WHAT IS A PROBLEM STATEMENT

A problem statement typically defines a specific scenario or requirement that needs to be

addressed or solved using a combination of logic gates. It outlines the conditions and

desired outcomes, which can be translated into a logical circuit using appropriate gates.

The problem statement serves as the basis for designing a digital circuit that meets the

specified criteria.

Example of a Problem Statement

Design a security system logic circuit for a storage room that triggers an alarm under two

conditions: either when motion is detected inside the room, or when the door is opened

without a security code being entered. However, the alarm should not sound if the correct

security code is entered, regardless of motion detection or door status.

WHAT IS A LOGIC EXPRESSION

A logic expression, also known as a Boolean expression, is a mathematical notation that

specifies a combination of logic operations performed on logical variables. In the realm of

computer science and digital electronics, these expressions are used to represent the

function of logic gates and circuits. Here are some characteristics of Logic Expressions.

• Based on Boolean Algebra | Logic expressions are rooted in Boolean algebra, a

branch of algebra that deals with true and false values, typically represented as 1

and 0, respectively.

• Use of Logical Operators | These expressions employ operators such as AND (⋅), OR

(+), NOT (¬), NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR to combine one or more logic variables.

• Variables and Constants | The expressions consist of variables (like A, B, C) that

represent inputs and outputs of logic gates, and constants (0 for false, 1 for true).

• Represent Logic Circuits | Every logic circuit can be described by a logic expression,

and conversely, every logic expression can be implemented as a logic circuit.

Example

For a simple AND gate with two inputs A and B, the logic expression is:

Expression: Y = A AND B

In Boolean Notation: Y = A ⋅ B

WHAT IS A LOGIC CIRCUIT

A logic circuit is a physical arrangement of logic gates designed to perform a specific

logical operation. It's the cornerstone of digital electronics, found in computers,

calculators, and many other electronic devices.

• Based on Binary System | Logic circuits operate using binary numbers (0s and 1s),

representing two states: ON (1) and OFF (0).

• Composed of Logic Gates | These are the basic building blocks of logic circuits. Gates

like AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR, and XNOR process binary inputs to produce a

binary output.

• Perform Logical Operations | Each circuit performs a specific function, determined

by the arrangement and type of gates used.

• Can Be Simple or Complex | They range from basic circuits with a single gate to

complex integrated circuits with millions of gates.

• Used in Computing and Digital Electronics | Logic circuits form the basis of the

central processing unit (CPU), memory, and other components in computers.

WHAT IS A TRUTH TABLE

A truth table is a mathematical table used to determine whether a logic statement is true

or false. In the context of digital electronics and computer science, it is primarily used to

represent the output of a logic circuit for every possible combination of inputs.
As can be seen on the previous page each logic can be represented with their own truth

table. The first thing you should notice is that the input values are listed in a logical

binary order, this ensures that you do not make any mistakes when creating the input

values and helps maintain consistency so all truth tables are easy to read. For n inputs,

there will be 2^n combinations.

Notice the pattern when listing binary, the left-hand column will always read down 1 zero

then 1 one, the next column will be 2 zeros’ then 2 one's the third column 4 zero's then 4

ones, this pattern continues as you add column. The other reason to list the binary this way

is if you convert the binary value to normal numbers then you are simply counting from

Zero upwards. You can also work out the total possible input combinations by doing

'Number of inputs ^2'. For example, the logic gate in the diagram above has 2 inputs so

2^2=4, there is a total of 4 possible combinations to the input values.

NOTE: MANY STUDENTS LOSE MARKS OR GET THE ANSWER WRONG BECAUSE THEY DO

NOT LIST THE INPUTS USING THIS METHOD.

CREATING A LOGIC CIRCUIT AND TRUTH TABLE

Creating a logic circuit involves several steps, from understanding the problem to

designing and testing the circuit.

1. Understand the Scenario | Carefully read the problem statement to understand

what the circuit is supposed to achieve. Identify the inputs and the desired output.
 2. Determine the Required Logic | Based on the scenario, decide which logical

operations (AND, OR, NOT, etc.) are needed to achieve the desired output.

