IC Testing for Logic Gate Errors

[mremadahmed]

Hello,IS there any way to check IC [AND NOT OR gate] for errors ? Is there any method for it ?

 

[berkeman]

Hello,IS there any way to check IC [AND NOT OR gate] for errors ? Is there any method for it ?

What kind of errors? What is the context of your question?

Have you designed your own logic gates using transistors, and want to check them? Or are you using logic gates in a circuit, and the circuit is not working?

 

[analogdesign]

Hello,IS there any way to check IC [AND NOT OR gate] for errors ? Is there any method for it ?

Probe the pins and see if they make sense.

 

[mjhilger]

There are several failure modes for logic gates and without further context for your test, it is hard to provide a more detailed procedure.
That being said, if you have access to a logic analyzer, you can monitor all the inputs and outputs and see in real time the operation.

Common failure modes are:
power supply dips that cause the IC to see a logic level change on the input without there actually being on and changing the output.
Drawing too much current from the output and causing the output to seem to work part of the time.
Input setup and hold times not being met or held correctly for the output to stabilize or hold the output stable.
Static damage that can cause one gate to change randomly or in connection to one of the other gates.
Output overloading on the entire IC. - Some IC's can only tolerate a total output of the chip, so at one point the output (loading; driving other inputs) from all the gates in total from the chip can be limited.
Speed, trying to change inputs too quickly for the output to reflect (propagation time)

The most common problem I have encountered in breadboard setups is power supply connections to the chips if they draw lots of power (the old 74xx stuff, then 74LSxx type stuff) some had significant power requirements and the 5 volts would show rail supply of 3v at the IC during fast switching.

I hope you get the idea that you can probe the input and outputs at static conditions but the device can appear to fail in real (fast) operation. It is not so easy without the proper tools to catch faults. Even older Logic analyzers (my personal HP is 15+ years old) have capture modes that catch glitches quicker than 500 pico seconds. So you really need either a digital scope or logic analyzer to catch some logic faults.

 

[mremadahmed]

I was having LAb of BCD to XS-3 code conversion and many of the students were facing problems i.e. some of the pins in IC were not working after spending too much time. So i wondered that is there any way to check if IC is short or not ? Because making that circuit is a very time consuming job so one should check it before using it .

 

[analogdesign]

if you're in a lab you're probably using a protoboard. If so, swap out the IC! If things are fixed, it was the IC. If not, it's your design and/or wiring. Simple as that.

 

[berkeman]

I was having LAb of BCD to XS-3 code conversion and many of the students were facing problems i.e. some of the pins in IC were not working after spending too much time. So i wondered that is there any way to check if IC is short or not ? Because making that circuit is a very time consuming job so one should check it before using it .

As others have said, trace the signals from inputs-to-output for each logic gate. If the output signal is not doing what it should based on the inputs, the IC may be faulty, or you may have some other problem. Make sure that *all* inputs are connected to something -- either the output of some other logic gate, or tied either high or low with a resistor. Floating inputs to logic gates creates all kinds of problems.