Logic Gates, Boolean Algebra, and Minimization Techniques

Logic Gates, Boolean Algebra, and Minimization Techniques

Contents

Describe Basic Logic Gates: AND Gate ,OR Gate, and NOT Gate 1

Describe Ex-OR Ex-NOR Gates 5

Differentiate Basic Logic Gates and Universal Gates 7

Describe: NAND Gate and NOR Gate 10

Construct Basic Logic Gates using Universal Gates 11

Describe Boolean Algebra 14

Describe Boolean Algebra Operations 14

Explain De-Morgan’s Law 15

Describe Duality Theorem 16

Discuss Sum-of-Product (SOP) and Product-of-Sum (POS) forms and their expansion to Standard forms 17

Convert a Boolean Expression to Logic Diagram and Vice-Versa 17

Explain the NAND and NOR Logic Implementation 18

Describe 2 Variable K- Map 19

Describe 3 variable K-map 19

Describe 4 variables K-Map 19

Explain the realisation of functions using K-Map 19

Explain Prime Implicants and Essential Prime Implicants. 19

Describe Redundant Prime implicants 19

Explain False Prime Implicants and Essential False Prime Implicants 19

Describe Redundant False prime Implicants 19

Describe 5-variable K-Map 19

Describe 6 variable K-Map 19

Describe the Quine–McCluskey Method (Q-Map) to reduce Boolean Expression. 19

Explain the realisation of functions using Q-Map 19

Describe Basic Logic Gates: AND Gate ,OR Gate, and NOT Gate

The AND gate is so named because, if 0 is called “false” and 1 is called “true,” the gate acts in the same way as the logical “and” operator. The following illustration and table show the circuit symbol and logic combinations for an AND gate. (In the symbol, the input terminals are at left and the output terminal is at right.) The output is “true” when both inputs are “true.” Otherwise, the output is “false.” In other words, the output is 1 only when both inputs one AND two are 1.

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The OR gate gets its name from the fact that it behaves after the fashion of the logical inclusive “or.” The output is “true” if either or both of the inputs are “true.” If both inputs are “false,” then the output is “false.” In other words, for the output to be 1, at least input one OR two must be 1.

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The XOR ( exclusive-OR ) gate acts in the same way as the logical “either/or.” The output is “true” if either, but not both, of the inputs are “true.” The output is “false” if both inputs are “false” or if both inputs are “true.” Another way of looking at this circuit is to observe that the output is 1 if the inputs are different, but 0 if the inputs are the same.

A logical inverter, sometimes called a NOT gate to differentiate it from other types of electronic inverter devices, has only one input. It reverses the logic state. If the input is 1, then the output is 0. If the input is 0, then the output is 1.
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The NAND gate operates as an AND gate followed by a NOT gate. It acts in the manner of the logical operation “and” followed by negation. The output is “false” if both inputs are “true.” Otherwise, the output is “true.”

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The NOR gate is a combination OR gate followed by an inverter. Its output is “true” if both inputs are “false.” Otherwise, the output is “false.”

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Describe Ex-OR Ex-NOR Gates

Basically the “Exclusive-NOR Gate” is a combination of the Exclusive-OR gate and the NOT gate but has a truth table similar to the standard NOR gate in that it has an output that is normally at logic level “1” and goes “LOW” to logic level “0” when ANY of its inputs are at logic level “1”.

However, an output “1” is only obtained if BOTH of its inputs are at the same logic level, either binary “1” or “0”. For example, “00” or “11”. This input combination would then give us the Boolean expression of: Q = (A ⊕ B) = A.B + A.B

Then the output of a digital logic Exclusive-NOR gate ONLY goes “HIGH” when its two input terminals, A and B are at the “SAME” logic level which can be either at a logic level “1” or at a logic level “0”. In other words, an even number of logic “1’s” on its inputs gives a logic “1” at the output, otherwise it is at logic level “0”.

Then this type of gate gives an output “1” when its inputs are “logically equal” or “equivalent” to each other, which is why an Exclusive-NOR gate is sometimes called an Equivalence Gate.

The logic symbol for an Exclusive-NOR gate is simply an Exclusive-OR gate with a circle or “inversion bubble”, ( ο ) at its output to represent the NOT function. Then the Logic Exclusive-NOR Gate is the reverse or “Complementary” form of the Exclusive-OR gate, (A ⊕ B) we have seen previously.

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The Exclusive-NOR Gate, also written as: “Ex-NOR” or “XNOR”, function is achieved by combining standard gates together to form more complex gate functions and an example of a 2-input Exclusive-NOR gate is given below.

The Digital Logic “Exclusive NOR” Gate

2-input Exclusive NOR Gate

Giving the Boolean expression of: Q = AB + AB

The logic function implemented by a 2-input Ex-NOR gate is given as “when both A AND B are the SAME” will give an output at Q. In general, an Exclusive-NOR gate will give an output value of logic “1” ONLY when there are an EVEN number of 1’s on the inputs to the gate (the inverse of the Ex-OR gate) except when all its inputs are “LOW”.

