Maurice Karnaugh, a telecommunications engineer,
developed the Karnaugh map at Bell Labs in 1953 while designing digital
logic based telephone switching circuits.
Now that we have developed the Karnaugh map with the aid of Venn
diagrams, let's put it to use. Karnaugh maps reduce logic functions
more quickly and easily compared to Boolean algebra. By reduce we mean
simplify, reducing the number of gates and inputs. We like to simplify logic
to a lowest cost form to save costs by elimination of components. We
define lowest cost as being the lowest number of gates with the lowest
number of inputs per gate.
Given a choice, most students do logic simplification with Karnaugh maps
rather than Boolean algebra once they learn this tool.
Karnaugh maps, truth tables, and Boolean expressions
We show five individual items above, which are just different ways of
representing the same thing: an arbitrary 2-input digital logic function.
First is relay ladder logic, then logic gates, a truth table, a Karnaugh
map, and a Boolean equation. The point is that any of these are equivalent.
Two inputs A and B can take on values of either 0 or
1, high or low, open or closed, True or False, as the case may be. There
are 22 = 4 combinations of inputs producing an output. This is
applicable to all five examples.
These four outputs may be observed on a lamp in the relay ladder logic,
on a logic probe on the gate diagram. These outputs may be recorded in the
truth table, or in the Karnaugh map. Look at the Karnaugh map as being a
rearranged truth table. The Output of the Boolean equation may be computed
by the laws of Boolean algebra and transfered to the truth table or Karnaugh
map. Which of the five equivalent logic descriptions should we use? The one
which is most useful for the task to be accomplished.
The outputs of a truth table correspond on a one-to-one basis to Karnaugh
map entries. Starting at the top of the truth table, the A=0, B=0 inputs
produce an output α. Note that this same output α is found in the Karnaugh
map at the A=0, B=0 cell address, upper left corner of K-map where the A=0
row and B=0 column intersect. The other truth table outputs β, χ, δ from
inputs AB=01, 10, 11 are found at corresponding K-map locations.
Below, we show the adjacent 2-cell regions in the 2-variable K-map with
the aid of previous rectangular Venn diagram like Boolean regions.
Cells α and χ are adjacent in the K-map as ellipses in the left most
K-map below. Referring to the previous truth table, this is not the case.
There is another truth table entry (β) between them. Which brings us to the
whole point of the organizing the K-map into a square array, cells with any
Boolean variables in common need to be close to one another so as to present
a pattern that jumps out at us. For cells α and χ they have the Boolean
variable B' in common. We know this because B=0 (same as B')
for the column above cells α and χ. Compare this to the square Venn diagram
above the K-map.
A similar line of reasoning shows that β and δ have Boolean B
(B=1) in common. Then, α and β have Boolean A' (A=0) in common.
Finally, χ and δ have Boolean A (A=1) in common. Compare the last two
maps to the middle square Venn diagram.
To summarize, we are looking for commonality of Boolean variables among
cells. The Karnaugh map is organized so that we may see that commonality.
Let's try some examples.
Transfer the contents of the truth table to the Karnaugh map above.
The truth table contains two 1s. the K- map must have both of
them. locate the first 1 in the 2nd row of the truth table above.
Repeat the process for the 1 in the last line of the truth table.
For the Karnaugh map in the above problem, write the Boolean expression.
Solution is below.
Look for adjacent cells, that is, above or to the side of a cell.
Diagonal cells are not adjacent. Adjacent cells will have one or more
Boolean variables in common.
Group (circle) the two 1s in the column
Find the variable(s) top and/or side which are the same for the group,
Write this as the Boolean result. It is B in our case.
Ignore variable(s) which are not the same for a cell group. In our
case A varies, is both 1 and 0, ignore Boolean A.
Ignore any variable not associated with cells containing 1s. B'
has no ones under it. Ignore B'
Result Out = B
This might be easier to see by comparing to the Venn diagrams to the
right, specifically the B column.
Write the Boolean expression for the Karnaugh map below.
Group (circle) the two 1's in the row
Find the variable(s) which are the same for the group, Out = A'
For the Truth table below, transfer the outputs to the Karnaugh, then
write the Boolean expression for the result.
Transfer the 1s from the locations in the Truth table to the
corresponding locations in the K-map.
Group (circle) the two 1's in the column under B=1
Group (circle) the two 1's in the row right of A=1
Write product term for first group = B
Write product term for second group = A
Write Sum-Of-Products of above two terms Output = A+B
The solution of the K-map in the middle is the simplest or lowest cost
solution. A less desirable solution is at far right. After grouping the two
1s, we make the mistake of forming a group of 1-cell. The reason that
this is not desirable is that:
The single cell has a product term of AB'
The corresponding solution is Output = AB' + B
This is not the simplest solution
The way to pick up this single 1 is to form a group of two with
the 1 to the right of it as shown in the lower line of the middle
K-map, even though this 1 has already been included in the column
group (B). We are allowed to re-use cells in order to form larger
groups. In fact, it is desirable because it leads to a simpler result.
