INTRODUCTORY

DIGITAL ELECTRONICS
DEFINITION
Analog : The representation of the physical properties by a proportionally varying signal.
AC Analog Signal : An analog signal that alternates positive and negative.
AC Amplifier : An amplifier disigned to increase th magnitude of an AC signal.
DC Analog Digital : An analog signal that is always either positive or negative.
DC Amplifier : An amplifier designed to increase the magnitude of DC singnal.
Digital Electronic Circuit : A circuit designed to manage digital information signals.
Binary : Having only two alternatives, two-stat.
Binary Digit : Abbrevated bit ; it is either a 0 or 1 from the binary number system (0 or 1 , ON or
OFF , Higt or Low)
Digital Signal : An electronic signal made up of binary digits.
Digitize : To convert an analog signal to a digital signal.
Analog Electrical Circuit : Analog circuit designed to manage power.
Digital Electrical Circuit : A digital circuit designed to manage pwer.
Linear Circuit : A circuit in which the output varies in direct proportion to the input.
Intergrated Circuit (IC) : A circuit in which all of the components are all interconnected and then
encapsulated in a sigle package.
Decimal : A base-10 number system.
Base : With number systems, it describes the number of digits used.
Most Significant Digit (MSD) : The left-most, largest-weight digit in a number.
Least Significant Digit (LSD) : The right-most, smallest-weight digit in a number.
Reset and Carry : An action that occurs when a column has reached its maximum count.
Binary Point : A symbol used to saparate the whole from the fraction in a binary number.
Haxadecimal : A base-16 number system.
Word : An ordered set of characters that is treated as a unit.
Octal : A base-8 number system.
Pure Binary : Uncoded binary.
Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) : A code in which each decimal digit is represented by a group of 4
binary bits.
Excess-3 code : A code in which the decimal digit n is represented by the 4-bit binary code n+3.

Gray Code : A non-wieghted binary code in which sequential number are represented by codes that
differ by one bit.
Alphanumeric Code : A code used to represent the letters of the alphabet and decimal numbers.
Logic Gate Circuits : Circuits containing predictavle gate functions that either open or close their
outputs.
Hardware : A term used to decribe the electronic, magnetic, and mechanical devices of a digital
system.
Software : A term used to describe th binary instructions and data processed by digital electronic
system hardware.
Tow-State Circuits : Switching circuits that are controlled to be either ON or OFF.
NOT GATE : A logic gate with only one input and output that will the binary input.
OR GATE : A logic gae that will give a HIGH output if either of its inputs are HIGH.
Truth Table or Function table : A table used to show the action of a device as it reacts to all
possible input combinations.
AND Gate : A logic gate that will give HIGH output only if all inputs are HIGH.
Controlled Switch : An electronically controlled switch.
Bubble : A small circle symbol used to signify an invert function.
NOR Gate : A NOT-OR gate that will give a LOW output if any of its inputs are HIGH.
NAND Gate : A NOT-AND logic gate circuit that will give a HIGH output if any of its inputs are
LOW.
Exclusive-OR Gate : A logic gate circuit that will give a HIGH output if any odd nymber of binary
1s are applied to the input.
Exclusive-NOR Gate : A NOT-exclusive OR gate that will give a HIGH out put if any even number
of binary 1s are applied to the input.
Dependency Notation : A coding system used on schematic diagrams that uses notations to indicate
how an output is dependent on inputs.
Dual-In-Line Package (DIP) : An electronic package having to rows of connecting pins.
Trasistor-Transistor Logic (TTL) : A line of digital Ics that have logic gates containing several
interconnected transistor.
Standard TTL : The original transistor-transistor logic circuit type.
Coupling Trasistor : A transistor connected to couple or connect one part of a circuit to another.
Totem Pole Circuit : A circuit arragement in which two device are stacked os that the operation of
one affects the operation of the other.

Phase Spliter : A circuit designed to generate two out-of-phase outputs.

