Saumya Arora

INFO 102
Sarora12
Lab Section- AB3
Lab #2 Report
Procedure:
In this lab, we used the LogicCircuit program once again but this time we started off with

a template that already had some of the circuits built for us. In this template there were 6 circuits,

Carry, Converter, Counter, LED Display, Ripple, and Seven. Every circuit was complete except

for Counter and our task was to build this circuit. Then we started the building process and used

a new tool called “splitter” circuits. We also used a RAM circuit to build Converter because we

wanted 1 address bit and 4 data bits so we set it up just like that. Then, we permanently wired the

address input “a” to 0. After this, we took the data output from Ripple and combined them

together with the one input form the RAM circuit. At the end of this process I was able to see the

clear pattern staring at the value 0x0 and ending at 0xF. After completing the circuit Counter the

other circuits, LED Display and Seven were able to work as well because they use Counter. I

was able to simulate these circuits as well. Finally, I could see lights flashing in the circuits.

Results:
After completing this lab, I observed and realized that complex circuits are usually a

combination and connection of simpler basic circuits. Thus, combining them can create complex

circuits that are able to perform more intricate functions and operations. Once I completed the

circuit Counter I was able to see all the other circuits come into place and work with Counter to

create the bigger operation. Another observation I made was that at the end of the tasks I was

able to see lights flashing and they were flashing in a certain pattern. I believe that this pattern

had to do with the inputs, outputs, and operations being utilized through the circuit. I observed

how the clock was generating the outputs that went through the Counter circuit. Furthermore, I
noticed that the outputs used previously go in as the inputs next, which in turn create the pattern

of the lights. Below I added pictures from my lab process and the different circuits that were a

part of the bigger picture.

Discussion:
1. What is the circuit “Counter” doing? What job is “Ripple” doing in this circuit? What are the

two inputs to Ripple and what is the RAM doing?

The circuit Counter is uses a clock and the input of this clock depends on the previous

outputs, in this case it comes out of Ripple. The Ripple circuit works in the way it is named, it

ripples through and and the outputs from the past are used for the inputs in the next. The

outcomes in the two inputs of Ripple are either 0 or 1 and the RAM comes into place because it

holds the information about the previous cycle of the process.

2. What role is the clock playing in “Counter”?

In Counter the clock plays a very important role because it is entering the circuit as the

input. These values that are going into Counter and are dependent on the previous inputs. Then

the clock switches and will cycle up and down.

3. Why can’t we build a truth table for “Counter”?

We cannot build a truth table for Counter because there is a clock in it and this affects

how the circuit operates. Furthermore, because of this the value will only either be 0 or 1 so there
is no need for a truth table. The clock allows for the operation to happen in a consistent square

wave signal.

4. What does the circuit “Converter” do? It’s a bit messy, but write a Boolean expression for

output bit 4 of “Converter” based on the 4 input bits in0, in1, in2, and in3.

The circuit Converter takes the values from the function Counter and converts all the data

to 16 bits. As every 4 bits represents an integer (a number on the clock), the converter will store

the four numbers in memory addresses.

A= bit 0 B= bit 1 C= bit 2 D= bit 3

if D+A = true {
Converter = 9;
} if D = true {
Converter = 8;
} if C+B+A = true {
Converter = 7;
} if C+B = true {
Converter = 6;
} if C+A = true {
Converter = 5;
} if C = true {
Converter = 4;
} if B+A = true {
Converter = 3;
} if B = true {
Converter = 2;
} if A = true {
Converter = 1;
} else {
 Converter = 0;
};
5. What does the circuit “LED Display” do? How do “Counter” and “Converter” relate to what

you observe when you power up “LED Display”?

When the circuit LED Display lit up, Counter and Converter had the effect of changing

the pattern of the lights as the count changed and the converter helped to store the four integer

values in the memory addresses.

6. What does the circuit “Seven” do? Assume “Counter” and “Converter” work similar to the

way they do in “LED Display.” What is the big messy circuit in the middle doing? What happens

if you delete the wire going in to pin d of the “7-seg” circuit and power on? Can you write a

Boolean expression for pin d of the “7-seg” circuit based on the outputs of the splitter?

Circuit 7 takes the value of the counter, which goes to converter, which then takes the

value and puts it into memory cells. Then, the value is stored in different memory cells on the

switch (notice the change in the memory address from the first switch to the second) and then

takes that value back to the converter to be changed into a different integer.

If you were to delete the wire going to pin d of the “7-seg” circuit, part of the value that is

being converted and stored in the memory address would not be recorded. In some situations, the

value would be changed to the wrong value, but in others, the circuit would not run, due to the

values that need to be recorded for the clock. You cannot write a boolean statement for pin d,

because there are two values that can be evaluated with pin d (8 and 9).

Conclusions:
After completing this lab, I was able to gain and even better understand of how complex

circuits are built and the foundational principles that relate to them. Last week, we started at the
basics and this week we were able to build on the principles we learned and create a more

complex and multifaceted circuit. By actually building it and getting to do it myself, I was able

to gain a better visual perspective on circuit building and because we had step by step directions,

it helped clarify any confusion and problems. Moreover, this weeks lab didn’t only connect to

what we learned about circuits the week before but it also connected to the concept of Boolean

expressions which we learned at the beginning of this course. By completing the circuit Counter

I was able to see how all the other circuits worked into the overall operation and how Counter fit

into them as well. Overall, I enjoyed doing this lab and feel that I have gained a much deeper

understanding of how all the principles we learned in lecture apply and fit into the process of

building a working circuit.