(x0, x1, , xn-1),
(f g)(x0, x1, , xn-1) = f(x0, x1, , xn-1) g(x0, x1, , xn-1),

The neutral elements are the constant functions 0 and 1.

25
 2 .2
2. Some useful properties
p p
1 Neutral element properties: 0 = 1, 1 = 0
2 Idempotence:
p a + a = a, a a = a

a = a + 0 = a + (a a)
a) = (a + a)
a)(a
(a ++a)
a) = P1 - a, b B, a + b B y a b B
(a + a)1 = a + a
P2 - a B, a + 0 = a, a 1 = a
P3 - a B, a B | a + a = 1, a a = 0
P4 - a + b = b + a, a b = b a
P5 - a (b + c) = a b + a c, a + b c = (a + b) (a + c)

26
 2 .2
(Exercise)
Demonstrate that a a = a
Hint: Use the second part of P2
P2, P3 and P5
P5.

P1 - a, b B, a + b B y a b B
P2 - a B, a + 0 = a, a 1 = a
P3 - a B, a B | a + a = 1, a a = 0
P4 - a + b = b + a, a b = b a
P5 - a (b + c) = a b + a c, a + b c = (a + b) (a + c)

27
 2 .2
(Solution)
Demonstrate that a a = a
Hint: Use the second part of P2
P2, P3 and P5
P5.

a = a 1 = a (a ++a)
a) = (a a) + (a a)
a) = P1 - a, b B, a + b B y a b B
(a a) + 0 = a a
P2 - a B, a + 0 = a, a 1 = a
P3 - a B, a B | a + a = 1, a a = 0
a = a + 0 = a + ((a a)) = ((a + a)(a
) ( +a)) =
(a + a)1 = a + a P4 - a + b = b + a, a b = b a
P5 - a (b + c) = a b + a c, a + b c = (a + b) (a + c)

28
 2 .2
2. Some useful properties
p p
1 Neutral element properties: 0 = 1, 1 = 0
2 Idempotence:
p a + a = a, a a = a

3 Involution: a = a
4 Asociativity: a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c, a(bc) = (ab)c
5 Absortion law: a + ab = a, a (a + b) = a
6 - (nameless): a + ab = a + b, a ( a + b ) = ab

7 - de Morgan law: ( a + b ) = ab, ab = a + b

8 generalized de Morgan law: (a1 + a2 + ... + a n ) = a1a2 ...an , a1a2 ...an = a1 + a2 + ... + an

29
 2 .2
(quizz)
What Boolean expression is equivalent to the following : a (b + cd ) + a.b ?
Hint: Use postulates and properties

1. a.b + b.c + d
2. a.b
3. a.b + b.c + d
4. a.b + b.c + b.d

30
 2 .2
3. Boolean functions and truth tables
a) Any Boolean function can be explicitely defined by a truth table

f ( a , b, c ) = b.c + a.b abc c b c a a b f

000 1 0 1 0 0
001 0 0 1 0 0
010 1 1 1 1 1
011 0 0 1 1 1
100 1 0 0 0 0
101 0 0 0 0 0
110 1 1 0 0 1
111 0 0 0 0 0

31
 2 .2
3. Boolean functions and truth tables
b) Given a truth table can we find an equivalent Boolean function?...
Answer is YES

LITERAL

A variable or an inverted variable : a, a, b, b, c, c, ...

n-variable MINTERM

A product of n literals such that each variable appears only once. Example: if n=3, there
are eight minterms.

a.b.c, a.b.c , a.b .c, a.b .c , a .b.c, a .b.c , a .b .c, a .b .c

32
 2 .2
3. Boolean functions and truth tables
Given a MINTERM m, there is one, an only one, set of variable values such that m = 1.
With n = 3:
a b c
a.b.c = 1 0 0 0 m0 = a.b.c
a.b.c = 1 0 0 1 m1 = a.b.c
a.b.c = 1 0 1 0 m2 = a.b.c
a.b.c = 1 0 1 1 m3 = a.b.c
a.b.c = 1 1 0 0 m4 = a.b.c
a.b.c = 1 1 0 1 m5 = a.b.c
a.b.c = 1 1 1 0 m6 = a.b.c
a.b.c = 1 1 1 1 m7 = a.b.c
33
(quiz)
What expression corresponds to minterm-5 (m5 ) of n = 4 variables?

