5 - Digital Devices

In the previous chapter we saw how logical functions could be implemented using circuit components. When dealing with gates, the devices that performed the logic functions, we were not too concerned with the how these functions were implemented using circuit components, but instead our interest was focused on the ability of the device to perform the logic function. Similarly, certain arrangement of gates are of special interest to the computer engineer because these arrangements can be used as building blocks to create the various components of the computer. A good understanding of these building blocks are the key to understanding the internal workings of the computer. Just as a gate is represented symbolically to indicate the function without any reference to its internal components, these building blocks are also represented using block diagrams to indicate the specific function of the device.