We need to point out that either of the above solutions, Output or Wrong
Output, are logically correct. Both circuits yield the same output. It is a
matter of the former circuit being the lowest cost solution.
Fill in the Karnaugh map for the Boolean expression below, then write the
Boolean expression for the result.
The Boolean expression has three product terms. There will be a 1
entered for each product term. Though, in general, the number of 1s
per product term varies with the number of variables in the product term
compared to the size of the K-map. The product term is the address of the
cell where the 1 is entered. The first product term, A'B,
corresponds to the 01 cell in the map. A 1 is entered in this
cell. The other two P-terms are entered for a total of three 1s
Next, proceed with grouping and extracting the simplified result as in
the previous truth table problem.
Simplify the logic diagram below.
Write the Boolean expression for the original logic diagram as shown
Transfer the product terms to the Karnaugh map
Form groups of cells as in previous examples
Write Boolean expression for groups as in previous examples
Draw simplified logic diagram
Simplify the logic diagram below.
Write the Boolean expression for the original logic diagram shown
Transfer the product terms to the Karnaugh map.
It is not possible to form groups.
No simplification is possible; leave it as it is.
No logic simplification is possible for the above diagram. This sometimes
happens. Neither the methods of Karnaugh maps nor Boolean algebra can
simplify this logic further. We show an Exclusive-OR schematic symbol above;
however, this is not a logical simplification. It just makes a schematic
diagram look nicer. Since it is not possible to simplify the Exclusive-OR
logic and it is widely used, it is provided by manufacturers as a basic
integrated circuit (7486).
Logic simplification with Karnaugh maps
The logic simplification examples that we have done so could have been
performed with Boolean algebra about as quickly. Real world logic
simplification problems call for larger Karnaugh maps so that we may do
serious work. We will work some contrived examples in this section, leaving
most of the real world applications for the Combinatorial Logic chapter. By
contrived, we mean examples which illustrate techniques. This approach will
develop the tools we need to transition to the more complex applications in
the Combinatorial Logic chapter.
Larger 3-variable Karnaugh maps
We show our previously developed Karnaugh map. We will use the form on
Note the sequence of numbers across the top of the map. It is not in
binary sequence which would be 00, 01, 10, 11. It is 00, 01, 11 10,
which is Gray code sequence. Gray code sequence only changes one binary bit
as we go from one number to the next in the sequence, unlike binary. That
means that adjacent cells will only vary by one bit, or Boolean variable.
This is what we need to organize the outputs of a logic function so that we
may view commonality. Moreover, the column and row headings must be in Gray
code order, or the map will not work as a Karnaugh map. Cells sharing common
Boolean variables would no longer be adjacent, nor show visual patterns.
Adjacent cells vary by only one bit because a Gray code sequence varies by
only one bit.
If we sketch our own Karnaugh maps, we need to generate Gray code for any
size map that we may use. This is how we generate Gray code of any size.
Note that the Gray code sequence, above right, only varies by one bit as
we go down the list, or bottom to top up the list. This property of Gray
code is often useful in digital electronics in general. In particular, it is
applicable to Karnaugh maps.
Let us move on to some examples of simplification with 3-variable
Karnaugh maps. We show how to map the product terms of the unsimplified
logic to the K-map. We illustrate how to identify groups of adjacent cells
which leads to a Sum-of-Products simplification of the digital logic.
Above we, place the 1's in the K-map for each of the product terms,
identify a group of two, then write a p-term (product term) for the
sole group as our simplified result.
Mapping the four product terms above yields a group of four covered by
Mapping the four p-terms yields a group of four, which is covered by one
After mapping the six p-terms above, identify the upper group of four,
pick up the lower two cells as a group of four by sharing the two with two
more from the other group. Covering these two with a group of four gives a
simpler result. Since there are two groups, there will be two p-terms in the
Sum-of-Products result A'+B
The two product terms above form one group of two and simplifies to BC
Mapping the four p-terms yields a single group of four, which is B
Mapping the four p-terms above yields a group of four. Visualize the
group of four by rolling up the ends of the map to form a cylinder, then the
cells are adjacent. We normally mark the group of four as above left. Out of
the variables A, B, C, there is a common variable: C'. C' is a 0 over all
four cells. Final result is C'.
The six cells above from the unsimplified equation can be organized into
two groups of four. These two groups should give us two p-terms in our
simplified result of A' + C'.
Below, we revisit the Toxic Waste Incinerator from the Boolean algebra
chapter. See Boolean algebra chapter for details on this example. We will
simplify the logic using a Karnaugh map.