Then an Ex-NOR function with more than two inputs is called an “even function” or modulo-2-sum (Mod-2-SUM), not an Ex-NOR. This description can be expanded to apply to any number of individual inputs as shown below for a 3-input Exclusive-NOR gate.

3-input Exclusive NOR Gate

Giving the Boolean expression of: Q = ABC + ABC + ABC + ABC

We said previously that the Ex-NOR function is a combination of different basic logic gates Ex-OR and a NOT gate, and by using the 2-input truth table above, we can expand the Ex-NOR function to: Q = A ⊕ B = (A.B) + (A.B) which means we can realise this new expression using the following individual gates.

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Differentiate Basic Logic Gates and Universal Gates

Basic logic gates and universal gates are two types of digital logic gates used in digital circuits.

Basic logic gates are the building blocks of digital circuits and perform basic operations on binary inputs. The three basic logic gates are the AND gate, OR gate, and NOT gate. These gates are simple to understand and implement, and are commonly used in digital circuits.

Universal gates, on the other hand, are gates that can be used to implement any Boolean function, which means that they can be used to implement any of the basic logic gates. Universal gates include NAND (NOT-AND) and NOR (NOT-OR) gates. These gates are more versatile and can be used to create more complex digital circuits.

The main difference between basic logic gates and universal gates is that basic logic gates perform basic operations on binary inputs, while universal gates can be used to perform any Boolean function. This makes universal gates more powerful and versatile, but also more complex to understand and implement.

Here’s a tabular comparison between basic logic gates and universal gates:

Feature Basic Logic Gates Universal Gates
Types of Gates Basic logic gates include NOT, AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR gates. Universal gates include NAND and NOR gates.
Functionality Perform basic logical operations on inputs. Can be used to implement any Boolean function.
Representation Represented by individual symbols for each gate. Represented by a single symbol for the universal gate.
Construction Basic logic gates are constructed using transistors or electronic components. Universal gates can be constructed using basic logic gates.
Usefulness Widely used in various digital systems and circuits. Particularly useful in digital circuit design and optimization.
Implementation Each gate has its specific function and purpose. Universal gates can be combined to implement any Boolean function.
Complexity Basic logic gates have varying levels of complexity. Universal gates may have a higher level of complexity due to their versatility.
Cost Cost depends on the type and complexity of the gate. Cost may be higher for universal gates due to their versatility.
Examples AND gate, OR gate, NOT gate, etc. NAND gate, NOR gate.

Basic Logic Gates:

Basic logic gates are fundamental building blocks of digital circuits. They perform specific logical operations, such as AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR, based on their inputs. These gates are widely used in various digital systems and are represented by individual symbols.

Universal Gates:

Universal gates, specifically NAND (NOT-AND) and NOR (NOT-OR) gates, have the unique property of being able to implement any Boolean function. They can be used to construct any logic gate or circuit, making them highly versatile. Universal gates can be represented by a single symbol and are particularly useful in digital circuit design and optimization. They can be constructed using combinations of basic logic gates.

While basic logic gates have specific functions, universal gates offer more flexibility and can simplify circuit design by reducing the number of gate types required. However, universal gates may have a higher level of complexity and potentially higher cost compared to basic logic gates.

Describe: NAND Gate and NOR Gate

The NAND gate operates as an AND gate followed by a NOT gate. It acts in the manner of the logical operation “and” followed by negation. The output is “false” if both inputs are “true.” Otherwise, the output is “true.”

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The NOR gate is a combination OR gate followed by an inverter. Its output is “true” if both inputs are “false.” Otherwise, the output is “false.”

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Construct Basic Logic Gates using Universal Gates

Universal gates are those gates which can be used to implement any other gate. The two most commonly used universal gates are NAND and NOR gates.

Here is how to construct basic logic gates using these universal gates:

  1. NOT Gate using NAND Gate:

A NOT gate has only one input and one output. Its output is the inverse of its input.

The truth table for a NOT gate is:

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A NAND gate has two inputs and one output. Its output is the inverse of the AND function of its inputs.

The truth table for a NAND gate is:

To construct a NOT gate using a NAND gate, connect both inputs of the NAND gate together and use that as the input to the NOT gate. The output of the NAND gate is the output of the NOT gate.

NOT Gate using NAND Gate Circuit:

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  1. NOT Gate using NOR Gate:

To construct a NOT gate using a NOR gate, connect both inputs of the NOR gate together and use that as the input to the NOT gate. The output of the NOR gate is the output of the NOT gate.

NOT Gate using NOR Gate Circuit:

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  1. AND Gate using NAND Gate:

An AND gate has two inputs and one output. Its output is the AND function of its inputs.

The truth table for an AND gate is:

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To construct an AND gate using NAND gates, first connect both inputs of the AND gate to the inputs of two separate NAND gates. Then connect the outputs of those NAND gates to a third NAND gate. The output of the third NAND gate is the output of the AND gate.

