← Electronics syllabus

WalesElectronics

Component 1: Logic Systems

3 dot points across 3 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you design a combinational logic circuit from a specification and simplify it with a Karnaugh map?

Combinational logic design: deriving a circuit from a truth table or specification, sum-of-products form, simplification with Karnaugh maps, and building any function from NAND gates only.
A focused answer to WJEC A-Level Electronics combinational logic design, covering deriving a circuit from a truth table, sum-of-products form, simplification using Karnaugh maps, the universality of the NAND gate, and the design process from specification to gates.
12 min answer →

What do the logic gates do, and how does Boolean algebra describe and simplify a logic circuit?

Logic gates and Boolean algebra: AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR and XNOR gates, truth tables, Boolean expressions, and the laws of Boolean algebra including De Morgan's theorems.
A focused answer to WJEC A-Level Electronics logic gates and Boolean algebra, covering the AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR and XNOR gates, their truth tables and symbols, writing Boolean expressions, and the laws of Boolean algebra including De Morgan's theorems.
12 min answer →

How do flip-flops store a bit, and how are they used to build counters and registers?

Sequential logic and flip-flops: the difference between combinational and sequential logic, the SR latch, D-type and JK flip-flops, clocking, and using flip-flops to build counters and shift registers.
A focused answer to WJEC A-Level Electronics sequential logic, covering the difference between combinational and sequential logic, the SR latch, D-type and JK flip-flops, clocking and edge triggering, and how flip-flops are connected to make counters and shift registers.
12 min answer →