Complete Datasheet Guide on Logic Gates 7408, 7432, 7404, 7400, and 7486
Logic Gates: Complete Datasheet Guide for 7408, 7432, 7404, 7400, and 7486
Have you ever wondered how the electronic devices you use daily work? The answer lies in logic gates, the fundamental components in any digital circuit. In this article, we will explore some of the most common logic gates: 7408, 7432, 7404, 7400, and 7486. Understanding these components is crucial for any electronics enthusiast.
In addition to these main gates, there are also others such as NOR (7402), XNOR (74266), and Buffer (7407), all available in our interactive simulator.
What are Logic Gates?
Logic gates are basic building blocks of digital electronics that perform Boolean operations on one or more binary inputs to produce a binary output. These components are essential in creating complex digital circuits and are used to build everything from calculators to computers and communication systems.
Common Logic Gates and Their Characteristics
AND Gate (7408)
The 7408 gate is a 2-input AND gate. For the output of this gate to be high (1), both inputs must be high (1).
- Configuration: 2 inputs and 1 output.
- Truth Table:
| Input A | Input B | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 |
OR Gate (7432)
The 7432 gate is a 2-input OR gate. The output will be high (1) if at least one of the inputs is high (1).
- Configuration: 2 inputs and 1 output.
- Truth Table:
| Input A | Input B | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 |
NOT Gate (7404)
The 7404 gate is a NOT gate, also known as an inverter. It has a single input and a single output, inverting the logical state of the input.
- Configuration: 1 input and 1 output.
- Truth Table:
| Input | Output |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 |
NAND Gate (7400)
The 7400 gate is a 2-input NAND gate. It is a combination of the AND and NOT gates. The output will be low (0) only when both inputs are high (1).
- Configuration: 2 inputs and 1 output.
- Truth Table:
| Input A | Input B | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 |
XOR Gate (7486)
The 7486 gate is a 2-input XOR gate. The output will be high (1) if only one of the inputs is high (1).
- Configuration: 2 inputs and 1 output.
- Truth Table:
| Input A | Input B | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 |
How Logic Gates Work
Active High and Active Low
Understanding the concept of active high and active low is essential when working with logic gates. An active low pin must be connected to a low logic level (0 volts) to be activated, while an active high pin must be connected to a high logic level (3 or 5 volts).
Implementation in Integrated Circuits (ICs)
Logic gates are implemented in integrated circuits (ICs) to save space and increase efficiency. For example, the 7408 IC contains four AND gates with two inputs on a single chip.
Complex Operations
By combining different logic gates, complex operations can be performed. For example, a flip-flop, which is used to store data, can be built by combining NAND gates.
If you want to experiment with these gates and see how they work in practice, you can use our interactive logic gates simulator where you can build virtual circuits and observe the behavior of each gate in real time.