AND Gate using NAND Gates Circuit:

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  1. OR Gate using NOR Gate:

An OR gate has two inputs and one output. Its output is the OR function of its inputs.

The truth table for an OR gate is:

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Describe Boolean Algebra

Boolean algebra is a mathematical system for representing and manipulating binary values (i.e., values that can only be 0 or 1). It was Boolean algebra is a branch of algebra that deals with binary variables and logic operations. It was developed by George Boole in the 19th century and has found numerous applications in computer science, electronics, and other fields.

The fundamental building blocks of Boolean algebra are Boolean variables, which can have one of two possible values: true or false, often represented as 1 or 0, respectively. These variables are combined using Boolean operators, which include AND, OR, NOT, XOR, and NAND, among others.

Boolean algebra operates on these variables and operators using rules of logic, such as the commutative, associative, and distributive properties, as well as the laws of De Morgan. These rules allow Boolean expressions to be simplified and manipulated, which is useful for designing digital circuits and programming logic.

Boolean algebra has many applications, including the design and analysis of digital circuits, computer programming, and the study of formal logic. It is also used in fields such as electrical engineering, telecommunications, and cryptography.

Overall, Boolean algebra provides a rigorous and systematic way to reason about logical propositions and operations, making it an essential tool for many fields that rely on precise and reliable logic.

Describe Boolean Algebra Operations

Boolean Algebra is a mathematical system that deals with values that are either true or false, represented as 1 and 0, respectively. The primary operations in Boolean Algebra are:

  1. AND: This operation returns true if both the inputs are true and false otherwise. It is represented by the symbol “^” or “&”.
  2. OR: This operation returns true if either of the inputs are true and false if both inputs are false. It is represented by the symbol “v” or “|”.
  3. NOT: This operation returns the opposite of the input value. If the input is true, the output is false, and vice versa. It is represented by the symbol “!” or “~”.
  4. XOR: This operation returns true if exactly one of the inputs is true and false otherwise. It is represented by the symbol “⊕”.
  5. NAND: This operation is the negation of the AND operation and returns false if both inputs are true and true otherwise.
  6. NOR: This operation is the negation of the OR operation and returns false if either input is true and true otherwise.

These operations are used to design logical circuits and perform various operations in digital electronics. Boolean Algebra has several laws and rules that define how the operations can be performed, such as associativity, commutativity, and distributivity, which are used to simplify Boolean expressions.

Explain De-Morgan’s Law

De Morgan’s Law is a fundamental principle in Boolean Algebra that provides a way to simplify Boolean expressions. It consists of two laws that state the relationship between the logical operations of NOT, AND, and OR.

The first law states that the negation of the logical AND operation is equal to the logical OR operation of the negations of the inputs. It can be written as:

!(A ∩ B) = !A ⋃ !B

The second law states that the negation of the logical OR operation is equal to the logical AND operation of the negations of the inputs. It can be written as:

!(A ⋃ B) = !A ∩ !B

These laws allow us to simplify Boolean expressions by applying negations to the inputs of the logical operations, effectively changing the AND operation to OR and vice versa. This can be useful in digital circuit design when creating logic gates or reducing the complexity of a Boolean expression.

For example, if we have an expression A ∩ B, we can use De Morgan’s Law to simplify it as !(!A ⋃ !B), which can be further simplified based on the rules of Boolean Algebra.

Describe Duality Theorem

The Duality Theorem is a fundamental principle in Boolean Algebra that states that the dual of a Boolean expression is obtained by swapping the AND and OR operations and negating all the literals. In other words, the dual of a Boolean expression is obtained by interchanging the AND and OR operations and complementing all literals in the original expression.

For example, if we have a Boolean expression A ∩ B, its dual would be !A ⋃ !B. Similarly, if we have a Boolean expression A ⋃ B, its dual would be !A ∩ !B.

The Duality Theorem is useful because it provides a way to simplify Boolean expressions by transforming them into their dual forms. By doing so, we can take advantage of the properties of the AND and OR operations to simplify the expression.

In addition, the Duality Theorem provides a connection between the logical and physical representations of Boolean expressions. For example, AND gates and OR gates are dual to each other in their physical implementation, and this connection is reflected in the Duality Theorem.

The Duality Theorem is an important concept in digital electronics and computer science, as it provides a way to simplify Boolean expressions, reduces the complexity of logic circuits, and facilitates the design of digital systems.

Discuss Sum-of-Product (SOP) and Product-of-Sum (POS) forms and their expansion to Standard forms

Sum-of-Product (SOP) and Product-of-Sum (POS) forms are two ways of representing Boolean functions in terms of their inputs.

The Sum-of-Product (SOP) form is a representation of a Boolean function as a sum of products of its inputs. In SOP form, a Boolean function is represented as the sum of minterms, where each minterm is a product of the input variables. For example, the Boolean function f(A, B, C) = A B + A C can be represented in SOP form as f(A, B, C) = AB + AC.

