Logic "NOR" Gate

The Logic "NOR" Gate

Definition

The Logic NOR Gate or Inclusive-NOR gate is a combination of the digital logic OR gate with that of an inverter or NOT gate connected together in series. The NOR (Not - OR) gate has an output that is normally at logic level "1" and only goes "LOW" to logic level "0" when ANY of its inputs are at logic level "1". The Logic NOR Gate is the reverse or "Complementary" form of the OR gate we have seen previously.

NOR Gate Equivalent

The logic or Boolean expression given for a logic NOR gate is that for Logical Multiplication which it performs on the complements of the inputs. The Boolean expression for a logic NOR gate is denoted by a plus sign, ( + ) with a line or Overline, ( ‾‾ ) over the expression to signify the NOT or logical negation of the NOR gate giving us the Boolean expression of:  A+B = Q.

Then we can define the operation of a 2-input logic NOR gate as being:

"If both A and B are NOT true, then Q is true"

Transistor NOR Gate

A simple 2-input logic NOR gate can be constructed using RTL Resistor-transistor switches connected together as shown below with the inputs connected directly to the transistor bases. Both transistors must be cut-off "OFF" for an output at Q.

Logic NOR Gates are available using digital circuits to produce the desired logical function and is given a symbol whose shape is that of a standard OR gate with a circle, sometimes called an "inversion bubble" at its output to represent the NOT gate symbol with the logical operation of the NOR gate given as.

The Digital Logic "NOR" Gate

2-input NOR Gate

Symbol	Truth Table
2-input NOR Gate	B	A	Q
	0	0	1
	0	1	0
	1	0	0
	1	1	0
Boolean Expression Q = A+B	Read as A OR B gives NOT Q

3-input NOR Gate

Symbol	Truth Table
3-input NOR Gate	C	B	A	Q
	0	0	0	1
	0	0	1	0
	0	1	0	0
	0	1	1	0
	1	0	0	0
	1	0	1	0
	1	1	0	0
	1	1	1	0
Boolean Expression Q = A+B+C	Read as A OR B OR C gives NOT Q

As with the OR function, the NOR function can also have any number of individual inputs and commercial available NOR Gate IC's are available in standard 2, 3, or 4 input types. If additional inputs are required, then the standard NOR gates can be cascaded together to provide more inputs for example.

A 4-input NOR Function

The Boolean Expression for this 4-input NOR gate will therefore be:   Q = A+B+C+D

If the number of inputs required is an odd number of inputs any "unused" inputs can be held LOW by connecting them directly to ground using suitable "Pull-down" resistors.

The Logic NOR Gate function is sometimes known as the Pierce Function and is denoted by a downwards arrow operator as shown, A↓B.

The "Universal" NOR Gate

Like the NAND gate seen in the last section, the NOR gate can also be classed as a "Universal" type gate. NOR gates can be used to produce any other type of logic gate function just like the NAND gate and by connecting them together in various combinations the three basic gate types of AND, OR and NOT function can be formed using only NOR's, for example.

Various Logic Gates using only NOR Gates

As well as the three common types above, Ex-Or, Ex-Nor and standard NOR gates can also be formed using just individual NOR gates.

Commonly available NOR gate IC's include:

TTL Logic Types   74LS02 Quad 2-input 74LS27 Triple 3-input 74LS260 Dual 4-input

CMOS Logic Types   CD4001 Quad 2-input CD4025 Triple 3-input CD4002 Dual 4-input

Quad 2-input NOR Gate 7402

In the next tutorial about Digital Logic Gates, we will look at the digital logic Exclusive-OR gate known commonly as the Ex-OR Gate function as used in both TTL and CMOS logic circuits as well as its Boolean Algebra definition and truth tables.