3. Select the Appropriate Gates | Choose the logic gates that will fulfil the required

logical operations.

4. Draw the Circuit Diagram | Sketch a diagram of the circuit. Place the gates in the

correct arrangement and connect them with lines representing the flow of inputs

and outputs.

5. Label Inputs and Outputs | Clearly label all inputs and the output in the diagram.

6. Create a Truth Table | This is a table showing all possible combinations of inputs

and their corresponding outputs. It helps in verifying the functionality of your

circuit.

7. Test and Validate | Check if the circuit works as intended for all input

combinations. You can use simulation software for complex circuits.

EXAMPLE PROBLEM STATEMENT 1

Create a circuit that turns on a light (output) when it is either night-time (input A) or the

room is occupied (input B), but not both.

1. Understand the Scenario | You need a circuit with two inputs (night-time and

room occupancy) and one output (light).

2. Determine the Required Logic | The light should be on if either one condition is

true, but not both. This is an exclusive OR operation.

3. Select the Appropriate Gates | Choose an XOR gate.

4. Draw the Circuit Diagram | Draw a diagram with two inputs leading to an XOR

gate, and the output from this gate is the light.

5. Label Inputs and Outputs | Label the inputs as A (night-time) and B (room

occupancy) and the output as the light.

 6: Create a Truth Table | The truth table below is a method of visually displaying the

outcomes of a logic gate or all of the possible outcomes of a logic circuit.

A (NIGHT TIME) B (OCCUPIED) X = LIGHT (A XOR B)

O O O

O 1 1

1 O 1

1 1 O

7. Test and Validate | Check the circuit against all possible input combinations to ensure

it works correctly.

The above example is a simple solution to a simple problem statement that only requires

the use of one logic gate. In the next example we look at a slightly more complex problem

statement and provide tips on how to break down the problem to create a logic circuit and

truth table.

EXAMPLE PROBLEM STATEMENT 2

Design a security system for a storage room that triggers an alarm under two conditions:

either when motion is detected inside the room, or when the door is opened without a

security code being entered. However, the alarm should not sound if the correct security

code is entered, regardless of motion detection or door status.

Breaking Down the Problem Statement

• Motion Detection | If motion is detected, the alarm should be triggered.

 • Door Status and Security Code | If the door is opened without entering the correct

security code, the alarm should be triggered.

• Override Condition | If the correct security code is entered, the alarm should not be

triggered, irrespective of motion or door status.

INPUTS

M (Motion Detected): 1 if motion is detected, 0 otherwise.

D (Door Opened): 1 if the door is opened, 0 otherwise.

C (Correct Code Entered): 1 if the correct code is entered, 0 otherwise.

OUTPUT

Alarm (A): The alarm system. (1 if the alarm should be triggered, 0 if it should not)

Logic Circuit Design:

WORKING OUT WHAT GATES ARE NEEDED

Step 1 | Combine Motion and Door Status

• Logic Needed | The alarm should trigger if either motion is detected or the door is

opened.

• Gate Used | OR gate.

• Reasoning | An OR gate outputs 1 (true) if either of its inputs is 1. This matches our

need to trigger the alarm if either motion is detected (M = 1) or the door is opened

(D = 1).

• Logic Expression | M OR D

Step 2 | Consider the Security Code

• Logic Needed | The alarm should not trigger if the correct security code is entered.

• Gate Used | NOT gate.

 • Reasoning | A NOT gate inverts its input. If the correct code is entered (C = 1), the

NOT gate will output 0, indicating that the alarm should not trigger.

• Logic Expression | NOT C

Step 3 | Combine the Conditions

• Logic Needed | The alarm should trigger based on motion or door status, but this

should be overridden if the correct code is entered.

• Gate Used | AND gate.

• Reasoning | An AND gate outputs 1 only if both its inputs are 1. By connecting the

output of the OR gate (M OR D) and the output of the NOT gate (NOT C) to an AND

gate, the alarm will trigger only if there is motion or the door is opened and the

correct code is not entered.

