NOR logic

NOR logic, in digital electronics, refers to the implementation of logic gates using only NOR gates. A NOR gate is a digital logic gate that implements logical NOR – it produces a high (1) output only when all of its inputs are low (0); otherwise, the output is low (0).

NOR logic is significant because it is functionally complete. This means that any Boolean function can be implemented using only NOR gates. This property makes NOR gates a universal gate. Other universal gates include NAND gates.

The functional completeness of NOR gates allows for the construction of any digital circuit using only this single type of gate. This can simplify manufacturing processes and reduce the number of different components needed in a circuit design. Using De Morgan's Laws, all other basic logic gates (AND, OR, NOT) can be constructed from NOR gates.

For example:

• NOT: A NOT gate (inverter) can be implemented by connecting the two inputs of a NOR gate together. The output will be the inverse of the single input.

• OR: An OR gate can be implemented by following a NOR gate with a NOT gate (constructed as described above).

• AND: An AND gate can be implemented by preceding a NOR gate with two NOT gates (one on each input).

The selection of NOR logic (or NAND logic) in a specific design often depends on factors such as power consumption, propagation delay, and the specific manufacturing process being used. While functionally equivalent, different gate implementations may have varying performance characteristics in practice.