Need help understanding the transistor circuit of an Boolean NOT gate

In summary, the transistor circuit for a Boolean "NOT gate" requires a resistor on the base to limit the base current, and a resistor on the collector to prevent a short circuit when the transistor is on. When the input signal is logic 1, the transistor acts like a wire and the output is logic 0, and when the input signal is logic 0, the transistor is off and the output is logic 1. The direction of current flow can be shown by applying the output to a load resistor.
  • #1
x64bob
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0
need help understanding the transistor circuit of a Boolean "NOT gate"

can some one please link or upload a scheme or would this one i attached work? and how do you display in which direction the current flows? that's what I'm trying to show with the battery halves...
 

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  • #2
No, what you have drawn will not work as an inverter. Just look at the simplified schematic of some inverter gates in their datasheets:

74S04 -- http://rocky.digikey.com/scripts/ProductInfo.dll?Site=US&V=296&M=SN74S04N

74HCU04 (unbuffered inverter) -- http://rocky.digikey.com/scripts/ProductInfo.dll?Site=US&V=296&M=SN74HCU04N
 
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  • #3


What I believe is: you want to let the transistor act like an inverter.
The circuit you attached won't work because:
1 - you must put a resistor Rb on the base of the transistor.
2 - when the input is logic 0, the transistor is turned ON and it will behaves like a wire, therefore , a short is going to happen because the ON state transistor will short the 6V to ground.

I attached a circuit that will work properly... and here you are:

[PLAIN]http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/images/trinvert.gif

As you can see, there are 2 resistors in this circuit: Rc and Rb...

Rc is put so there will be no short circuit when the transistor is ON.
Rb is put to limit the base current ib.

This circuit will work properly as a Boolean "NOT Gate"

The logic 1 input signal will turn the transistor ON, so it will act like a wire, and the output is shorted to the ground, which means the output is logic 0.
And vice versa, when the input signal is logic 0, the transistor turns OFF, and there will be no current passing through the resistor, therefore the whole +Vs voltage will drop between the collector and the ground as output voltage, so the output voltage is logic 1 now !

As a summary, when the input signal is logic 1 , the output signal is logic 0...but when the input voltage is logic 0 , the output voltage is logic 1...so the circuit is acting just like a "NOT GATE" !

I hope this helps...
 
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  • #4


I forgot about the current...
When the transistor is on (i.e. the input signal is logic 1) the current will pass from the +Vs to ground, in other words from the collector toward the emitter.
But when the transistor in off (i.e. the input signal is logic 0) no current will flow through the transistor because it's OFF.
If the output signal is applied to a load (e.g. Resistor RL) the current will flow from +Vs through Rc and then through the load RL to the ground.
 
  • #5


I would be happy to help you understand the transistor circuit of a Boolean NOT gate. A Boolean NOT gate is a logic gate that has one input and one output, and its function is to invert the input signal. This means that if the input is 1, the output will be 0, and vice versa.

The transistor circuit for a Boolean NOT gate is quite simple. It consists of a single transistor, two resistors, and a power supply. The transistor acts as a switch, controlling the flow of current between the input and output. The two resistors act as pull-up and pull-down resistors, ensuring that the output is either at a high or low voltage level.

To visualize the direction of current flow, we can use the conventional current flow notation, which shows that current flows from positive to negative. In the attached image, the direction of current flow is from the positive terminal of the battery to the negative terminal, and then through the transistor to the output.

To better understand the working of a Boolean NOT gate, it may be helpful to think of the transistor as a switch. When the input is 0, the transistor is OFF, and no current flows from the power supply to the output. This results in the output being at a high voltage level, which represents a logical 1. When the input is 1, the transistor is turned ON, and current flows from the power supply to the output, resulting in the output being at a low voltage level, representing a logical 0.

I hope this explanation helps you understand the transistor circuit of a Boolean NOT gate better. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. Additionally, there are many online resources and tutorials available that can provide more detailed explanations and visuals.
 

1. What is a transistor?

A transistor is a semiconductor device used in electronic circuits to amplify or switch electronic signals. It is made up of three layers of material, typically silicon, with varying amounts of impurities to create a p-type and n-type semiconductor. This allows for the control of current flow within the device.

2. What is a Boolean NOT gate?

A Boolean NOT gate is a logic gate that has one input and one output. It is used to invert the input signal, so that a high input results in a low output and vice versa. This is commonly represented by a circle with a small notch on the input side.

3. How does a transistor circuit work in a Boolean NOT gate?

In a transistor circuit, the input signal is sent to the base of the transistor, which acts as a switch. When the input is high, the transistor allows current to flow from the collector to the emitter, resulting in a low output. When the input is low, the transistor blocks current flow and the output remains high. This allows the transistor to invert the input signal and produce the desired NOT gate output.

4. What are the different types of transistors used in a Boolean NOT gate?

The most commonly used transistors in a Boolean NOT gate are bipolar junction transistors (BJT) and metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET). BJTs are made up of two types of semiconductor material, while MOSFETs have a layer of insulation between the gate and the rest of the device. Both types can be used in a NOT gate, but the specific type used will depend on the circuit design and desired functionality.

5. How can I troubleshoot a transistor circuit in a Boolean NOT gate?

If the NOT gate is not functioning as expected, there are a few troubleshooting steps that can be taken. Check that the transistors are properly connected and oriented, the input and output signals are within the appropriate voltage range, and that the power supply is providing enough current. It may also be helpful to use a multimeter to test for any short circuits or faulty components.

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