KIMATHI UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

University Examinations 2010/2011

SECOND YEAR SUPPLEMENTARY/SPECIAL EXAMINATION FOR THE
DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE/
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

ICS 2205: Digital Logic

DATE: 10 November 2010
TIME: 8.30 am 10.30 am
th

Instructions: Answer Question 1 and Any Other Two.

INSTRUCTIONS
Answer question one and any other two questions
Question one
(a) (i) Explain the main feature of Gray code which is different to ordinary
binary code?
(2marks)
(b) ((i)
Drive the Boolean equation for the circuit below
(2marks)

(ii)
(iii)

use Boolean algebra to simplify the equation of (b i)

above
(6marks)
Implement the minimized circuit in (b ii) above using
basic gates.
(4marks)

Page 1 of 3

(c)

(i) Explain what you understand by the following terms: Standard sum of
products form (SOP) and Standard product of sums form (POS)
(4 marks)
(ii) Implement the POS expression (A + B)(B + C + D) (A + C) using
NAND gates only
(4 marks)
(d)
With the aid of digital logic circuits show how the NOR gates can
used to implement the AND, OR and NAND functions
(5 marks)
(e)
Using truth table explains the operation of an EX-OR gate and draw
symbol
(3marks)
Question 2
A mission control systems uses four indication lights A, B, C to monitor
the performance of its fuel combustion, it required that a warning buzzer
is to sound when the following conditions occur.
1.
A and B are on
2.
A, B and C are on
3.
B, on C are on
4.
A and C are down
(a)
(i) Represent the above conditions of the system in a truth table
(3marks)
(ii) Drive the Boolean equation for output from the resulting truth
table in (a i) above
(4marks)
(b)
Simplify the above Boolean expression
(5marks)
(c)

(i)
(ii)

Explain the advantages of edge triggered flip-flops over the

level triggered flip-flops.
(2 marks)
Describe the operation of D- Latch
(6 marks)

Question 3
(a)

(i) With the aid of a truth table drive the expression for the sum
and carry of a full Adder
(4 marks)

(b)

(ii) Reduce the expressions in (i) using Boolean algebra and then
Implement the logic circuit using basic gates
(7 marks)
With the aid of block diagram Show how a full adder can be
implemented from half adders
(6 marks)
Sketch the logic circuit and the truth table of a S-R flip flop using
NOR gates
(3marks)

(c)

Page 2 of 3

Question 4
(a)

(b)

(c)

(i) Design a three bit Gray code to binary code converter and
implement the circuit using exclusive-OR gates only (8 marks)
(ii) With the aid of a block diagram, describe the operation of a
1-of-4 multiplexer.
(6marks)
State the applications of following digital logic circuits:
(i) Encoders
(ii) Decoders
(iii) Ring counter
(3 marks)
State limitations of the ripple through (asynchronous) counters.
(3 marks)

Question 5
(a)

(i)
(ii)

Use Boolean algebra proof that

(3marks)
Convert the following binary numbers into gray code and from
gray to binary
(2marks)
Binary numbers
1101111
1001101

Gray code

1010101
1111001
(b)

(c)

(i)

(ii)

With aid of an appropriate block and timing diagrams diagram s

describe how 4 bit serial shift register can be loaded with the
binary data 1011
(8marks)
Use K-map or otherwise to simplify the logic diagram below.

Draw simplified logic diagram

Page 3 of 3

(5marks)
(2 marks)