Electrical Characteristics

In this topic we will be covering

• Electrical Characteristics of logic families

• Operating conditions and characteristics
• Fan-out
• Noise Margins
• Low-power Schottky TTL family
• Other TTL families
• Summary of TTL Families
• CMOS
 4-9 Basic Characteristics of Digital ICs
 IC “chips” consist of resistors, diodes, and transistors
fabricated on a piece of semiconductor material called a
substrate.
 Digital ICs may be categorized according to the number
of logic gates on the substrate:
 SSI – less than 12
 MSI – 12 to 99
 LSI – 100 to 9999
 VLSI – 10,000 to 99,999
 ULSI – 100,000 to 999,999
 GSI – 1,000,000 or more
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Digital Systems: Principles and Columbus, OH 43235
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 Operating conditions and characteristics
Symbol Definition

fmax Maximum clock frequency

ICC Supply current is the current into the VCC supply terminal of an integrated circuit1.

ICCH Supply current, outputs high. The current that flows into the VCC supply terminal
of an integrated circuit when all (or a specified number) of the outputs are at the high
level.
ICCL Supply current, outputs low. The current that flows into the VCC supply terminal
of an integrated circuit when all (or a specified number) of the outputs are at the low
level.
VIH High-level input voltage. This is the voltage level specified as representing a logic 1
at the input. A minimum is usually given. A value below this minimum is not
recognised as a logic 1.

VIL Low-level input voltage. It is the input voltage level taken to be a logic 0 at the
input. A maximum value is usually specified. Any voltage above this level is not
recognised as a logic 0 input.
1 Current out of a terminal is given as a negative value.
Symbol Definition

IIH High-level input current. Current that flows into an input when a high-level
voltage is applied to that input.
IIL Low-level input current. Current that flows into an input when a low-level voltage
is applied to that input.
VOH High-level output voltage. This is the voltage specified as a logical 1 at the output.
A minimum is usually specified by the manufacturers. A voltage below this
minimum is not considered a logical 1 output.
VOL Low-level output voltage. This is the voltage specified as a logical 0 at the output.
A maximum value is usually given. An output greater than this maximum
value is not considered as a logical 0 output.
IOH High-level output current. The current that flows into the output terminal when it
is at a logical 1 state under specified load conditions. This current is negative
if it flows out of the output.
IOL Low-level output current. The current that flows into the output terminal when it
is at a logical 0 state under specified load conditions. The current is negative if
it flows out of the output.
Symbol Definition

tpd Propagation delay time. This is the delay between a change occurring on the input
of the device and the resultant change appearing on the output. (See figure 2.1
below.)The delay is measured between the input passing through a reference voltage
and the corresponding output passing through the same reference voltage. Two
values for the delay may be measured. One is between the input changing and the
output going from low to high. This is termed tPLH. The other is between the input
changing and the output going from high to low. This latter is called tPHL. A
characteristic value of tpd may be taken to be the average of tPLH and tPHL, namely:
t PLH + t PHL
t pd =
Vin 2
Vref

t
Vout

Vref
Figure 2.1:
t Diagram showing propagation delay time
t PLH t PHL
 8-3 TTL Data Sheets

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Digital Systems: Principles and All rights reserved..
Applications, 10e
 8-3 TTL Data Sheets

Ronald Tocci/Neal Widmer/Gregory Copyright ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Moss Columbus, OH 43235
Digital Systems: Principles and All rights reserved..
Applications, 10e
 8-3 TTL Data Sheets

Ronald Tocci/Neal Widmer/Gregory Copyright ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Moss Columbus, OH 43235
Digital Systems: Principles and All rights reserved..
Applications, 10e
 8-5 TTL Loading and Fan Out
 Fan out refers to the load drive capability of an IC
output
 A TTL output has a limit on how much current it can sink
in the LOW state
 A TTL output has a limit on how much current it can
source in the HIGH state.
 Exceeding these currents will result in output voltage
levels outside specified ranges

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Moss Copyright ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Digital Systems: Principles and Columbus, OH 43235
Applications, 10e All rights reserved..
 8-5 TTL Loading and Fan Out
 Determining fan out
 Add the IIH for all inputs connected to an output. The sum
must be less than the output IOH specification.
 Add the IIL for all inputs connected to an output. The sum
must be less than the output IOL specification.

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Moss Copyright ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Digital Systems: Principles and Columbus, OH 43235
Applications, 10e All rights reserved..
8-5 TTL Loading and Fan Out
 To find the fan-out of a device we
divide its high-level output current,
IOH, by the high-level input current,
IIH, of the devices connected to its
output, that is:

high - level output current I

fan - out = = OH
high - level input current I IH

 In this calculation, we have assumed

that the output of the device is in a
logic 1 state. The output device acts
like a current source from which the
gates connected to its output draw
their input currents.
 8-5 TTL Loading and Fan Out
 In a similar way, the fan-out may be
calculated by considering the output
of the device at a logic 0 state. For
this, the fan-out is:

low - level output current I OL

fan - out = =
low - level input current I IL

 In this case, the output device is

acting like a current sink into which
the (negative) input currents of the
gates connected to its output flow.
Noise Margins
 The noise margin
represents the output
range of one logic
device and the input Volts
requirements of
another Output range Input requirements