The Boolean equation for the output has four product terms. Map four 1's
corresponding to the p-terms. Forming groups of cells, we have three groups
of two. There will be three p-terms in the simplified result, one for each
group. See "Toxic Waste Incinerator", Boolean algebra chapter for a gate
diagram of the result, which is reproduced below.
Below we repeat the Boolean algebra simplification of Toxic waste
incinerator for comparison.
Below we repeat the Toxic waste incinerator Karnaugh map solution for
comparison to the above Boolean algebra simplification. This case
illustrates why the Karnaugh map is widely used for logic simplification.
The Karnaugh map method looks easier than the previous page of boolean
Larger 4-variable Karnaugh maps
Knowing how to generate Gray code should allow us to build larger maps.
Actually, all we need to do is look at the left to right sequence across the
top of the 3-variable map, and copy it down the left side of the 4-variable
map. See below.
The following four variable Karnaugh maps illustrate reduction of Boolean
expressions too tedious for Boolean algebra. Reductions could be done with
Boolean algebra. However, the Karnaugh map is faster and easier, especially
if there are many logic reductions to do.
The above Boolean expression has seven product terms. They are mapped top
to bottom and left to right on the K-map above. For example, the first
P-term A'B'CD is first row 3rd cell, corresponding to map location
A=0, B=0, C=1, D=1. The other product terms are placed in a similar
manner. Encircling the largest groups possible, two groups of four are shown
above. The dashed horizontal group corresponds the the simplified product
term AB. The vertical group corresponds to Boolean CD. Since there
are two groups, there will be two product terms in the Sum-Of-Products
result of Out=AB+CD.
Fold up the corners of the map below like it is a napkin to make the four
cells physically adjacent.
The four cells above are a group of four because they all have the
Boolean variables B' and D' in common. In other words, B=0
for the four cells, and D=0 for the four cells. The other variables
(A, B) are 0 in some cases, 1 in other cases with
respect to the four corner cells. Thus, these variables (A, B) are
not involved with this group of four. This single group comes out of the map
as one product term for the simplified result: Out=B'C'
For the K-map below, roll the top and bottom edges into a cylinder
forming eight adjacent cells.
The above group of eight has one Boolean variable in common: B=0.
Therefore, the one group of eight is covered by one p-term: B'. The
original eight term Boolean expression simplifies to Out=B'
The Boolean expression below has nine p-terms, three of which have three
Booleans instead of four. The difference is that while four Boolean variable
product terms cover one cell, the three Boolean p-terms cover a pair of
The six product terms of four Boolean variables map in the usual manner
above as single cells. The three Boolean variable terms (three each) map as
cell pairs, which is shown above. Note that we are mapping p-terms into the
K-map, not pulling them out at this point.
For the simplification, we form two groups of eight. Cells in the corners
are shared with both groups. This is fine. In fact, this leads to a better
solution than forming a group of eight and a group of four without sharing
any cells. Final Solution is Out=B'+D'
Below we map the unsimplified Boolean expression to the Karnaugh map.
Above, three of the cells form into a groups of two cells. A fourth cell
cannot be combined with anything, which often happens in "real world"
problems. In this case, the Boolean p-term ABCD is unchanged in the
simplification process. Result: Out= B'C'D'+A'B'D+ABCD
Often times there is more than one minimum cost solution to a
simplification problem. Such is the case illustrated below.
Both results above have four product terms of three Boolean variable
each. Both are equally valid minimal cost solutions. The difference
in the final solution is due to how the cells are grouped as shown above. A
minimal cost solution is a valid logic design with the minimum number of
gates with the minimum number of inputs.
Below we map the unsimplified Boolean equation as usual and form a group
of four as a first simplification step. It may not be obvious how to pick up
the remaining cells.
Pick up three more cells in a group of four, center above. There are
still two cells remaining. the minimal cost method to pick up those is to
group them with neighboring cells as groups of four as at above right.
On a cautionary note, do not attempt to form groups of three. Groupings
must be powers of 2, that is, 1, 2, 4, 8 ...
Below we have another example of two possible minimal cost solutions.
Start by forming a couple of groups of four after mapping the cells.
The two solutions depend on whether the single remaining cell is grouped
with the first or the second group of four as a group of two cells. That
cell either comes out as either ABC' or ABD, your choice.
Either way, this cell is covered by either Boolean product term. Final
results are shown above.
Below we have an example of a simplification using the Karnaugh map at
left or Boolean algebra at right. Plot C' on the map as the area of
all cells covered by address C=0, the 8-cells on the left of the map.
Then, plot the single ABCD cell. That single cell forms a group of
2-cell as shown, which simplifies to P-term ABD, for an end result of
Out = C' + ABD.
This (above) is a rare example of a four variable problem that can be
reduced with Boolean algebra without a lot of work, assuming that you
remember the theorems.