The Product-of-Sum (POS) form is a representation of a Boolean function as a product of sums of its inputs. In POS form, a Boolean function is represented as the product of maxterms, where each maxterm is a sum of the input variables. For example, the Boolean function f(A, B, C) = (A + B)(A + C) can be represented in POS form as f(A, B, C) = A + B + A + C = A + B + C.

Both SOP and POS forms are equivalent and can be used to represent the same Boolean function. However, the choice of form depends on the specific requirements of the circuit design and the method of simplification being used.

The SOP and POS forms can be expanded to their standard forms, which are the canonical forms of Boolean functions. The standard form of a Boolean function in SOP form is the canonical SOP form, where each minterm is represented by a single literal and there are no repeated terms. The standard form of a Boolean function in POS form is the canonical POS form, where each maxterm is represented by a single literal and there are no repeated terms.

Convert a Boolean Expression to Logic Diagram and Vice-Versa

A Boolean expression is a mathematical expression that consists of variables and operators, where the variables can only have two values: “true” or “false.” The operators used in Boolean algebra are AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR.

A logic diagram is a graphical representation of a Boolean expression, where the variables are represented by boxes and the operators are represented by connecting lines and symbols.

Here’s how you can convert a Boolean expression to a logic diagram:

  1. Identify the variables in the Boolean expression and represent each one with a box.
  2. For each operator in the expression, draw a line between the boxes representing the operands and add the symbol for the operator at the end of the line.
  3. For the NOT operator, draw a circle around the operand and add the symbol “!” inside the circle.

And here’s how you can convert a logic diagram to a Boolean expression:

  1. Identify the boxes representing the variables in the diagram and write them as the corresponding letters in the expression.
  2. Identify the lines and symbols representing the operators and translate them into the corresponding operator in the expression.
  3. For the NOT operator, write the corresponding letter with a “!” in front of it.

It’s important to note that there can be multiple equivalent Boolean expressions for a single logic diagram, and vice versa.

Explain the NAND and NOR Logic Implementation

Implementing NOT gate using NAND gate:

(A.A)’=A’ (Idempotent Law)

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Implementing AND gate using NAND gate:

((AB)’ (AB)’)’= ((AB)’)’ (By Idempotent Law)

= AB (Involution Law)

Implementing OR gate using NAND gate:

((AA)'(BB)’)’= (A’B’)’ (By Idempotent Law)

= A”+B” (By De Morgan’s Law)

= A+B ( By involution Law)

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Implementing NOT gate using NOR gate:

(A+A)’=A’ (By Idempotent Law)

Implementing OR gate using NOR gate:

((A+A)’+(B+B)’)’= (A’+B’)’ (By Idempotent Law)

= A”.B” (By De Morgan’s Law)

= A.B ( By involution Law)

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Implementing AND gate using NOR gate:

((A+A)'(B+B)’)’= (A’+B’)’ (By Idempotent Law)

= A”.B” (By De Morgan’s Law)

= A.B ( By involution Law)

Describe 2 Variable K- Map

A Karnaugh map (K-map) is a graphical representation of a truth table that helps simplify Boolean algebra expressions. It is particularly useful for reducing Boolean expressions of up to four variables.

A 2-variable K-map is a table with two input variables, each variable being represented by one axis. The table has four cells, corresponding to the four possible combinations of the two input variables. The cells are usually labeled with the binary values of the input variables.

Here is an example of a 2-variable K-map:

| 0 | 1 |

—+—+—+

0 | | |

—+—+—+

1 | | |

—+—+—+

To use the K-map to simplify a Boolean expression, we follow these steps:

  1. Fill in the K-map with the values of the output variable for each combination of input variables, based on the given truth table.
  2. Group adjacent cells that have the same output value (either 0 or 1) into squares of size 1, 2, 4, or 8, depending on the number of cells that are grouped together.
  3. Identify the Boolean expression for each group of cells by reading the values of the input variables that are constant within the group.
  4. Write the final simplified Boolean expression as the sum of the Boolean expressions for each group.

Let’s illustrate these steps with an example. Consider the following truth table:

Input 1 | Input 2 | Output

0 | 0 | 0

0 | 1 | 1

1 | 0 | 1

1 | 1 | 1

Step 1: Fill in the K-map with the values of the output variable:

| 0 | 1 |

—+—+—+

0 | 0 | 1 |

—+—+—+

1 | 1 | 1 |

—+—+—+

Step 2: Group adjacent cells with the same output value:

| 0 | 1 |

—+—+—+

0 | X | 1 |

+—+—+

1 | 1 | 1 |

—+—+—+

A Karnaugh map (K-map) is a graphical representation of a truth table that helps simplify Boolean algebra expressions. It is particularly useful for reducing Boolean expressions of up to four variables.

A 2-variable K-map is a table with two input variables, each variable being represented by one axis. The table has four cells, corresponding to the four possible combinations of the two input variables. The cells are usually labeled with the binary values of the input variables.