2.4 V
Noise margin = 0.4 V
2.0 V

0.8 V Noise margin = 0.4 V

0.4 V

Figure 2.3: Diagram showing noise margins

 8-3 TTL Data Sheets
 First line of TTL ICs was the 54/74 series
 54 series operates over a wider temperature range
 Same numbering system, prefix indicates
manufacturer
 SN – Texas Instruments
 DM – National Semiconductor
 S – Signetics
 DM7402, SN7402, S7402 all perform the same function
 Data sheets contain electrical characteristics,
switching characteristics, and recommended
operating conditions.
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 8-4 TTL Series Characteristics
 Standard 74 series TTL has evolved into other
series:
 Standard TTL, 74 series
 Schottky TTL, 74S series
 Low power Schottky TTL, 74LS series (LS-TTL)
 Advanced Schottky TTL, 74AS series (AS-TTL)
 Advanced low power Schottky TTL, 74ALS series
 74F fast TTL
 Refer to Table 8-6 for a comparison between the
series characteristics
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Moss Copyright ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Digital Systems: Principles and Columbus, OH 43235
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Power-delay product
Two parameters that are most widely used to characterise the performance of
logic families are propagation delay time and power dissipation. These are
often combined to form a figure of merit which is used to compare different
logic families. This is called the power-delay product, given by:

Power-delay product = Propagation delay time * Power dissipation = tpd * PD

Since we like to have both PD and tpd low, the lower the power-delay product,
the better the circuit. The power dissipation is obtained by multiplying the
supply voltage, VCC, by the supply current, ICC. The supply current, ICC, is
given by the average of ICCH and ICCL, or
I I
I CC = CCH + CCL
2

Similarly, we may find the propagation delay time by averaging tPLH and tPHL,
or
t + t PHL
t pd = PLH
2
Power-delay product
For the standard TTL quad 2-input NAND gate (7400) we have:
1 (4 + 12) mA
I CC = = 2 mA per NAND gate
4 2
PD = 5 V × 2 mA = 10 mW

t pd =
(7 + 11) ns = 9 ns
Thus: 2
Power-delay product = 10 × 10-3 W * 9 × 10-9 s = 9 × 10-11 J

For the low-power Schottky quad 2-input NAND gate (74LS00) we have:
Thus: 1 (0.8 + 2.4) mA
I CC = = 0.4 mA per NAND gate
4 2
PD = 5 V × 0.4 mA = 2 mW

t pd =
(9 + 10) ns = 9.5 ns
2
Power-delay product = 2 × 10-3 W * 9.5 × 10-9 s = 1.9 × 10-11 J
This second figure is a factor of 4.7 times smaller than that for the standard
TTL circuit.
 Summary of TTL families
In our discussions here, we have mentioned two TTL families—the standard TTL and the low-
power Schottky TTL series. We end this section by summarising the available TTL families and
giving a comparison of some of their characteristics.

• Low-power TTL (L TTL). The ICs in this group are designated the 74L00 series.
They are essentially the same as the standard 7400 series except that their power
dissipation is lower. The trade-off is a longer propagation delay.
• High-speed TTL (H TTL). These are designated the 74H00 series. The ICs are
again the same as those in the standard 7400 series. They are, however, faster with an
average propagation delay time of 6 ns. This is obtained at the expense of a higher
power dissipation with an average of 23 mW. This series is obsolete.
• Schottky TTL (S TTL). This is also known as the 74S00 series. The circuits have
about twice the speed of the H TTL series with about the same power dissipation.
They replace the circuits of the 74H00 series.
• Low-power Schottky TTL (LS TTL). This 74LS00 series is the lower-power series
of the 74S00 series. The lower power is obtained at the expense of a slightly larger
propagation delay time.
Summary of TTL families
TTL series

Parameter Standard L TTL H TTL S TTL LS TTL

VCC (V) 5 5 5 5 5
VOH (min) (V) 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.7 2.7

VOL (max) (V) 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.5

VIH (min) (V) 2 2 2 2 2

VIL (max) (V) 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8

tpd (ns) 9 33 6 3 9.5

PD (mW) 10 1 23 23 2
fmax (MHz) 25 3 40 80 30
CMOS
An alternative to the bipolar transistor digital circuits of the TTL logic is the CMOS
logic family. The first widely used CMOS logic family was the 4000 series introduced
in the early 1970s. A wide supply voltage range (3−15 V) can be used with these
devices. The average propagation delay time is long, ranging from 20 ns to 150 ns.

The 4000 series is now superseded by the 74HC and 74HCT series of devices. The
74HC and 74HCT series provide significantly shorter propagation delay times working
with a supply rail voltage of 2–6 V. The 74HCT series devices provide VOH and VIH that
are equal to those for TTL devices and they are therefore compatible with the TTL
families. Recent developments gave us the so-called advanced CMOS 74AC and
74ACT series. These are designed for high-speed operations.

