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XOR and XNOR Logic Gates

Sep 16, 2025

Overview

This lecture covers the XOR and XNOR logic gates, their truth tables, Boolean expressions, symbols, and key properties.

XOR Gate (Exclusive OR)

  • XOR (Exclusive OR) gate has two inputs and one output.
  • Its truth table outputs 1 when inputs are different; 0 when inputs are the same.
  • Boolean expression: ( f = A'B + AB' ) or ( f = A \oplus B ).
  • Symbol: Similar to OR gate but with an extra curved line before the input.
  • Used in applications such as parity checkers.

XNOR Gate (Exclusive NOR)

  • XNOR gate is the inverse of XOR; also called the equivalence gate.
  • Its truth table outputs 1 when inputs are the same; 0 when inputs are different.
  • Boolean expression: ( f = A'B' + AB ).
  • Symbol: Similar to XOR symbol with a negation bubble on the output.

XOR Gate Properties and Examples

  • ( A \oplus 0 = A ) (XOR with 0 returns the original value).
  • ( A \oplus 1 = A' ) (XOR with 1 inverts the value).
  • XOR is commutative: ( A \oplus B = B \oplus A ).
  • XOR is associative: ( (A \oplus B) \oplus C = A \oplus (B \oplus C) ).

Key Terms & Definitions

  • XOR (Exclusive OR) gate — Outputs 1 if inputs are different, 0 if inputs are the same.
  • XNOR (Exclusive NOR) gate — Outputs 1 if inputs are the same, 0 if different.
  • Boolean expression — Logical equation representing gate output.
  • Parity Checker — Circuit that checks if the number of 1s is even or odd.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Review the truth tables, Boolean expressions, and symbols for XOR and XNOR gates.
  • Practice simplifying Boolean expressions involving XOR and XNOR.
  • Prepare for questions on properties and applications of XOR/XNOR gates.