Minterm vs Maxterm Solution
So far we have been finding Sum-Of-Product (SOP) solutions to logic
reduction problems. For each of these SOP solutions, there is also a
Product-Of-Sums solution (POS), which could be more useful, depending on the
application. Before working a Product-Of-Sums solution, we need to introduce
some new terminology. The procedure below for mapping product terms is not
new to this chapter. We just want to establish a formal procedure for
minterms for comparison to the new procedure for maxterms.
A minterm is a Boolean expression resulting in 1 for the
output of a single cell, and 0s for all other cells in a Karnaugh
map, or truth table. If a minterm has a single 1 and the remaining
cells as 0s, it would appear to cover a minimum area of 1s.
The illustration above left shows the minterm ABC, a single product
term, as a single 1 in a map that is otherwise 0s. We have not
shown the 0s in our Karnaugh maps up to this point, as it is
customary to omit them unless specifically needed. Another minterm A'BC'
is shown above right. The point to review is that the address of the cell
corresponds directly to the minterm being mapped. That is, the cell 111
corresponds to the minterm ABC above left. Above right we see that
the minterm A'BC' corresponds directly to the cell 010. A
Boolean expression or map may have multiple minterms.
Referring to the above figure, Let's summarize the procedure for placing
a minterm in a K-map:
Identify the minterm (product term) term to be mapped.
Write the corresponding binary numeric value.
Use binary value as an address to place a 1 in the K-map
Repeat steps for other minterms (P-terms within a Sum-Of-Products).
A Boolean expression will more often than not consist of multiple
minterms corresponding to multiple cells in a Karnaugh map as shown above.
The multiple minterms in this map are the individual minterms which we
examined in the previous figure above. The point we review for reference is
that the 1s come out of the K-map as a binary cell address which
converts directly to one or more product terms. By directly we mean that a
0 corresponds to a complemented variable, and a 1 corresponds
to a true variable. Example: 010 converts directly to A'BC'.
There was no reduction in this example. Though, we do have a Sum-Of-Products
result from the minterms.
Referring to the above figure, Let's summarize the procedure for writing
the Sum-Of-Products reduced Boolean equation from a K-map:
Form largest groups of 1s possible covering all minterms.
Groups must be a power of 2.
Write binary numeric value for groups.
Convert binary value to a product term.
Repeat steps for other groups. Each group yields a p-terms within a
Nothing new so far, a formal procedure has been written down for dealing
with minterms. This serves as a pattern for dealing with maxterms.
Next we attack the Boolean function which is 0 for a single cell
and 1s for all others.
A maxterm is a Boolean expression resulting in a 0 for the
output of a single cell expression, and 1s for all other cells in the
Karnaugh map, or truth table. The illustration above left shows the maxterm
(A+B+C), a single sum term, as a single 0 in a map that is
otherwise 1s. If a maxterm has a single 0 and the remaining
cells as 1s, it would appear to cover a maximum area of 1s.
There are some differences now that we are dealing with something new,
maxterms. The maxterm is a 0, not a 1 in the Karnaugh map. A
maxterm is a sum term, (A+B+C) in our example, not a product term.
It also looks strange that (A+B+C) is mapped into the cell 000.
For the equation Out=(A+B+C)=0, all three variables (A, B, C)
must individually be equal to 0. Only (0+0+0)=0 will equal
0. Thus we place our sole 0 for minterm (A+B+C) in cell
A,B,C=000 in the K-map, where the inputs are all0 . This is the
only case which will give us a 0 for our maxterm. All other cells
contain 1s because any input values other than ((0,0,0) for
(A+B+C) yields 1s upon evaluation.
Referring to the above figure, the procedure for placing a maxterm in the
Identify the Sum term to be mapped.
Write corresponding binary numeric value.
Form the complement
Use the complement as an address to place a 0 in the K-map
Repeat for other maxterms (Sum terms within Product-of-Sums
Another maxterm A'+B'+C' is shown above. Numeric 000
corresponds to A'+B'+C'. The complement is 111. Place a 0
for maxterm (A'+B'+C') in this cell (1,1,1) of the K-map as
Why should (A'+B'+C') cause a 0 to be in cell 111?
When A'+B'+C' is (1'+1'+1'), all 1s in, which is
(0+0+0) after taking complements, we have the only condition that will
give us a 0. All the 1s are complemented to all 0s,
which is 0 when ORed.
A Boolean Product-Of-Sums expression or map may have multiple maxterms as
shown above. Maxterm (A+B+C) yields numeric 111 which
complements to 000, placing a 0 in cell (0,0,0).
Maxterm (A+B+C') yields numeric 110 which complements to
001, placing a 0 in cell (0,0,1).