1. a.b.c.d
2. a.b.c
3. a.b.c.d
4. a.b.c.d

34
 2 .2
3. Boolean functions and truth tables
MINTERMS of an n-variable Boolean function f ?
= minterms that correspond to the 1s of f.

a b c f(a,b,c)
0 0 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 1 0 1
0 1 1 1
1 0 0 0
1 0 1 0
1 1 0 1
1 1 1 0
35
 2 .2
3. Boolean functions and truth tables
Canonical sum of products representation of an n-variable Boolean function.

Any Boolean function can be represented by a b c f(a,b,c)

the sum of its minterm.
0 0 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 1 0 1 m2 = a.b.c
f ( a, b, c ) = ( m2 , m3 , m6 )
0 1 1 1 m3 = a.b.c
f ( a, b, c ) = a.b.c + a.b.c + a.b.c
1 0 0 0
1 0 1 0
1 1 0 1 m6 = a.b.c
1 1 1 0
36
 2 .2
3. Boolean functions and truth tables
if ((a=1 and b=1 and c=0) or (a=0 and b=1)) then f=1;
else f=0;
end if;

a b c f(a,b,c)
0 0 0 0
0 0 1 0 f ( a, b, c ) = a.b.c + a.b.c + a.b.c =
0 1 0 1
= a.b( c + c ) + b.c.( a + a ) = a.b + b.c
0 1 1 1
1 0 0 0
f ( a, b, c ) = ( m2 , m3 , m6 )
1 0 1 0
f ( a, b, c ) = a.b.c + a.b.c + a.b.c
1 1 0 1
1 1 1 0

37
4. Example: 4 bit-adder
2 .2

4-bit adder

38
4. Example: 4 bit-adder
2 .2

39
4. Example: 4 bit-adder
2 .2

40
SUMMARY
Boolean algebra. Postulates and properties.
Tabular representation of Boolean functions.
Minterms and canonical sum of products expression.
Circuit generation from a functional description:
(functional description truth table Boolean function(s) circuit)

41
42
2 .3 NAND, NOR, XOR, XNOR, TRI-STATE
Jean-Pierre Deschamps
University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
1. NAND, NOR
2 .3

ab NAND(a,b)
NAND(a b) NOR(a,b)
NOR(a b)
00 1 1 Algebraic symbols:
01 1 0 NAND(a, b) = a b,
10 1 0
11 0 0 O ( b) = a b.
NOR(a, b

44
1. NAND, NOR
2 .3
NAND and NOR gates are universal modules. For example, with NAND gates:

Exercise: the same for NOR gates 45

1. NAND, NOR
2 .3

3-input, 4-input, NAND and NOR gates can be defined:

NAND(a b
NAND(a, b, c) = 0 iff a = b = c = 1

NAND(a, b, c, d) = 0 iff a = b = c = d = 1

NOR(a, b, c) = 0 iff (a = 1) OR (b = 1) OR (c = 1)

NOR(a, b, c, d) = 0 iff (a = 1) OR (b = 1) OR (c = 1) OR (d = 1)
46
1. NAND, NOR
2 .3

BUT NAND and NOR are not associative operations. In particular:

NAND(1, 1, 1) = 0 NAND(NAND(1 1),

NAND(NAND(1, 1) 1) = NAND(0,
NAND(0 1) = 1

NOR(0 0,
NOR(0, 0 0) = 1 NOR(NOR(0 0)
NOR(NOR(0, 0), 0) = NOR (1
(1, 0) = 0

47
 2 .3
(quiz)
Which of the following circuits implements the AND function z = ab ?

48
 2 .3
(Exercise)
Implement the same function with NAND gates.

49
 2 .3
(solution)
Implement the same function with NAND gates.

50
1. NAND, NOR
2 .3

Why do we use NAND gates ( or NOR gates) instead of AND and OR gates?

Iff we use of
f the
h shelf
h lf components (laboratory)
(l b ) we only
l need
d one type off gate.
In CMOS technology
- an AND ggate is implemented
p with a NAND and an INV,,

- an OR gate is implemented with a NOR and an INV.

