Logic AND Gates: What Is An AND gate

Context: Electronic Circuits

A logic AND gate is an integrated circuit (IC) that switches its output on only if both of its input pins are on or ‘HIGH’. Its output pin will be off (and the condition false) if any of its input pins are off.

A logical ON is referred to as a ‘1’ and a logical OFF is referred to as a ‘0’.

AND gate operation:

• If input pin 1 = off and input pin 2 = off: Output pin = off;
• If input pin 1 = on and input pin 2 = off: Output pin = off;
• If input pin 1 = off and input pin 2 = on: Output pin = off;
• If input pin 1 = on and input pin 2 = on: Output pin = on.

As the list of conditions above show, the AND gate requires both inputs to be on in order to go HIGH.

Further Reading

Logic OR Gates: What Is An OR Gate

Logic NOR gates: Understanding NOR Gate Operation