Now that we have the k-map setup, what we are really interested in is
showing how to write a Product-Of-Sums reduction. Form the 0s into
groups. That would be a group of two below. Write the binary value
corresponding to the sum-term which is (0,0,X). Both A and B are 0
for the group. But, C is both 0 and 1 so we write an
X as a place holder for C. Form the complement (1,1,X).
Write the Sum-term (A+B) discarding the C and the X
which held its' place. In general, expect to have more sum-terms multiplied
together in the Product-Of-Sums result. Though, we have a simple example
Let's summarize the procedure for writing the Product-Of-Sums Boolean
reduction for a K-map:
Form largest groups of 0s possible, covering all maxterms.
Groups must be a power of 2.
Write binary numeric value for group.
Complement binary numeric value for group.
Convert complement value to a sum-term.
Repeat steps for other groups. Each group yields a sum-term within a
Simplify the Product-Of-Sums Boolean expression below, providing a result
in POS form.
Transfer the seven maxterms to the map below as 0s. Be sure to
complement the input variables in finding the proper cell location.
We map the 0s as they appear left to right top to bottom on the
map above. We locate the last three maxterms with leader lines..
Once the cells are in place above, form groups of cells as shown below.
Larger groups will give a sum-term with fewer inputs. Fewer groups will
yield fewer sum-terms in the result.
We have three groups, so we expect to have three sum-terms in our POS
result above. The group of 4-cells yields a 2-variable sum-term. The two
groups of 2-cells give us two 3-variable sum-terms. Details are shown for
how we arrived at the Sum-terms above. For a group, write the binary group
input address, then complement it, converting that to the Boolean sum-term.
The final result is product of the three sums.
Simplify the Product-Of-Sums Boolean expression below, providing a result
in SOP form.
This looks like a repeat of the last problem. It is except that we ask
for a Sum-Of-Products Solution instead of the Product-Of-Sums which we just
finished. Map the maxterm 0s from the Product-Of-Sums given as in the
previous problem, below left.
Then fill in the implied 1s in the remaining cells of the map
Form groups of 1s to cover all 1s. Then write the
Sum-Of-Products simplified result as in the previous subsection of this
chapter. This is identical to a previous problem.
Above we show both the Product-Of-Sums solution, from the previous
example, and the Sum-Of-Products solution from the current problem for
comparison. Which is the simpler solution? The POS uses 3-OR gates and 1-AND
gate, while the SOP uses 3-AND gates and 1-OR gate. Both use four gates
each. Taking a closer look, we count the number of gate inputs. The POS uses
8-inputs; the SOP uses 7-inputs. By the definition of minimal cost solution,
the SOP solution is simpler. This is an example of a technically correct
answer that is of little use in the real world.
The better solution depends on complexity and the logic family being
used. The SOP solution is usually better if using the TTL logic family, as
NAND gates are the basic building block, which works well with SOP
implementations. On the other hand, A POS solution would be acceptable when
using th CMOS logic family since all sizes of NOR gates are available.
The gate diagrams for both cases are shown above, Product-Of-Sums left,
and Sum-Of-Products right.
Below, we take a closer look at the Sum-Of-Products version of our
example logic, which is repeated at left.
Above all AND gates at left have been replaced by NAND gates at right..
The OR gate at the output is replaced by a NAND gate. To prove that AND-OR
logic is equivalent to NAND-NAND logic, move the inverter invert bubbles at
the output of the 3-NAND gates to the input of the final NAND as shown in
going from above right to below left.
Above right we see that the output NAND gate with inverted inputs is
logically equivalent to an OR gate by DeMorgan's theorem and double
negation. This information is useful in building digital logic in a
laboratory setting where TTL logic family NAND gates are more readily
available in a wide variety of configurations than other types.
The Procedure for constructing NAND-NAND logic, in place of AND-OR logic
is as follows:
Produce a reduced Sum-Of-Products logic design.
When drawing the wiring diagram of the SOP, replace all gates (both
AND and OR) with NAND gates.
Unused inputs should be tied to logic High.
In case of troubleshooting, internal nodes at the first level of NAND
gate outputs do NOT match AND-OR diagram logic levels, but are inverted.
Use the NAND-NAND logic diagram. Inputs and final output are identical,
Label any multiple packages U1, U2,.. etc.
Use data sheet to assign pin numbers to inputs and outputs of all
Let us revisit a previous problem involving an SOP minimization. Produce
a Product-Of-Sums solution. Compare the POS solution to the previous SOP.
Above left we have the original problem starting with a 9-minterm Boolean
unsimplified expression. Reviewing, we formed four groups of 4-cells to
yield a 4-product-term SOP result, lower left.
In the middle figure, above, we fill in the empty spaces with the implied
0s. The 0s form two groups of 4-cells. The solid red group is
(A'+B), the dashed red group is (C'+D). This yields two
sum-terms in the Product-Of-Sums result, above right Out = (A'+B)(C'+D)
Comparing the previous SOP simplification, left, to the POS
simplification, right, shows that the POS is the least cost solution. The
SOP uses 5-gates total, the POS uses only 3-gates. This POS solution even
looks attractive when using TTL logic due to simplicity of the result. We
can find AND gates and an OR gate with 2-inputs.