Here is an example of a 2-variable K-map:

| 0 | 1 |

—+—+—+

0 | | |

—+—+—+

1 | | |

—+—+—+

To use the K-map to simplify a Boolean expression, we follow these steps:

  1. Fill in the K-map with the values of the output variable for each combination of input variables, based on the given truth table.
  2. Group adjacent cells that have the same output value (either 0 or 1) into squares of size 1, 2, 4, or 8, depending on the number of cells that are grouped together.
  3. Identify the Boolean expression for each group of cells by reading the values of the input variables that are constant within the group.
  4. Write the final simplified Boolean expression as the sum of the Boolean expressions for each group.

Let’s illustrate these steps with an example. Consider the following truth table:

Input 1 | Input 2 | Output

0 | 0 | 0

0 | 1 | 1

1 | 0 | 1

1 | 1 | 1

Step 1: Fill in the K-map with the values of the output variable:

| 0 | 1 |

—+—+—+

0 | 0 | 1 |

—+—+—+

1 | 1 | 1 |

—+—+—+

Step 2: Group adjacent cells with the same output value:

| 0 | 1 |

—+—+—+

0 | X | 1 |

+—+—+

1 | 1 | 1 |

—+—+—+

We can see that there are two groups: one group of two cells and one group of three cells.

Step 3: Identify the Boolean expression for each group:

For the group of two cells, the input variable Input 2 is constant at 1, so the Boolean expression is Input 1′. The apostrophe denotes the NOT operator.

For the group of three cells, both input variables are constant at 1, so the Boolean expression is 1.

Step 4: Write the final simplified Boolean expression:

The final simplified Boolean expression is the sum of the two Boolean expressions for the two groups:

Input 1′ + 1

Note that this expression is equivalent to the original expression Output = Input 2 OR Input 1, as can be verified by comparing the two truth tables.

Describe 3 variable K-map

The K-map or Karnaugh map is a graphical tool to minimise a boolean function. From the previous article, you know how a boolean function represented in a canonical sum of products is changed into a sum of product form using K-map. Also, the k-map is nothing but the same truth table in a matrix form where each of the cells is a minterm.

Truth Table for 3-Variable Map

It is a well-known fact that K-map is nothing but a different representation of the truth table; therefore, a truth table for 3 variables will contain 23=8 rows. This also means that the K-map would contain a total of 8 cells, each for a row in the truth table.
Consider the following truth table for three variables – A, B, and C.

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Characteristics of a 3-variable K-map

  • The truth table has a total of 8 rows which corresponds to 8 cells of the 3-variable K-map.
  • Each cell differs in only one variable to its neighbour, both horizontally and vertically.
  • To minimise the terms in a boolean function, mark a cell as 1 if its output is 1 in the truth table and leave the rest as it is.
  • To minimise the variables within each term of a cell that has 1 in K-map, start making groups of 2, 4, and 8.
  • Grouping of 1s includes neighbouring cells, corners and sides even though they overlap each other.
  • Make larger groups if possible.
  • Once all 1s are covered then you can stop.

Describe 4 variables K-Map

A 4-variable Karnaugh map (K-map) is a graphical representation of a truth table that helps simplify Boolean algebra expressions. It is particularly useful for reducing Boolean expressions of up to four variables.

A 4-variable K-map is a table with four input variables, each variable being represented by two axes. The table has 16 cells, corresponding to the 16 possible combinations of the four input variables. The cells are usually labeled with the binary values of the input variables.

Here is an example of a 4-variable K-map:

| 00 | 01 | 11 | 10 |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

00| | | | |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

01| | | | |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

11| | | | |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

10| | | | |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

To use the K-map to simplify a Boolean expression, we follow these steps:

  1. Fill in the K-map with the values of the output variable for each combination of input variables, based on the given truth table.
  2. Group adjacent cells that have the same output value (either 0 or 1) into squares of size 1, 2, 4, or 8, depending on the number of cells that are grouped together.
  3. Identify the Boolean expression for each group of cells by reading the values of the input variables that are constant within the group.
  4. Write the final simplified Boolean expression as the sum of the Boolean expressions for each group.

Let’s illustrate these steps with an example. Consider the following truth table:

To find the minimized expression using a Karnaugh map, we need to group adjacent 1s (or 0s) together and identify the resulting patterns. Let’s construct the K-Map for the given truth table:

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In this example, we have four variables: A, B, C, and D. The Karnaugh map is divided into 2×2 cells, representing the combinations of the variables. The numbers in the cells correspond to the output values.

Now, let’s identify the groups of adjacent 1s in the K-Map:

Group 1: A=0, B=0

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This group corresponds to the expression: A’B’

Group 2: B=0, C=1

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This group corresponds to the expression: B’C’

Group 3: C=0, D=0

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This group corresponds to the expression: CD’

Now, let’s write the simplified Boolean expression by combining these groups:

Expression = Group 1 + Group 2 + Group 3

= A’B’ + B’C’ + CD’

So, the minimized Boolean expression for the given truth table is A’B’ + B’C’ + CD’.