Parameter 4000/74C 74HC/74HCT 74AC/74ACT

tpd (ns) 120 8 3

PD (µW/gate) 0.005 10 50
Noise margin (V) 1.5 0.9/0.5 0.9/0.5
 4-9 Basic Characteristics of Digital ICs
 The TTL family consists of subfamilies as listed
in table 4-6.
 The 74 series devices are all part of the standard TTL
series.
 The 74LS series devices are all part of the low power
Schottky TTL series.
 The differences between devices is limited to electrical
characteristics like power dissipation and switching speed.
The pin layout and logic operations are the same.
 The 7404, 74S04, 74LS04, and 74ALS04 are all hex (six to
a chip) inverters.

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Moss Copyright ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Digital Systems: Principles and Columbus, OH 43235
Applications, 10e All rights reserved..
 4-9 Basic Characteristics of Digital ICs
 The CMOS family consists of several series, some of
which are shown in table 4-7.
 CMOS devices perform the same function as, but are
not necessarily pin for pin compatible with TTL
devices.
 Characteristics of TTL and CMOS devices will be
explored in more detail in chapter 8.

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 4-9 Basic Characteristics of Digital ICs
 Power (referred to as VCC) and ground connections
are required for chip operation.
 VCC for TTL devices is normally +5 V.
 VDD for CMOS devices can be from +3 to +18 V.
 Logic levels for TTL and CMOS devices are shown
in figure 4-31.

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 4-9 Basic Characteristics of Digital ICs
 Voltages that fall in the indeterminate range will
provide unpredictable results and should be avoided.

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 4-9 Basic Characteristics of Digital ICs
 Inputs that are not connected are said to be floating.
The consequences of floating inputs differ for TTL
and CMOS.
 Floating TTL input acts like a logic 1. The voltage
measurement may appear in the indeterminate range, but
the device will behave as if there is a 1 on the floating
input.
 Floating CMOS inputs can cause overheating and damage
to the device. Some ICs have protection circuits built in,
but the best practice is to tie all unused inputs either high
or low.
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Moss Copyright ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Digital Systems: Principles and Columbus, OH 43235
Applications, 10e All rights reserved..
 4-10 Troubleshooting Digital Systems
 3 basic steps
 Fault detection, determine operation to expected
operation.
 Fault isolation, test and measure to isolate the fault.
 Fault correction, repair the fault.
 Good troubleshooting skills come through
experience in actual hands-on troubleshooting.
 The basic troubleshooting tools used here will be:
the logic probe, oscilloscope, and logic pulser.
 The most important tool is the technician’s brain.
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Moss Copyright ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.
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 4-10 Troubleshooting Digital Systems
 The logic probe will indicate the presence or
absence of a signal when touched to a pin as
indicated below.

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Moss Copyright ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.
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 4-11 Internal Digital IC Faults
 Most common internal failures:
 Malfunction in the internal circuitry.
 Inputs or outputs shorted to ground or VCC
 Inputs or outputs open-circuited
 Short between two pins (other than ground or
VCC)

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Moss Copyright ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Digital Systems: Principles and Columbus, OH 43235
Applications, 10e All rights reserved..
 4-11 Internal Digital IC Faults
 Malfunction in internal circuitry
 Outputs do not respond properly to inputs. Outputs are unpredictable.
 Input internally shorted to ground or supply
 The input will be stuck in LOW or HIGH state.
 Output internally shorted to ground or supply
 Output will be stuck in LOW or HIGH state.
 Open-circuited input or output
 Floating input in a TTL device will result in a HIGH output. Floating
input in a CMOS device will result in erratic or possibly destructive
output.
 An open output will result in a floating indication.
 Short between two pins
 The signal at those pins will always be identical.
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 4-12 External Faults
 Open signal lines – signal is prevented from moving
between points. Some causes:
 Broken wire
 Poor connections (solder or wire-wrap)
 Cut or crack on PC board trace
 Bent or broken IC pins.
 Faulty IC socket
 Detect visually and verify with an ohmmeter.

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Moss Copyright ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Digital Systems: Principles and Columbus, OH 43235
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 4-12 External Faults
 Shorted signal lines – the same signal will appear on
two or more pins. VCC or ground may also be
shorted. Some causes:
 Sloppy wiring
 Solder bridges
 Incomplete etching
 Detect visually and verify with an ohmmeter.

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Moss Copyright ©2007 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Digital Systems: Principles and Columbus, OH 43235
Applications, 10e All rights reserved..
 4-12 External Faults
 Faulty power supply – ICs will not operate or will
operate erratically.
 May lose regulation due to an internal fault or because
circuits are drawing too much current.
 Always verify that power supplies are providing the
specified range of voltages and are properly grounded.
 Use an oscilloscope to verify that AC signals are not
present.

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 4-12 External Faults
 Output loading – caused by connecting too many
inputs to the output of an IC.
 Causes output voltage to fall into the indeterminate range.
 This is called loading the output.
 Usually a result of poor design or bad connection.

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Applications, 10e All rights reserved..