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Digital Logic Systems – Volume II

Lee Layton, P.E.


Course Outline

The course begins with a discussion on the concepts of logic and how positive and negative logic is applied.  From this discussion, we move into a detailed explanation of the fundamental logic gates.  These gates, AND, NAND, OR, NOR, form the bases for virtually all digital logic circuits.  The course also covers the theorems and concepts of Boolean algebra and how it can be applied to build a digital circuit.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

After taking this course you should:

Intended Audience

This course is intended for electrical engineers and others who want to understand how digital computer logic systems work.

Benefit to Attendees

This second course in the series on digital computer logic goes into great detail about the fundamental logic components.  A thorough understanding of these devices is necessary to build and understand digital logic systems.

Course Introduction

In the first course in this series, Digital Logic Circuits, Volume I, Introduction to Logic, we learned that the two digits of the binary number system can be represented by the state or condition of electrical or electronic devices. A binary 1 can be represented by a switch that is closed, a lamp that is lit, or a transistor that is conducting. Conversely, a binary 0 would be represented by the same devices in the opposite state: the switch open, the lamp off, or the transistor in cut-off.

In this, the second course in the series, we will study the four basic logic gates that make up the foundation for digital equipment.  We will see the types of logic that are used in equipment to accomplish the desired results.

This course includes an introduction to Boolean algebra, the logic mathematics system used with digital equipment. Certain Boolean expressions are used in explanation of the basic logic gates, and their expressions will be used as each logic gate is introduced.

Course Content

This course content is in the following PDF document:

Digital Logic Systems – Volume II

Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.

Course Summary

Building on what we learned in the first course in this series, we have now covered the application of binary logic to the fundamental logic gates used in digital logic systems.  This information, along with an understanding of Boolean algebra will help us understand the logic systems that are designed to actually add, subtract, and store numbers.  These functions are covered in Volume III of this series.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.