=> Within an IC (Integrated Circuit) NAND and NOR are cheaper than AND and OR.

51
 2 .3
2. XOR,, XNOR

ab XOR(a,b) XNOR(a,b)
00 0 1
01 1 0
10 1 0
11 0 1

Algebraic symbols:
XOR (= eXclusive OR): XOR(a, b) = 1 if a b;
XOR(a, b) = a b,
XNOR ((= eXclusive NOR): XNOR(a, b) = 1 if a = b.
( O ( b) = a b)
(XNOR(a,

52
 2 .3
2. XOR,, XNOR
Equivalent definition:
XOR(a, b) = (a + b) mod 2 = a b,
XNOR(a, b) = INV(a b).
=> 3-input, 4-input, XOR and XNOR gates can be defined:
XOR( b,
XOR(a, b c)) = (a d 2 = a b c, XNOR(a,
( + b + c)) mod XNOR( b, INV( b c),
b c)) = INV(a )
XOR(a, b, c, d) = (a + b + c + d) mod 2 = a b c d, XNOR(a, b, c, d) = INV(a b c d),

XOR is an associative operation =>

53
 2 .3
2. XOR,, XNOR
XOR y NXOR are not universal modules,
useful functions.

First example: magnitud comparator. Given two 4-input vectors a = a3 a2 a1 a0 and b = b3 b2 b1 b0,
generate comp = 1 iff a = b.

Algorithm
if (a
( 3 b3) or (a
( 2 b2) or (a
( 1 b1) or (a
( 0 b0)
then comp <= 0;
else comp <= 1;
end if;;

54
 2 .3
2. XOR,, XNOR
Observation:
Second example: parity bit generation. a vector ak-1 ak-2 a0 has an even
Given an n-input vector
number of 1s
1 s iff
a = an-1 an-2 a1 a0 (ak-1 + ak-2 + + a0) mod 2 = 0,
its parity bit is and additional bit an such that the and
extended vector
ak-1 ak-2 a0 = 0.
aext = an an-1 an-2 a1 a0
Algorithm Parity bit generation
has an even number of 1s. It is used for a(n) <= a(n-1) xor a(n-2) xor xor a(0);
error detection purpose:
Algorithm Parity check
error <=
<
a(n) xor a(n-1) xor a(n-2) xor xor a(0);
55
 2 .3
2. XOR,, XNOR

56
 2 .3
2. XOR,, XNOR
The main application of XOR gates is Arithmetic:

1-bit adder is the basic component of practically all arithmetic circuits;

It computes two functions:

carryOUT = 1 iff x + y + carryIN 2;
2
s = (x + y + carryIN) mod 2 = x y carryIN.

57
 2 .3
2. XOR,, XNOR

Condition x + y + carryIN 2 is equivalent to

((x = 1) and (y = 1))

or ((carryIN = 1) and (x y));

Thus

carryOUT = xy + carryIN (x y),

s = x y carryIN.

58
 2 .3
2. XOR,, XNOR

4-bit adder (new version):

59
 2 .3
3. BUFFER TRI-STATE,, INVERSOR TRI-STATE

cx y
00 High impedance (Z)
01 High impedance (Z)
10 0
11 1

cx y
00 High impedance (Z)
01 High impedance (Z)
10 1
11 0

60
 2 .3
3. BUFFER TRI-STATE,, INVERSOR TRI-STATE

cx y
00 0
01 1
10 High impedance (Z)
11 High
g impedance
p (Z)

cx y
00 1
01 0
10 High impedance (Z)
11 High impedance (Z)

61
 2 .3
3. BUFFER TRI-STATE,, INVERSOR TRI-STATE

Main application: BUS

Example: 4-bit bus

cA = 1 and cB = 0: circuit A circuit C;

cA = 0 and cB = 1: circuit B circuit C;

62
nombre smbolo funcin 2 .3
AND

OR

INV

NAND

NOR

XOR

XNOR

Tri-state

63
 2 .3
SUMMARY
NAND, NOR. Universal module concept.
XOR, XNOR
Tri-state buffers. Bus.

64