Week 2 - Building Blocks Flashcards
What is the basic function of a transistor in a computer?
A transistor acts as a switch that controls the flow of electrons, enabling the flow of electrical current in digital circuits.
What are the two types of MOS transistors and how do they function?
n-type transistor: Conducts when the gate is supplied with a high voltage.
p-type transistor: Conducts when the gate is supplied with a low voltage (works opposite to n-type).
What does CMOS stand for, and why is it important in modern computers?
CMOS stands for Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor. It combines both n-type and p-type MOS transistors to build efficient logic gates that form the basis of most modern integrated circuits.
What is a NOT gate and how does it function in a CMOS circuit?
A NOT gate, also called an inverter, outputs the opposite of its input. In a CMOS NOT gate, when the input is high, the output is low, and vice versa.
How does a NAND gate function in CMOS technology?
A NAND gate outputs 0 only when all of its inputs are 1. Otherwise, it outputs 1. It is built using n-type and p-type transistors in CMOS circuits.
What is the significance of the AND gate and how can it be created using CMOS technology?
An AND gate outputs 1 only when both inputs are 1. In CMOS, it can be created by combining a NAND gate with a NOT gate (inverter).
What are logic gates, and why are they fundamental to digital circuits?
Logic gates perform basic Boolean functions (AND, OR, NOT, etc.) and are the building blocks of digital circuits that process binary information in computers.
What is a decoder and what is its function in combinational logic?
A decoder is a combinational circuit that converts binary input into a specific output line, turning on exactly one output based on the input pattern.
What is a multiplexer (MUX) and how does it operate?
A multiplexer is a device that selects one of several input signals based on a control input and forwards it to a single output.
What is the purpose of a full adder in digital circuits?
A full adder is a combinational circuit that adds two bits and a carry bit, producing a sum and a carry output.
How can a 4-bit adder be constructed using full adders?
A 4-bit adder can be created by connecting four 1-bit full adders in series, where each adder’s carry-out is connected to the carry-in of the next adder.
What is a Programmable Logic Array (PLA)?
A PLA is a programmable device used to implement various logic functions. It consists of an array of AND gates followed by an array of OR gates.
What is the function of a PLA in digital circuits?
A PLA can be programmed to implement a variety of logic functions by connecting specific AND gates to OR gates to form desired outputs.
What is the purpose of sequential logic in circuits?
Sequential logic circuits store information and produce outputs based on both current and past inputs, unlike combinational logic which depends only on current inputs.
What is an R-S Latch, and how does it store information?
An R-S (Reset-Set) Latch is a basic memory element that stores a single bit. It has two inputs, S (Set) and R (Reset), which control whether the stored bit is 1 or 0.