The SOP and POS gate diagrams are shown above for our comparison problem.
Given the pin-outs for the TTL logic family integrated circuit gates
below, label the maxterm diagram above right with Circuit designators (U1-a,
U1-b, U2-a, etc), and pin numbers.
Each integrated circuit package that we use will receive a circuit
designator: U1, U2, U3. To distinguish between the individual gates within
the package, they are identified as a, b, c, d, etc. The 7404 hex-inverter
package is U1. The individual inverters in it are are U1-a, U1-b, U1-c, etc.
U2 is assigned to the 7432 quad OR gate. U3 is assigned to the 7408 quad AND
gate. With reference to the pin numbers on the package diagram above, we
assign pin numbers to all gate inputs and outputs on the schematic diagram
We can now build this circuit in a laboratory setting. Or, we could
design a printed circuit board for it. A printed circuit board
contains copper foil "wiring" backed by a non conductive substrate of
phenolic, or epoxy-fiberglass. Printed circuit boards are used to mass
produce electronic circuits. Ground the inputs of unused gates.
Label the previous POS solution diagram above left (third figure back)
with Circuit designators and pin numbers. This will be similar to what we
We can find 2-input AND gates, 7408 in the previous example. However, we
have trouble finding a 4-input OR gate in our TTL catalog. The only kind of
gate with 4-inputs is the 7420 NAND gate shown above right.
We can make the 4-input NAND gate into a 4-input OR gate by inverting the
inputs to the NAND gate as shown below. So we will use the 7420 4-input NAND
gate as an OR gate by inverting the inputs.
We will not use discrete inverters to invert the inputs to the 7420
4-input NAND gate, but will drive it with 2-input NAND gates in place of the
AND gates called for in the SOP, minterm, solution. The inversion at the
output of the 2-input NAND gates supply the inversion for the 4-input OR
The result is shown above. It is the only practical way to actually build
it with TTL gates by using NAND-NAND logic replacing AND-OR logic.
Σ (sum) and Π (product) notation
For reference, this section introduces the terminology used in some texts
to describe the minterms and maxterms assigned to a Karnaugh map. Otherwise,
there is no new material here.
Σ (sigma) indicates sum and lower case "m" indicates minterms. Σm
indicates sum of minterms. The following example is revisited to illustrate
our point. Instead of a Boolean equation description of unsimplified logic,
we list the minterms.
f(A,B,C,D) = Σ m(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15)
f(A,B,C,D) = Σ(m1,m2,m3,m4,m5,m7,m8,m9,m11,m12,m13,m15)
The numbers indicate cell location, or address, within a Karnaugh map as
shown below right. This is certainly a compact means of describing a list of
minterms or cells in a K-map.
The Sum-Of-Products solution is not affected by the new terminology. The
minterms, 1s, in the map have been grouped as usual and a
Sum-OF-Products solution written.
Below, we show the terminology for describing a list of maxterms. Product
is indicated by the Greek Π (pi), and upper case "M" indicates maxterms. ΠM
indicates product of maxterms. The same example illustrates our point. The
Boolean equation description of unsimplified logic, is replaced by a list of
f(A,B,C,D) = Π M(2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14)
f(A,B,C,D) = Π(M2, M6, M8, M9,
M10, M11, M14)
Once again, the numbers indicate K-map cell address locations. For
maxterms this is the location of 0s, as shown below. A
Product-OF-Sums solution is completed in the usual manner.
Don't Care cells in the Karnaugh map
Up to this point we have considered logic reduction problems where the
input conditions were completely specified. That is, a 3-variable truth
table or Karnaugh map had 2n = 23 or 8-entries, a full
table or map. It is not always necessary to fill in the complete truth table
for some real-world problems. We may have a choice to not fill in the
For example, when dealing with BCD (Binary Coded Decimal) numbers encoded
as four bits, we may not care about any codes above the BCD range of (0, 1,
2...9). The 4-bit binary codes for the hexadecimal numbers (Ah, Bh, Ch, Eh,
Fh) are not valid BCD codes. Thus, we do not have to fill in those codes at
the end of a truth table, or K-map, if we do not care to. We would not
normally care to fill in those codes because those codes (1010, 1011, 1100,
1101, 1110, 1111) will never exist as long as we are dealing only with BCD
encoded numbers. These six invalid codes are don't cares as far as we
are concerned. That is, we do not care what output our logic circuit
produces for these don't cares.
