Combinational Logic: 21 Important Facts You Should Know

Combinational Logic Definition

Combinational logic is a type of logic in which the output can only be modified by present input.

Combinational Logic Circuits| What is Combinational Logic Circuit

Combinational circuitry is a type of circuitry in which the current input can only modify the current output.  This circuit is also known as the clock independent circuit because for operation is doesn’t need a clock. This circuit doesn’t have a memory element or any feedback path, so the circuit can’t store any data. A combinational circuit can design by combining the logic gates. The circuitry used in combinational logic is used as coding, decoding, error detection, manipulation, etc. The basic circuits of combinational logic are multiplexer, decoder, encoder, shitter, Adder, Subtractor, etc.

image 2 1 2

Fig. Block diagram of a combinational circuitry.

A combinational logic circuit can have ‘n’ number of input variables and ‘m’ number of the output variable. For the ‘n’ input variable, there is 2n possible combinations of input variables. For each unique combination of input variables, there is only one possible output combination. The output function is always expressed in terms of the input variables. A truth table or Boolean equation can determine the relationship between the output and input of a combinational circuit.

Types of Combinational Logic Circuits

The classification of the combinational circuitry is based on the application they being used:

  1. Arithmetic and Logical circuit: Adder, Subtractor, Comparators, etc.
  2. Data Transmission: Multiplexer, Demultiplexer, Encoder, etc.
  3. Code Converter: Binary code converter, BCD code converter, etc.

Combination Logic Gates

Combinational logic gates are the fundamental gate which is combined to form any circuitry in the digital electronic. A logic gate is ideal for implementing an essential Boolean function—for example, gate, NAND gate, OR gate, NOR gate, etc.

Combinational logic gates
Image credit: “Logic gates” by Plusea is licensed under CC BY 2.0

AND gate:

AND gate has two or more input with one output. The output is high means ‘1’ when all the input is high; otherwise, the outcome is low means ‘0’.

image 3 2

Fig. Logic diagram of AND gate

OR gate:

OR gate has two or more input and one output. The output is high means ‘1’ when at least one input is high; otherwise, the result is low, which means ‘0’. But in commercial OR gate with 2,3 and $ input types is available.

image

Fig. Logic diagram of OR gate

NOT gate:

NOT gate has one input with one output. When the input is high means ‘1’, then the NOT gate’s output will be low, which means ‘0’.

image 4 1

Fig. Logic diagram of NOT gate

NAND gate:

NAND gate means NOT AND, here AND gate output feeds into NOT gate. NAND gate can be designed from the AND gate truth table by complementing the output variables. The result of the NAND gate is low when all the logic input ishigh. Otherwise, the output is high.

image 5 1

Fig. Logic diagram of NAND gate

NOR gate:

NOR means NOT OR gate. Here OR gate output is feed into NOT gate. NOR gate designed from the OR gate truth table by complimenting all the output variables. The output of a NOR gate is high when all inputs are low. Otherwise, the output is low.

image 6 1

Fig. Logic diagram of NOR gate

XOR gate:

XOR gate means Exclusive-OR gate, also known as EX-OR gate, it has two input and one output. For two input gates, the output of the XOR gate is high, which means ‘1’ when the input bit is unlike, and output is low means ‘0’ when there is like input.

image 7 1

Fig. Logic diagram of XOR gate

XNOR gate:

XNOR means Exclusive-NOR gate, also known as EX-NOR; it is NOT of EX-OR. The output of a two-input XNOR gate is high, which means ‘1’ when the input is like and Low when, unlike input.

image 8 1

Fig. Logic diagram of XNOR gate

Combinational Logic Examples| Combinational Logic Circuits Examples

Half Adder:

Half adder is an example of combinational circuitry, in which we can add two bits. It has two input, each of one bit and two output, in which one is carry output, and the other is for sum output.

image 9 1 1

Fig. Logic diagram of half adder designed with AND gate and XOR gate.

Full adder:

Full adder is an example of the arithmetic combinational circuit; here, we can add their bit at a time, and has two output sum and carry. In half adder, we could only add two bits at a time. A full adder overcomes that limitation; a full adder is essential for adding a huge binary number. However, one full adder can add an only one-bit binary number at a time, but by cascading the full adder, we can add a more extensive binary number. However, we can create a full adder by combining two half adders.

image 10 2

Fig. Block diagram of full adder

Half Subtractor:

A half subtractor is an arithmetic combinational circuit that performs subtraction of two input bit and provides two outputs, one as a difference and the other as borrow. Designing the subtractor circuit is mainly similar to that of an adder. I cannot consider any borrow input.

image 11 1

Fig. Logical diagram of half subtractor designed with AND gate, NOT gate and XOR gate.