Explain the realisation of functions using K-Map

The realisation of functions using a K-Map involves finding a simplified Boolean expression that represents the same logic as a given function. The K-Map is used to simplify the expression by grouping together cells with similar output values and combining the corresponding minterms into a single term.

Here are the steps to realise a function using a K-Map:

  1. Create the K-Map: Draw a K-Map for the given function, where each cell represents a minterm and the value of the output (1 or 0) is indicated by colouring or marking the cells.
  2. Group the cells: Look for contiguous groups of cells with the same output value (1 or 0) and circle or mark them.
  3. Simplify the expression: For each group of cells, write a product term that represents the corresponding minterms. The product term for a group of cells is a sum of all the terms represented by the cells in the group.
  4. Combine the terms: Combine all the product terms into a single Boolean expression. This expression represents the same logic as the original function and is the simplified form of the function.
  5. Implement the circuit: The simplified Boolean expression can be implemented using basic gates such as AND, OR, and NOT to create the logic circuit.

Explain Prime Implicants and Essential Prime Implicants.

In Boolean algebra, a prime implicant is a product term that covers at least one minterm in a truth table and cannot be further simplified by combining with other product terms. It is called “prime” because it cannot be factored into smaller product terms.

For example, consider the truth table for the Boolean function f(x, y, z) = Σm(1, 2, 4, 6, 7). The minterms covered by this function are:

m(1) = x’y’z’

m(2) = x’y’z

m(4) = xy’z’

m(6) = xyz’

m(7) = xyz

The Boolean expression for f can be written as the sum of these minterms:

f(x, y, z) = x’y’z’ + x’y’z + xy’z’ + xyz’ + xyz

f(x, y, z) = x’y’z’ + x’y’z + xy’z’ + xyz’ + xyz

To find the prime implicants of this function, we can use a Karnaugh map or the Quine-McCluskey algorithm to identify groups of adjacent minterms that can be covered by a single product term. In this case, we can group the minterms as follows:

| 00 | 01 | 11 | 10 |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

00 | x’ | | x’ | x |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

01 | | x’ | x | x |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

11 | | | | x |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

10 | | | | x’ |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

| 00 | 01 | 11 | 10 |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

00 | x’ | | x’ | x |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

01 | | x’ | x | x |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

11 | | | | x |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

10 | | | | x’ |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

The groups of minterms correspond to the following product terms:

x’y’ + x’z + y’z + xz’

x’y’ + xy + y’z + yz

z + xz

z’ + xz’

Note that the first two product terms are covered by two different groups of minterms, so they are not prime implicants. The third and fourth product terms are each covered by only one group of minterms, so they are prime implicants.

An essential prime implicant is a prime implicant that covers at least one minterm that is not covered by any other prime implicant. It is called “essential” because it is necessary to include it in any minimal sum-of-products expression for the Boolean function.

In the example above, both the third and fourth product terms are essential prime implicants, because they cover the minterms m(11) and m(10) respectively, which are not covered by any other prime implicant. The minimal sum-of-products expression for f is therefore:

f(x, y, z) = xz’ + z

Describe Redundant Prime implicants

In Boolean algebra, a prime implicant is said to be redundant if it does not cover any minterms that are not already covered by other prime implicants. In other words, it is possible to express the Boolean function without including the redundant prime implicant, without changing the function’s behavior.

For example, consider the Boolean function f(x, y, z) = Σm(0, 2, 4, 5, 6) + d(1, 3), where Σm represents the sum of minterms and d represents the don’t-care terms. The minterms and don’t-care terms are:

m(0) = x’y’z’

m(2) = x’y’z

m(4) = xy’z’

m(5) = xy’z

m(6) = xyz’

d(1) = x’yz’

d(3) = x’yz

We can use a Karnaugh map or the Quine-McCluskey algorithm to find the prime implicants of this function. The groups of adjacent minterms are:

| 00 | 01 | 11 | 10 |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

00 | x’ | x | | |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

01 | x’ | x | x | x |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

11 | x’ | x | | |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

10 | | | | |

—+—-+—-+—-+—-+

The prime implicants are:

x’y’ + x’y + xy’ + xy

x’y’ + x’z

xz’ + yz

Notice that the first prime implicant covers m(0), which is also covered by the third prime implicant. Therefore, the first prime implicant is redundant and can be eliminated without changing the function’s behavior. The minimal sum-of-products expression for f is:
f(x, y, z) = x’y’ + x’z + xz’ + yz

Explain False Prime Implicants and Essential False Prime Implicants

False prime implicants are product terms that cover no minterms of a Boolean function, but are included in the sum-of-products expression obtained using the Quine-McCluskey algorithm. False prime implicants can arise due to the use of the Petrick’s method for finding the minimum sum-of-products expression.

Essential false prime implicants are false prime implicants that must be included in the sum-of-products expression to obtain a minimal expression. They are called “essential” because without them, the sum-of-products expression would not be minimal.