Don't cares in a Karnaugh map, or truth table, may be either 1s or
0s, as long as we don't care what the output is for an input
condition we never expect to see. We plot these cells with an asterisk, *,
among the normal 1s and 0s. When forming groups of cells,
treat the don't care cell as either a 1 or a 0, or ignore the
don't cares. This is helpful if it allows us to form a larger group than
would otherwise be possible without the don't cares. There is no requirement
to group all or any of the don't cares. Only use them in a group if it
simplifies the logic.
Above is an example of a logic function where the desired output is 1
for input ABC = 101 over the range from 000 to 101. We do not
care what the output is for the other possible inputs (110, 111). Map
those two as don't cares. We show two solutions. The solution on the right
Out = AB'C is the more complex solution since we did not use the don't care
cells. The solution in the middle, Out=AC, is less complex because we
grouped a don't care cell with the single 1 to form a group of two.
The third solution, a Product-Of-Sums on the right, results from grouping a
don't care with three zeros forming a group of four 0s. This is the
same, less complex, Out=AC. We have illustrated that the don't care
cells may be used as either 1s or 0s, whichever is useful.
The electronics class of Lightning State College has been asked to build
the lamp logic for a stationary bicycle exhibit at the local science museum.
As a rider increases his pedaling speed, lamps will light on a bar graph
display. No lamps will light for no motion. As speed increases, the lower
lamp, L1 lights, then L1 and L2, then, L1, L2, and L3, until all lamps light
at the highest speed. Once all the lamps illuminate, no further increase in
speed will have any effect on the display.
A small DC generator coupled to the bicycle tire outputs a voltage
proportional to speed. It drives a tachometer board which limits the voltage
at the high end of speed where all lamps light. No further increase in speed
can increase the voltage beyond this level. This is crucial because the
downstream A to D (Analog to Digital) converter puts out a 3-bit code,
ABC, 23 or 8-codes, but we only have five lamps. A is
the most significant bit, C the least significant bit.
The lamp logic needs to respond to the six codes out of the A to D. For
ABC=000, no motion, no lamps light. For the five codes (001 to
101) lamps L1, L1&L2, L1&L2&L3, up to all lamps will light, as speed,
voltage, and the A to D code (ABC) increases. We do not care about the
response to input codes (110, 111) because these codes will never
come out of the A to D due to the limiting in the tachometer block. We need
to design five logic circuits to drive the five lamps.
Since, none of the lamps light for ABC=000 out of the A to D,
enter a 0 in all K-maps for cell ABC=000. Since we don't care
about the never to be encountered codes (110, 111), enter asterisks
into those two cells in all five K-maps.
Lamp L5 will only light for code ABC=101. Enter a 1 in that
cell and five 0s into the remaining empty cells of L5 K-map.
L4 will light initially for code ABC=100, and will remain
illuminated for any code greater, ABC=101, because all lamps below L5
will light when L5 lights. Enter 1s into cells 100 and 101
of the L4 map so that it will light for those codes. Four 0's fill
the remaining L4 cells
L3 will initially light for code ABC=011. It will also light
whenever L5 and L4 illuminate. Enter three 1s into cells 011, 100,
101 for L3 map. Fill three 0s into the remaining L3 cells.
L2 lights for ABC=010 and codes greater. Fill 1s into cells
010, 011, 100, 101, and two 0s in the remaining cells.
The only time L1 is not lighted is for no motion. There is already a 0
in cell ABC=000. All the other five cells receive 1s.
Group the 1's as shown above, using don't cares whenever a larger
group results. The L1 map shows three product terms, corresponding to three
groups of 4-cells. We used both don't cares in two of the groups and one
don't care on the third group. The don't cares allowed us to form groups of
In a similar manner, the L2 and L4 maps both produce groups of 4-cells
with the aid of the don't care cells. The L4 reduction is striking in that
the L4 lamp is controlled by the most significant bit from the A to D
converter, L5=A. No logic gates are required for lamp L4. In the L3
and L5 maps, single cells form groups of two with don't care cells. In all
five maps, the reduced Boolean equation is less complex than without the
The gate diagram for the circuit is above. The outputs of the five K-map
equations drive inverters. Note that the L1 OR gate is not a 3-input
gate but a 2-input gate having inputs (A+B), C, outputting A+B+C
The open collector inverters, 7406, are desirable for driving
LEDs, though, not part of the K-map logic design. The output of an open
collecter gate or inverter is open circuited at the collector internal to
the integrated circuit package so that all collector current may flow
through an external load. An active high into any of the inverters pulls the
output low, drawing current through the LED and the current limiting
resistor. The LEDs would likely be part of a solid state relay driving
120VAC lamps for a museum exhibit, not shown here.
Larger 5 & 6-variable Karnaugh maps
Larger Karnaugh maps reduce larger logic designs. How large is large
enough? That depends on the number of inputs, fan-ins, to the logic
circuit under consideration. One of the large programmable logic companies
has an answer.
