Everything You Need To Know About Logic IC

Image of logic IC source Rantle East Electronic

Logic ICs are vital components in the world of digital electronics. As the name suggests, they are designed to perform logical operations such as AND, OR, and NOT. All these functions are important in the world of digital electronics.

Logical integrated circuits are made based on the properties and operation of logic gates. They comprise multiple logic gates connected to form a single IC package. The final package is then required to perform a set of functions based on the properties of each logic gate in the circuit.

 Are you planning to build a digital logic system?  You will have to buy logic ICs, among the many other electronic components that make up your logic gate. With proper guidance, you can build a complete and functional system.

The purpose of this article is to help you make the right choices for logic gate ICs. We are going to break down critical information about logic integrated circuits. You will learn different types of logic gate ICs, their benefits, how they work, and how to buy the best logic gate IC  for your application.

Logic IC working principle

How does a logic integrated circuit work?

The working principle of logic integrated circuits entails the manipulation of the input signals to produce the desired output signal.

The manipulation is done by logic gates that are connected.

It is referred to as an integrated circuit because it comprises key electronic components such as transistors, resistors, diodes, and an array of other semiconductor components.

Each logic gate that is packaged in the integrated circuit is designed to execute a specific logical operation on the input signal that is fed through it.

These operations include AND, NOR, NOT, and XOR among others.

Once the choice for the logic gates has been made,  attention is shifted to the electronic components such as transistors and diodes. They are used for manipulating the signals that pass through the logic gates.

 Transistors in these circuits are mainly used as switches. They use their switching functionality to manipulate the state of signals coming from each logic gate.

In some cases, these transistors are used as amplifiers such that they amplify the signals coming from the logic gate. Amplification improves the accuracy of the signal manipulation as it makes it possible to get precise signals.

Diodes are included in the integrated circuits to control the direction of the signals. They ensure that the signals follow a particular direction and not any other. For example, if the signal is required to pass through a particular logic gate, it should be able to do so.

 Once the signals have been controlled and manipulated,  the next stage is to get output signals. Keep in mind that the output is determined by the input signals, the logic gates in the circuits, and also the transistors that are used for the manipulation of signals.

The output signals can either be high (1) or low (0), which represent the states of the circuits. These signals are directed to different pins that are then connected to the rest of the circuit.

 From the outputs, you can obtain a truth table. This table comprises all possible outputs from the logic gate circuits. The truth table forms the foundation of designing logic  IC. It is used as a reference point whereby the choice of logic gate and arrangement in a circuit should be done to get the results that are in the truth table.

Advantages of logic ICs

 Here are some of  the top advantages that are associated with the use of logic integrated circuits:

· These chips are capable of performing complex data processing and manipulation to achieve the desired results

· They are small and compact hence can easily fit into miniaturized devices

· Logic chips operate at low voltages. They have excellent levels of power efficiency, a factor that makes them ideal for battery-operated devices.

· These chips are highly reliable thanks to their solid make and compact designs. They can withstand physical forces such as shocks and vibrations. They are also tolerant to extreme levels of temperature

· Logic IC chips are cost-effective. Most of these chips are quite affordable, especially when compared to their alternatives. You can get the best prices if you buy from the best suppliers and distributors.

What are the limitations of logic chips?

The most notable limitation of logic chips is they are designed for digital circuits and applications. You cannot use them for analog electronic applications.

Logic integrated circuits have power limitations.  Each chip comes with a maximum operation voltage that should not be exceeded. This may hinder their usage in specific application areas.

Application of Logic  ICs

Logic integrated circuits have a wide range of applications in the modern electronics.

With the widespread use of digital electronics, you should expect to see logic ICs in all these electronic devices and gadgets.

 These chips are mainly used for processing digital waveforms in digital electronics.

 The application can range from a simple digital device to a complex machine whose operation and functionality are based on the digital logic

Think of any digital device that you are using. Chances are it is powered by logic IC.

Devices and applications that are powered by logic semiconductor chips include smartphones, tablets, computers, digital televisions, digital cameras, microcontrollers, microprocessors, memory modules, industrial automation, and entertainment appliances, among many others.

From the above examples, it means that as long as you are building a digital electronic solution, there is a high chance that you will need a logic IC.

This is because these chips give electronic devices high levels of logic processing capabilities.

Also, if you would like to enhance the functions and performance of your device, the chip will still come in handy.

All you need is to outline the core functions of your product and you will be able to find the need for a logic IC.