Full Subtractor:

Full subtractor is also an arithmetic combinational circuitry, where we can perform subtraction of three one-bit inputs, inputs are the minuend, subtrahend, and a borrow. It generates two outputs, one as the difference of the input and the other as borrow.

image 12 1

Fig. Block diagram of full subtractor.

Multiplexer:

The multiplexer has multiple inputs and a single output, and it has a selector line that selects one input at a time as the requirement. It sends it to the output line, and for the ‘n’ number of input here, we need the ‘m’ number of the select line where n = 2m. It also has an enabled input line, enabling us to cascade multiplexer or further expansion as required.  It is also called a data selector.  16: 1 Is the largest multiplexer available in IC form.

image 13 2

Fig. Block diagram of Multiplexer.

Demultiplexer:

Demultiplexer has only one input and multiple outputs. It has a selector line that selects one output line at a time; with the select line, we can distribute the input signal into many output lines as our requirement. For the ‘n’ number of output line here, we need the ‘m’ number of the select line where n = 2m. Demultiplexer can work as a binary to decimal converter.

image 14 2

Fig. Block diagram of Demultiplexer.

Comparator:

A comparator is a combinational circuit where it can compare the magnitude of a two n-bit number and provide us with the relative result as output. It can have three outputs. For example, the input we provide A and B to the comparator where A and B can be an n-bit number the output of the comparator can be A<B, A=B, A>B. The circuit checks the magnitude of the input and compares it; there is a different output port for A=B, A>B, and A<B. When the comparing of the magnitude is done, the respective output get. As a result, the output can be active low or active high depends on the circuitry.

image 15 1

Fig. block diagram of n-bit comparator

Encoder:

The encoder is a combinational circuit. It has 2n input lines and has ‘n’ output lines corresponding to the n-bit code input.

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Fig. Block diagram of Encoder.

Decoder:

It is a circuit that converts binary n input lines to a maximum 2n output lines.

image 17 1

Fig. Block diagram of a decoder.

BCD adder:

A BCD adder is an arithmetic combinational circuit used to operate addition on BCD numbers, digits and produced output in BCD form. Sometimes the output of a BCD adder may be a valid BCD number, and then it converts that invalid BCD number into valid by adding 0110 to the invalid output.

BCD subtractor:

A BCD subtractor is to operate the subtraction on the BCD number. If we take two input BCD number, one as A and the other as B, subtraction of the BCD number is equivalent to the addition of a compliment of B to A. In BCD, subtraction 9’s complement or 10’s complement method is used.

ALU (Arithmetic Logical Unit):

 The circuitry of the Arithmetic logical unit is widely used as a combinational circuitry, and This circuitry is used to perform all the arithmetic and logical operation for and processor. ALU is known as the heart of a microprocessor or microcontroller.

File:ALU block.gif
Image Credit: “File:ALU block.gif” by Lambtron is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Combinational Logic with MSI and LSI

MSI stands for “Medium-scale integration”, it can contain 30 to 1000 electronic components in a single chip of IC. LSI stands for “Large scale integration”, It can have thousands of embedded components and integrated on a single IC.

Adder with MSI and LSI:

TRUTH TABLE:

ABCSC
00000
00110
01010
01101
10010
10101
11001
11111

Equation for sum:

S=AB’C+A’BC+AB

Carry:

C=AB’C+A’BC+AB

image 18 2

Fig. Implementation of Full-Adder in MSI or LSI circuitry.

Combinational Logic Design |Design a Combinational Logic Circuit

The Objective of Designing Combinational logic:

  • To get desired output from the circuitry.
  • An economic circuitry means with minimum expenses building a circuitry.
  • The complexity of the circuitry must be reduced as much as possible.
  • With a minimum number of gates, a digital circuit should be designed to minimize the overall circuit delay.

