Microcontroller Architecture Microcontroller architecture may be defined in several ways. These include architecture used by the processor to access memory, architecture used for mapping special-function registers into memory space and the processor architecture itself. Architecture to Access Memory There are two fundamental architectures used by the processing units to access memory, namely Von Neumann architecture […]

Interfacing of Logic Families CMOS and TTL are the two most widely used logic families. Although ICs belonging to the same logic family have no special interface requirements, that is, the output of one can directly feed the input of the other, the same is not true if we have to interconnect digital ICs belonging

CMOS Logic Family The CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) logic family uses both N-type and P-type MOSFETs (enhancement MOSFETs, to be more precise) to realize different logic functions. The two types of MOSFET are designed to have matching characteristics. That is, they exhibit identical characteristics in switch-OFF and switch-ON conditions. The main advantage of the

ECL Logic Family The ECL family is the fastest logic family in the group of bipolar logic families. The characteristic features that give this logic family its high speed or short propagation delay are outlined as follows: Subfamilies of ECL Logic Family Different subfamilies of ECL logic include MECL-I, MECL-II, MECL-III, MECL 10K, MECL 10H

TTL Logic Family TTL stands for transistor transistor logic. It is a logic family implemented with bipolar process technology that combines or integrates NPN transistors, PN junction diodes and diffused resistors in a single monolithic structure to get the desired logic function. The NAND gate is the basic building block of this logic family. Different

Characteristics Parameters of Logic Families In this atricle, we will briefly describe the parameters used to characterize different logic families. Some of these characteristic parameters, as we will see in the paragraphs to follow, are also used to compare different logic families. HIGH-level input current, IIH. This is the current flowing into (taken as positive)

Digital integrated circuits are produced using several different circuit configurations and production technologies. Each such approach is called a specific logic family. In this article, we will discuss different logic families used to hardware-implement different logic functions in the form of digital integrated circuits. There are a variety of circuit configurations or more appropriately various

Logic Gates Logic gates are electronic circuits that can be used to implement the most elementary logic expressions, also known as Boolean expressions. The logic gate is the most basic building block of combinational logic. There are three basic logic gates, namely the OR gate, the AND gate and the NOT gate. Other logic gates

Frequency Counter The most basic function of a frequency counter is the measurement of an unknown frequency. Modern frequency counters, however, offer much more than just frequency measurement. Other related parameters such as the time period, which is the reciprocal of frequency, the time interval between two events and the totalize count, which is nothing

Frequency Synthesizers Frequency synthesizers generate sinusoidal signals of extremely high frequency stability and exceptional output level accuracy. Frequency synthesizers and similar instruments such as synthesized function/signal generators are used to provide test signals for characterization of devices, subsystems and systems. Synthesized function generators, in addition to providing spectrally pure and accurate CW sinusoidal signals, also