To understand false prime implicants and essential false prime implicants, consider the following Boolean function:

f(a, b, c, d) = Σm(1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12) + d(0, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15)

We can use the Quine-McCluskey algorithm to find the prime implicants of this function, which are:

a’b’ + a’c’ + b’c’d + acd’

a’b + cd’ + bc’d + ab’c

b’c’ + a’c’d + ab’d + acd

We can then use Petrick’s method to find the minimum sum-of-products expression. The Petrick’s method involves constructing a sum-of-products expression for the Boolean function, where each product term corresponds to a minimum cost path in a directed acyclic graph (DAG) representing the prime implicants. We can then use Boolean algebra to simplify the resulting expression.

For the example function above, the minimum sum-of-products expression obtained using Petrick’s method is:

f(a, b, c, d) = a’b’ + a’c’ + b’c’d + cd’ + bc’d + ab’c

Note that the product term acd is a false prime implicant, as it covers no terms of the Boolean function. However, it is not an essential false prime implicant, as it can be eliminated without changing the function’s behavior.

Describe Redundant False prime Implicants

Redundant false prime implicants are false prime implicants that do not affect the minimal sum-of-products expression of a Boolean function. These implicants are considered redundant because their presence or absence in the expression does not change the function’s behavior, and they can be safely eliminated without affecting the function’s functionality.

Redundant false prime implicants can arise when using the Petrick’s method to find the minimum sum-of-products expression of a Boolean function. The Petrick’s method constructs a sum-of-products expression by finding the minimum cost paths in a directed acyclic graph (DAG) representing the prime implicants. These paths correspond to product terms that cover all the minterms of the function.

However, in some cases, the Petrick’s method may generate false prime implicants that do not affect the function’s behavior. These implicants are considered redundant because they are not necessary to cover any minterms of the function.

To eliminate redundant false prime implicants, one can compare the minimum sum-of-products expression obtained with and without the implicants. If the expressions are identical, then the implicants are redundant and can be safely eliminated.

For example, consider the Boolean function f(a, b, c, d) = Σm(1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15) + d(0, 2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13). Using the Quine-McCluskey algorithm, we can obtain the prime implicants:

a’b’ + a’c’ + b’c’d + abd’ + acd

ab’ + bcd’ + ac’d + a’cd

Using Petrick’s method, we can obtain the minimum sum-of-products expression:

f(a, b, c, d) = a’b’ + a’c’ + b’c’d + abd’ + acd + ab’ + bcd’ + ac’d

Note that the product term abcd is a false prime implicant, as it covers no minterms of the function. However, this implicant is redundant, as it can be eliminated without changing the minimum sum-of-products expression of the function. The resulting expression is:
f(a, b, c, d) = a’b’ + a’c’ + b’c’d + abd’ + acd + ab’ + bcd’ + ac’d

Describe 5-variable K-Map

A 5-variable Karnaugh Map (K-Map) is a graphical representation of a 5-variable Boolean function in terms of its minterms. It is a two-dimensional grid with 32 cells that correspond to all possible combinations of the five input variables. The cells are arranged such that adjacent cells differ by only one input variable.

Let’s consider a Karnaugh map (K-Map) with five variables (A, B, C, D, E) and an example truth table. A five-variable K-Map can be visualized as a grid with 2^5 = 32 cells, where each cell represents a unique combination of the variables.

For the purpose of this example, let’s assume we have the following truth table:

A B C D E Output
0 0 0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 1 0 1
0 0 0 1 1 1
0 0 1 0 0 0
0 0 1 0 1 1
0 0 1 1 0 0
0 0 1 1 1 1

The truth table continues for all possible combinations of the five variables. Now, let’s construct the Karnaugh map using these values:

bSBTs072a2gAAAAASUVORK5CYII=

In this example, the Karnaugh map has 2^5 = 32 cells, arranged in a grid with A, B, C, D, E as the input variables. The numbers in the cells correspond to the output values.

To minimize the Boolean function using the K-Map, we need to group adjacent 1s (or 0s) together and identify the resulting patterns. The grouping should be done in a way that maximizes the size of the groups.

Once we identify the groups, we can write the minimized Boolean function by combining these groups. The resulting function will be a sum of products (SOP) expression where the groups correspond to the terms in the expression.

To provide a specific example, let’s identify a group:

Group 1: A=0, B=0, C=1, D=1, E=0

T9STRvcO2YIjwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==

This group corresponds to the expression: A’B’C’D’E

By identifying and combining the necessary groups, you can write the minimized Boolean function for your specific truth table.

Please note that due to the limited space and format of this response, it’s not practical to provide a complete example with all possible groups and the resulting function. However, the process of grouping and identifying patterns remains the same as in the example with four variables.

Describe 6 variable K-Map

A 6-variable Karnaugh Map (K-Map) is a graphical representation of a 6-variable Boolean function in terms of its minterms. It is a two-dimensional grid with 64 cells that correspond to all possible combinations of the six input variables. The cells are arranged such that adjacent cells differ by only one input variable.