The combinational circuit can be designed with the multiplexer, procedure for designing:

  • Determine the number of input and output variables of the required circuit.
  • Get the truth table or logic diagram of the required circuit.
  • From the truth table or logic, the diagram determines the Boolean expression of the required circuit and expands it into minterms, and each defines a unique data line of the multiplexer.
  • For ‘n’ number of input, variables get 2n to 1 multiplexer.
  • With the help of a select line and input, you can get output from the multiplexer according to your desired circuit.

Combinational Circuit Design Using Logic Gates

Designing a combinational logic circuit can be done with gates, whereas gates are practically available as IC. For different gates, there are other IC available with different IC numbers.

Steps or procedure to get the required combinational logic circuit:

  • Determine the number of input or output variables required for the operation through the given truth table, Boolean statement, or expression.
  • Derive the expression in the form of a sum of product (SOP) or product of sum (POS).
  • Reduce the expression using the Boolean reduction method or K-map.
  • You can design the circuit with the required number of gates in the logic diagram through the reduced expression.

Functions of Combinational Logic

The functions of a combinational logic can be defined with Truth Table, Logic Diagram or Boolean Equation.

Truth Table: Truth table is a tabular list of all possible binary combinations of the input variable and related output combination of a logic circuit. There are only two possibilities of an input or output bit, i. e. ‘0’ and ‘1’. If the number of input is ‘n’, there will be 2n combinations. In this table, there is one row for representing input combinations as well as different rows for output combinations. This can be obtained from the logic diagram or Boolean expression of the circuitry.

Logic Diagram: The logic diagram is mainly composed of a basic logic gate and some symbolic representation of the circuit. It shows us the interconnection of logic gates, represents some signal lines (like enable, select line, control lines, etc.). It is used to define the functionality of circuitry. It can be obtained through Boolean expression or the truth table of the circuitry.

Boolean Expression: This is an equation formed from the combination of input and output variable; here, the expression is mainly used to define the input variable’s output variable. This expression can be derived from the truth table or the logic diagram of the circuitry.

Combinational Logic Circuit Real Life Examples

In real life, we can see the combinational circuit in calculator, RAM (Random Access Memory), Communication system, Arithmetic and logic unit in CPU (central processing Unit), Data communication, wi-fi, cell phone, Computer, etc. These are a real-life example of where the combinational circuit is used.

Analysis Procedure in Combinational Logic

Combinational circuit analysis is the analysis of a given logic circuit or a circuit diagram; from here, we can gather information regarding the circuit. An analysis is to verify the behaviours of the circuitry with its specifications; analysis of a circuit can be used to reduce the number of gates, optimise, reduce delay, or convert the circuit into another required form.

Analysis procedure of combinational logic:

  • Determine the output variable of the circuitry, and try to get a truth table or logic diagram of the circuit with input and output variables.
  • Through a truth table or logic diagram of the circuitry, define the Boolean function with the help of input and output variables.

Verilog for Loop Combinational Logic

What is a combinational loop?

The combinational loop is a loop in which the output of a combinational logic(which can consist of one or more combinational logic gates) is feedback to the same logic without any memory element in the feedback path.

Types of the combinational loop:

  • Not equivalent to latch
  • Equivalent to latch
image 19 1

Fig. Combinational loop type latch

Verilog for loop combinational logic:

If(sel==1’b0)

Y=I0;

else

Y=Y;

Here combinational loop implemented, which is equivalent to latch.

CMOS Combinational Logic Circuits| Combinational Logic Networks

Static CMOS is widely used for circuitry because it has good performance, low power consumption. A CMOS gate is a combination of a pull-up network (PUN) and Pull-down network (PDN); an input is distributed to both pull-up and pull-down circuits.

The function of the pull-up network is to connect the output with the voltage source when the output needs to be ‘1’. Whereas a pull-down network provides the connection between the ground to the output when the output is meant to be ‘0’. Pull-down network is designed with NMOS, and PMOS is used in PUN. NMOS is connected in series to form AND function, whereas when connected in parallel from OR function. Where PMOS in parallel form output as NAND function and series form NOR function.

image 20 2

Fig. CMOS diagram of half adder.

 CMOS is a complementary network. This means for parallel connection in pull-up network there is the series connection in pull-down network. The complementary gate is generally inverting. With one stage, it can perform a function such as NAND, NOR, and XNOR, and for non-inverting Boolean function such as AND, OR and XOR, it required an extra inverter stage. The number of transistors for implementation of n- input logic gate is 2n.