Multiple-Emitter Transistor : A bipolar transistor having more than one emitter control terminal.
TTL Driver : A transistor-transistor logic source device.
TTL Load : A transistor-transistor logic device that will encumber or burden the source.
Power Disssipation : The power dissipated by a device or circuit.
Propagation Delay Time : The time it takes for an output to change after a new input has been
applied.
Noise Immunity : The ability of a debice to not be affected by noise.
Noise Margin : The range in which noise will not affect the operation of a circuit.
Fanout : The number of parallel loads that can be driven simultaneously by one logic source,
keeping logic levels within spec.
Sink : A power-consuming device or circuit.
Source : A circuit or device that supplies power.
Floating Input : An input that is not connected.
Low-Power TTL : A line of transistor-transistor logic ICs that have a low power dissipation figure.
High-Speed TTL : A line of trasistor-transistor logic ICs that have high speed or low propagation
delay speed figure.
Schottky TTL : A line of transistor-transistor logic ICs that use schottky transistor.
Saturation Delay Time : The additional time it takes a saturated transistor to turn off.
Schottky Transistor : A transistor having a schottky diode connected between its collector and
base.
Open-Collector Ouput : A ligic circuit in which the final output, which is a transistors collector, is
open or floating.
Pull-up Resistor : The name given to a resistor that is connected between a power line and a signal
line. Its function is to pull-up or make HIGH a signal line when it is not switched
LOW.
Three-State Output TTL : A line of transistor-transistor logic gates that can have three possible
outputs: LOW, HIGH, or OPEN.
Active-LOW Control Line : A control line that goes LOW when activated.
Buffer : A device that isolates one device from another. Its schematic symbol is a triangle with one
input and one output.
Schmitt-Trigger : A level-sensitive input circuit that has a two-state output.
Hysteresis Voltage : The difference between two voltages.

Emitter-Coupled Logic (ECL) : A bipolar digital logic circuit family that uses emitter input
coupling.
Pull-Down Resistor : A name given to a resistor that is connected between a signal line and ground.
Its function is to pull-down or make LOW a signal line when it is noot switched
HIGH.
Integrated-Injection Logic (IIL) : A bipolar digital logic family that use a current injector
transistor.
Packing Density : A term used to describe the number of devices that can be packed into a
given area.
Current Injector Transistor : A transistor connected ot generate a constant current.
PMOS Logic : A digital logic family of ICs that use P-Cannel MOSFETs.
NMOS Logic : A digital logic family of ICs that use N-channel MOSFETs.
CMOS Logic : A digital logic family that makes use of both P-channel and N-channel
MOSFETs.
Transistor Outline : A package type used to house a transistor or circuit that resembles a small
can.
Surface Mount Technology : A package type that has connections that connect to the surface of
a printed circuit board.
Interface : A device or circuit that connects an output to an input.
Compatible : In relation to ICs, it describes a circuit family that has input/output logic levels
and operating characteristics which are compatible with other logic IC
families.
Level-shifter : A circuit that will shift or change logic levels.
Multimaeter : Test instrument able to perform multiple tasks in that it can be used to measure
voltage, current, or resistance.
Pulse Wave : A repeating wave that only alternates between two levels or values and remains
at one of these values for a small amount of time relative to the other.
Pulse Repetition Frequency : The number of times a second a pulse is generated.
Pulse Repetition Time : The time interval between the start of two consecutive pulses.
Glith : An acronym for gremlins loose in the computer housing. The term is used to
describe a problem within an electronic system.

Logic Chip : A spring loaded digital testing chip that can be clamped onto an IC package so
that the signal present on any pin is available at the end of the clip. Some
include LEDs to display logic levels present.
Logic Probe : A digital test instrument that can indicate whether a HIGH, LOW, or PULSE is
present at a circuit point.
Static Test : A test performed on a circuit that has been held constant in one condition.
Dynamic Test : A test performed on a circuit that is running at its normal operating speed.
Logic Pulser : A digital test instrument that can generate either single or repeating logic
pulses.
Current Tracer : A digital test intrument used to sense relative values of current in a
conductor using an inductive pick-up tip.
Clock : A two-state timing signal that is distributed throughut a digital electronic system to
ensure that all circuits operate in sync, or at the correct time.
Boolean Algebra : A form of algebra invented by George Boole that deals with classes,
propositions, and ON/OFF circuit elements asscociated with operators such as
NOT, OR, NOR, AND, NAND, XOR, and XNOR.
Communtative Law : Combining elements in such a manner that the result is independent of
the order in which the elements are taken.
Associative Law : Combining elements such that when the order of the elements is preserved,
the result is independent of the grouping.
Distributive Law : Producing the same element when operating on a whole as when operating
on each part, and collecting the results.
Sum-of-Products (SOP) Form : A Boolean expressiong that describes the ORing of two or
more AND functions.
Product-of-Sum (POS) Form : A Boolean expression that describes the ANDing of tow or more
OR functions.
Karnaugh Map : Also called K-map, it is a truth table that has been rearranged to show a
geometrical pattern of functional relatonships for gating configurations.Using
this map, essential gating requirements can be more easily recognized and
reduced to their simplest form.
Combinational Logic Circuit : Digital logic circuits in which the outputs are dependent only on
the present input states and the logic path delays.