• Final Logic Expression | (M OR D) AND (NOT C)

Notice in the logic diagram above A and B have been added as intermediate values, doing

this is good practice as it allows you to methodically label and trace the circuit in a truth

table.
Create a Truth Table | The truth table below is a method of visually displaying the

outcomes of a logic gate or all of the possible outcomes of a logic circuit.

X - ALARM
M D C A (M OR D) B (NOT C)
(A AND B)

O O O O 1 O

O O 1 O O O

O 1 O 1 1 1

O 1 1 1 O O

1 O O 1 1 1

1 O 1 1 O O

1 1 O 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 O O

When listing binary values for the inputs in a truth table, it's important to follow a logical

and systematic order. For a scenario with three inputs, you should list the binary values

starting from 000 and incrementing up to 111. This sequence follows the standard binary

counting method, ensuring that all possible combinations of inputs are covered

systematically. Be aware that failing to list the binary values in this correct order could

result in your answer being marked incorrect. This methodical approach is essential for

accuracy and completeness in your work with logic circuits.

EXAMPLE PROBLEM STATEMENT 3

Design a control system for a specialized manufacturing robot. The robot should activate a

specific function (X) based on the following conditions: The function should be active if

either the safety sensor (A) is not triggered or the manual override (B) is engaged, but not

if the system is in maintenance mode (C). Additionally, this function should also be active if
both the safety sensor is triggered and the system is not in maintenance mode, but not if

the manual override is disengaged.

Breaking Down the Problem Statement

INPUTS

• A (Safety Sensor) | A represents the safety sensor (1 if triggered, 0 if not).

• B (Manual Override) | B represents the manual override (1 if engaged, 0 if not).

• C (Maintenance Mode) | C represents the maintenance mode (1 if in maintenance, 0

if not).

OUTPUT

• Activate robot (X) | 1 if the system should activate, 0 if not.

WORKING OUT WHAT GATES ARE NEEDED

Step 1 | Safety sensor or override

• Logic Needed | Check if the safety sensor is not triggered or the manual override is

engaged. Ensure the system is not in maintenance mode

• Gate Used | NOT gate for A / OR gate for NOT A and B / NOR gate combining the

output of the OR gate with C.

• Logic Expression | ((NOT A OR B) NOR C)

Step 2 | Safety sensor and not in maintenance mode

• Logic Needed | Check if both the safety sensor is triggered and the system is not in

maintenance mode. Ensure the manual override is not disengaged.

• Gate Used | AND gate for A and C / NOR gate combining the output of the AND gate

with B.

• Logic Expression | ((A AND C) NOR B)

Step 3 | Combining both parts

• Logic Needed | First Part NAND Second Part. Combine the two conditions: (1) safety

sensor not triggered/manual override engaged, not in maintenance, and (2) safety

sensor triggered, not in maintenance, manual override not disengaged.

• Gate Used | NAND gate combining the outputs of the two NOR gates.

• Final Logic Expression | X= ((NOT A OR B) NOR C) NAND ((A AND C) NOR B)

The truth table below represents the circuit - remember to list the intermediate values (D,

E, F, G, H) in your truth tables to avoid simple mistakes being made.

SCENARIO

Design a digital system for a library's automated lighting and security system. The lights

should turn on if either it is dark outside (D) or if there are people in the library (P). The

security alarm should be activated if it is dark and the library is supposed to be closed (C),

but there are still people inside (P).

INPUTS

• Dark Outside (D): 1 if it's dark outside, 0 otherwise.

• People in Library (P): 1 if people are present, 0 if the library is empty.

• Library Closed (C): 1 if the library is supposed to be closed, 0 otherwise.

OUTPUTS

• Lights (L): 1 if lights should be on, 0 if off.

• Security Alarm (S): 1 if the alarm should be activated, 0 if not.

TASKS

1. Create the 2 Logic Expressions for this scenario

2. Create a truth table for this scenario

3. Create the logic circuit for this scenario