Let’s consider a Karnaugh map (K-Map) with six variables (A, B, C, D, E, F) and an example truth table. A six-variable K-Map can be visualized as a grid with 2^6 = 64 cells, where each cell represents a unique combination of the variables.

For the purpose of this example, let’s assume we have the following truth table:

A B C D E F Output
0 0 0 0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 1
0 0 0 0 1 1 1
0 0 0 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0 1 1
0 0 0 1 1 0 0
0 0 0 1 1 1 1

The truth table continues for all possible combinations of the six variables. Now, let’s construct the Karnaugh map using these values:

8Ztt0o2M88WbejecAMJYgDgAABQjiAABQgCAOAAAFCOIAAFCAIA4AAAUI4gAAUIAgDgAABQjiAABQgCAOAAAFCOIAAFCAIA4AAAUI4gAAUIAgDgAABQjiAABQgCAOAAAFCOIAAFCAIA4AAAUI4gAAUIAgDgAABQjiAABQgCAOAAAFbHwQv3LlSrVv375qz5491fnz55svAwDASgjigjgAAAUI4oI4AAAFCOKCOAAABQjigjgAAAUI4oI4AAAFCOKCOAAABQjigjgAAAUI4oI4AAAFCOKCOAAABQjigjgAAAUI4oI4AAAFCOKCOAAABQjigjgAAAUI4oI4AAAFCOKCOAAABQjigjgAAAUI4oI4AAAFCOKCOAAABQjigjgAAAUI4oI4AAAFCOKCOAAABQjigjgAAAVsfBAHAIASBHEAAChAEAcAgAL+H8tKL+NmDwLIAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC

In this example, the Karnaugh map has 2^6 = 64 cells, arranged in a grid with A, B, C, D, E, F as the input variables. The numbers in the cells correspond to the output values.

To minimize the Boolean function using the K-Map, we need to group adjacent 1s (or 0s) together and identify the resulting patterns. The grouping should be done in a way that maximizes the size of the groups.

Once we identify the groups, we can write the minimized Boolean function by combining these groups. The resulting function will be a sum of products (SOP) expression where the groups correspond to the terms in the expression.

Please note that due to the large number of cells in a six-variable K-Map, it’s not practical to provide a complete example with all possible groups and the resulting function. However, the process of grouping and identifying patterns remains the same as in the example with four variables.

To get the minimized function, you would need to analyze the Karnaugh map and identify the largest groups of adjacent 1s (or 0s) possible. You would then convert these groups into Boolean terms and combine them to form the minimized function. The goal is to find the simplest expression that represents the truth table data.

Describe the Quine–McCluskey Method (Q-Map) to reduce Boolean Expression.

The Quine–McCluskey method, also known as the Q-Map method, is an algorithm for reducing a Boolean expression to its simplest form. The goal of the Q-Map method is to simplify a Boolean expression by finding and combining prime implicants of the function.

The Q-Map method consists of several steps:

  1. Create a truth table of the Boolean function and determine the minterms.
  2. Sort the minterms into groups based on the number of 1s they contain.
  3. Create a table with one column for each variable, and one row for each group of minterms. In each cell of the table, place a dot to represent the presence of a minterm in that group.
  4. Combine adjacent groups that contain only one differing bit by using a “don’t care” symbol.
  5. Repeat step 4 until no more adjacent groups can be combined.
  6. The remaining groups are the prime implicants of the function.
  7. Use the prime implicants to simplify the Boolean expression by selecting the minimum number of prime implicants that cover all of the minterms in the truth table.

The Q-Map method is a systematic way to simplify a Boolean expression and is particularly useful when the number of variables in the function is large. By combining prime implicants, the Q-Map method reduces the number of terms in the Boolean expression, making it easier to implement the function in hardware and leading to a more efficient and cost-effective design.

Explain the realisation of functions using Q-Map

The Quine–McCluskey method, or Q-Map, can be used to realise a Boolean function by finding the simplest representation of the function in the form of a Boolean expression.

The process of realising a function using the Q-Map method consists of the following steps:

  1. Create a truth table of the Boolean function to determine the minterms.
  2. Sort the minterms into groups based on the number of 1s they contain.
  3. Create a table with one column for each variable, and one row for each group of minterms. In each cell of the table, place a dot to represent the presence of a minterm in that group.
  4. Combine adjacent groups that contain only one differing bit by using a “don’t care” symbol.
  5. Repeat step 4 until no more adjacent groups can be combined.
  6. The remaining groups are the prime implicants of the function.
  7. Use the prime implicants to simplify the Boolean expression by selecting the minimum number of prime implicants that cover all of the minterms in the truth table.
  8. Replace the selected prime implicants with their corresponding Boolean expressions.
  9. Combine the Boolean expressions for the selected prime implicants to obtain the final Boolean expression for the function.

By using the Q-Map method to realise a Boolean function, the resulting Boolean expression can be simplified to its simplest form, making it easier to implement the function in hardware. This can lead to a more efficient and cost-effective design.