Decoder Circuit : A Circuit that repsponds to a particular coded signal while rejecting all
others.
Binary-to-Decimal Decoder : A decoder circuit tha selects one of ten outputs (decimal),
depending onf the 4-bit binary input applied.
Hexadecimal Decoder : A decoder circuit that selects one of sixteen outputs (hexadecimal)
depending on the 4-bit binary input applied.
BCD-to-Seven-Segment Decoder : A decoder circuit that converts a BCD input code into and
equivalent seven-segment ouput code.
Code Converter : A decoder circuit that converts an input code into a different but equivalent
output code.
Encoder Circuit : A circuit that generates specific output codes in response to certain input
conditions.
Decimal-to-BCD Encoder : An encoder circuit that in response to decimal input conditions
generates equivalent BCD output codes.
Negative-Logic : 1. An active-LOW signal or code.
2. Digital logic in which the more negative logic level represents a binary1.
Positive-Logic : 1. An active-HIGH signal or code.
2. Digital Logic in which the more positive logic level represents a binary 1.
Priority Encoder : An encoder circuit that in respone to several simultaneous inputs will
generate an output code that is equivalent to the highest priority input.
Multiplexer (MUX) : Also called a data selector, it is a circuit that is controlled to switch one of
several inputs through to one output.
Analog Multiplexer : An analog signal multiplexer circuit.
Digital Multiplexer : A digital signal multiplexer circuit.
Parallel-to-Serial Converter : A circuit that will convert the parallel data word input into a
serial data stream output.
Logic-Function Generator : The circuit that will generate the desired logic level at the output
for each input combination.
Multiplexed Display : A display circuit that timeshares the display or display driver circuitry.
Demultiplexer (DMUX) : Also called a data distributor, it is a circuit that is controlled swtich a
signal input through to one serveral outputs.
Analog Demultiplexer : A analog signal demultiplexer circuit.
Digital Demultiplexer : A digital signal demultiplexer circuit.

Serial-to-Parallel Converter : A circuit that will convert serial data into parallel format.
Comparator : A circuit that compares two inputs to dertermine whether or not the two input
are equal.
Cascading Inputs : Connecting in series or stringing together two or more devices.
Parity Check : An odd-even check that makes the total number of 1s in a binary word eitheran
odd or even number.
Parity Generator : A circuit that generates the parity bit that is added to a binary word so that
a parity check can later be performed.
Parity Checker : A circuit that tests the parity bit that has been added to a binary word so that
a parithy check can be performed.
Parity Bit : A binary digit that is added to a binary word make the sum of the bits either odd
or even.
Set-Reset (S-R) Flip-Flop : A bistable multivibrator or two state flip-flop circuit that can have
its output latched HIGH (set) LOW (reset).
Set-Reset Latch : A set-rest flip-flop.
NO CHANGE Codition : An input combination or condition that when applied to a flip-flop
circuit will cause no change in the output ligic level.
RACE Condition : An input combination that when applied to a flip-flop circuit will cause the
internal circuit to race to turn on and result in an unpredicatable logic level
output.
Switch Debouncer : A circuit designed to eliminate the contact bounce that occurs whenever a
switch is thrown into a new position.
Triggered : A device or circuit that initates an action in respone to a trigger pulse.
Level-Triggered : A device or circuit that initiates an action in response to a triggers logic
level.
Edge-Triggered : A device or circuit that initiates an action in response to a triggers positive
or negative edge.
Pulse-Triggered : A device or circuit that initialtes an action in response to a complete trigger
pulse.
Master-Slave Flip-Flop : A two-latch flip-flop circuit in which the master latch is loaded on the
leading edge of the clock pulse, and the slave latch is loaded on the trailing edge
of the clock pulse.
Preset : A control input that is independent of the clock and is used to set the output HIGH.

Clear : A control input that is independent of the clock and is used to reset the output LOW.
D-Type Flip-Flop : A data-type flip-flop circuit that can latch or store a binary 1 or 0.
J-K Flip-Flop : A circuit that will operate in the same way as a set-reset flip-flop, except that it
will toggle its output instead of race when both inputs are HIGH.
Toggle : An input combination or condition that causes the output to toggle or switch its
output to the oppostite logic level.
Astable Multivibrator : A free-runing oscillator circuit that can be used to generate either a
square or rectangular output wave form.