What to look for when buying Logic ICs

Now that you know what logic ICs are and what they do, the next step is to buy them.

 The fact that these chips come in different variations makes it difficult to make the right choice. You have to consider several factors before you settle on one chip.

 Here are some of the things that you should look out for when choosing the right logic IC:

Power characteristics

 As an integrated circuit, logic gates come in different power features and specifications. Current and voltage are the most common specifications. Pay attention to the values of the current and voltage of the logic gate.  You will know whether the chip is compatible with your application regarding the power properties.

Logic family

Find out the logic family that your logic gate belongs to. A logic family refers to a group of logic gates whose design and construction are based on specific designs. It is also defined as a set of techniques that are used for implementing different logics.

Examples of logic families include resistor-transistor logic (RTL), Emitter-coupled logic (ECL), Diode-transistor logic (DTL), Transistor-transistor Logic (TTL), Metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) logic among others.

Since each logic family is packaged with a unique set of properties, you should carefully analyze the logic family that your logic gate IC belongs to.

Pin configuration

 Check out the pin configuration of the logic IC that you want to buy. The configuration refers to the arrangement and placement of pins on the semiconductor chip. The configuration will determine the placement and connection of the logic gate chip in a circuit.

Performance

How will the logic IC perform when integrated into an application?  The best way of finding this out is by knowing key parameters that determine the performance of an integrated circuit.

Speed is one of these parameters. Establish the rise and fall times of your logic IC. A short rise and fall time is an indication that your chip is likely to perform to the optimum levels.

Choosing a Logic Gate IC distributor: What you should Look Out for

Now that you know the things to look out for when choosing a logic  IC,  you can proceed to buy the chips for your application.

Before you take that step, you should be careful about where you buy your logic gate IC chips.  Ensure that you buy from reputable and reliable distributors.

How do I know that a distributor is the best for my business?  There are several pointers that you should use when it comes to choosing  logic  IC suppliers and distributors

First, you should find out product availability. Do they have the specific type of logic gate IC that you need? You should also establish whether they can meet your need for purchasing logic gate ICs in bulk.

Secondly, check out the reputation of the distributor. It is advisable to choose a distributor that has a good reputation in the industry. This way, you will be sure of getting quality products and even customer services from a distributor.

It is easy to find out the reputation of the supplier. Just read reviews from other customers.

Experience is an important factor to consider when it comes to choosing logic gate ICs. Find out how many years the supplier or distributor has been in the industry.

Frequently asked questions about logic  ICs

What are the basic logic gates of IC?

Some of the most common logic gates for integrated circuits include transistor-transistor logic (TTL) and complimentary metal-oxide-silicon(CMOS). These two logic gates have a wide range of applications in the modern world of digital electronics. For example, CMOS logic gates are used in the data storage applications.

What are the main functions of logic ICs?

The core function of logic IC is to execute logic operations. These operations include AND, OR, NOT, and XOR.  When integrated into digital circuits, the chips execute operations such as counters, multiplexers, and adders. These circuits are then included in different components of devices so that they can execute their respective functions.

What are the principles of logic gates?

The working principle of any logic gate is that the output will always depend on the input gates. The output signals are in binary forms of ‘0’ and ‘1’ which is also represented as ‘true’ or ‘false’. The Boolean function that determines the output of the is always presented in the form of logic gates.

How many gates does a logic IC have?

There is no fixed or defined number of logic gates that make up a logic IC. Since they are manufactured in the form of integrated circuits, a single chip will have two to six logic gates. Different logic gates are used to make up the chips. However, these chips belong to the same family.

Once you determine the desired output, you will then choose the right logic gates that will end up producing the IC.

Is it possible to use different logic families in one chip?

Yes, different logic families can be interfaced into a single integrated circuit. The surest way of doing this is by using a voltage divider circuit in the chip. The divider interfaces the logic gates from different families so that they can work together. 

Conclusion

Logic gate ICs are the building blocks of digital systems. They determine the kind of output that you can get from a system.

I hope that you will use the information in this article to make the right decision on the logic gate that you should purchase.

Once you know the right type of chip, the next step is to know where to buy logic gate ICs. Ensure that you buy from the best manufacturers and suppliers.

If you are planning to buy logic gate ICs in China, then you should consider making Rantle East Electronic your partner.

We are a reputable electronic component distributor in China. A logic gate is one of the components that we distribute.

We have over 20 years of experience in the industry and have what it takes to deliver the best products and services.

Contact us directly and we will be glad to deliver the right logic gate ICs for your application.