MUX Combinational Logic

MUX i.e., Multiplexer is a combinational logic design, it has only one output and can have multiple input. It has ‘n’ select line for2n input, selector line s use to select which input line will be connected to the output line.

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Fig. Block diagram of a 4:1 multiplexor

TRUTH TABEL OF 4:1 MULTIPLEXOR:

S1S2Y
00I0
01I1
10I2
11I3

Simple Combination Lock Using Logic Gates

A simple combinational look is a circuit designed with XOR and NOR gate, where XOR gate is a bit comparator, and NOR gate is used as a controlled inverter. We can use XOR to check and compare the input and the key code bit by bit; if the input completely matches with the key code, the lock will be unlocked. When the inputs and not the same XOR provide ‘1’ as an output, now the output will go through the NOR gate. In this way, we can design a simple lock using gates.

Combinational Logic Circuits Applications

Combinational logic circuits are the basic circuit in digital electronic even sequential circuit is designed from the combinational circuit with the memory element.

These circuits are used for designing the ROM of a computer or a microprocessor. ROM (Read Only Memory) is designed with Encoder, Decoder, Multiplexer, Adder Circuitry, Subtractor Circuitry, etc., which are all combinational circuits.

Whereas ALU (arithmetic and logic unit) in the processor, which is also from the combinational circuit, mainly consists of Adder, Subtractor, etc., to perform every arithmetic operation.

Encoder and decoder are used to convert one form of data to another (like from Binary to Decimal); these are commonly used in communication for transferring data from one end to another. This circuit provides synchronization if needed; with the help of these, we can perform any operation with greater accuracy.

A multiplexer is used to transfer data in a single line. This circuit is used in broadcasting, telegraphy, etc.

Disadvantages of Combinational Logic Circuits

The limitation or disadvantage of half-adder is overcome by a full adder, whereas the full subtractor overcomes the restriction of half subtractor.

Disadvantages of Multiplexer: Limitation of using the port, which can use in a specific sequence. The circuitry can cause delay.

The disadvantage of Demultiplexer: wastage of bandwidth, delay can from due to synchronization.

Disadvantages of Encoder: Complex circuitry can be easily subjected to magnetic interference.

Overall, the combinational circuit is complex as the circuit is getting bigger; in bigger circuitry, there can be high propagation delay, it doesn’t have any memory element.

Combinational logic circuits MCQ | Combinational logic circuit problems and solutions | FAQ

What is combinational logic What are its characteristics ?

Described in Combinational logic circuit section.

What is 1*4 Demultiplexer in Combinational Logic Circuits ?

A 1 to 4 Demultiplexer has two select line, four output and one input. The input data connected to the output line according to the select line.

image 14 1

Fig. Block diagram of 1:4 Demultiplexer

Truth Table:

INPUTS   OUTPUTS 
S1S0Y3Y2Y1Y0
000001
010010
100100
111000

Can you ever have metastability with pure combinational logic ?

Yes, there can be a metastability state for some time in pure combinational logic.

             Metastability refers to the state which cannot be defined as ‘0’ or ‘1’. Usually, this happens to a circuit when the voltage is stuck between ‘0’ and ‘1’, which can cause oscillation, uncertain output, unclear transition, etc. When such a signal goes through the combinational circuit, it can violate basic gates’ specification and spread through the overall circuit.

For example, when taking the given circuit, as we see here, there is an AND gate and a NOT gate, practically a circuit has some propagation delay; as AND gate has some propagation delay, the NOT gate has to. As we know, the output should be defined at all times, but there is a time interval T where the output state or the transition state is not definite or undesirable. That state at that time interval can be considered as metastability of a pure combinational logic circuit.

Design consideration of different combinational logic circuits in VHDL.

For designing circuitry, you must know the basic of VHDL, such as representing a Boolean function, representing a fundamental gate, etc.

Here we considering full-adder as an example:

In VHDL:

Entity FullAdder is

Port (A, B, C: in bit;

D, S : out bit);

end FullAdder

Advantages of design and testing of combinational logic circuits using self in test scheme

Advantages:

  • Lower cost for testing.
  • Fault can be easily detected.
  • Shorter test time.
  • For higher reliability on the circuit, a self-test scheme s used.

What is the diffrence between combinational and sequential logic ciruit?

To know about sequential logic click here.

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