Altera's own data, extracted from its library of customer designs,
supports the value of heterogeneity. By examining logic cones, mapping
them onto LUT-based nodes and sorting them by the number of inputs that
would be best at each node, Altera found that the distribution of fan-ins
was nearly flat between two and six inputs, with a nice peak at five.
The answer is no more than six inputs for most all designs, and five
inputs for the average logic design. The five variable Karnaugh map follows.
The older version of the five variable K-map, a Gray Code map or
reflection map, is shown above. The top (and side for a 6-variable map) of
the map is numbered in full Gray code. The Gray code reflects about the
middle of the code. This style map is found in older texts. The newer
preferred style is below.
The overlay version of the Karnaugh map, shown above, is simply two (four
for a 6-variable map) identical maps except for the most significant bit of
the 3-bit address across the top. If we look at the top of the map, we will
see that the numbering is different from the previous Gray code map. If we
ignore the most significant digit of the 3-digit numbers, the sequence
00, 01, 11, 10 is at the heading of both sub maps of the overlay map.
The sequence of eight 3-digit numbers is not Gray code. Though the sequence
of four of the least significant two bits is.
Let's put our 5-variable Karnaugh Map to use. Design a circuit which has
a 5-bit binary input (A, B, C, D, E), with A being the MSB (Most Significant
Bit). It must produce an output logic High for any prime number detected in
the input data.
We show the solution above on the older Gray code (reflection) map for
reference. The prime numbers are (1,2,3,5,7,11,13,17,19,23,29,31). Plot a
1 in each corresponding cell. Then, proceed with grouping of the cells.
Finish by writing the simplified result. Note that 4-cell group A'B'E
consists of two pairs of cell on both sides of the mirror line. The same is
true of the 2-cell group AB'DE. It is a group of 2-cells by being reflected
about the mirror line. When using this version of the K-map look for mirror
images in the other half of the map.
Out = A'B'E + B'C'E + A'C'DE + A'CD'E + ABCE + AB'DE + A'B'C'D
Below we show the more common version of the 5-variable map, the overlay
If we compare the patterns in the two maps, some of the cells in the
right half of the map are moved around since the addressing across the top
of the map is different. We also need to take a different approach at
spotting commonality between the two halves of the map. Overlay one half of
the map atop the other half. Any overlap from the top map to the lower map
is a potential group. The figure below shows that group AB'DE is composed of
two stacked cells. Group A'B'E consists of two stacked pairs of cells.
For the A'B'E group of 4-cells ABCDE = 00xx1 for the group.
That is A,B,E are the same 001 respectively for the group. And,
CD=xx that is it varies, no commonality in CD=xx for the group of
4-cells. Since ABCDE = 00xx1, the group of 4-cells is covered by
A'B'XXE = A'B'E.
The above 5-variable overlay map is shown stacked.
An example of a six variable Karnaugh map follows. We have mentally
stacked the four sub maps too see the group of 4-cells
A magnitude comparator (used to illustrate a 6-variable K-map) compares
two binary numbers, indicating if they are equal, greater than, or less than
each other on three respective outputs. A three bit magnitude comparator has
two inputs A2A1A0 and B2B1B0
An integrated circuit magnitude comparator (7485) would actually have four
inputs, But, the Karnaugh map below needs to be kept to a reasonable size.
We will only solve for the A>B output.
Below, a 6-variable Karnaugh map aids simplification of the logic for a
3-bit magnitude comparator. This is an overlay type of map. The binary
address code across the top and down the left side of the map is not a full
3-bit Gray code. Though the 2-bit address codes of the four sub maps is Gray
code. Find redundant expressions by stacking the four sub maps atop one
another (shown above). There could be cells common to all four maps, though
not in the example below. It does have cells common to pairs of sub maps.
The A>B output above is ABC>XYZ on the map below.
Where ever ABC is greater than XYZ, a 1 is plotted.
In the first line ABC=000 cannot be greater than any of the values of
XYZ. No 1s in this line. In the second line, ABC=001,
only the first cell ABCXYZ= 001000 is ABC greater than XYZ.
A single 1 is entered in the first cell of the second line. The
fourth line, ABC=010, has a pair of 1s. The third line,
ABC=011 has three 1s. Thus, the map is filled with 1s in
any cells where ABC is greater than XXZ.
In grouping cells, form groups with adjacent sub maps if possible. All
but one group of 16-cells involves cells from pairs of the sub maps. Look
for the following groups:
1 group of 16-cells
2 groups of 8-cells
4 groups of 4-cells
The group of 16-cells, AX' occupies all of the lower right sub
map; though, we don't circle it on the figure above.
One group of 8-cells is composed of a group of 4-cells in the upper sub
map overlaying a similar group in the lower left map. The second group of
8-cells is composed of a similar group of 4-cells in the right sub map
overlaying the same group of 4-cells in the lower left map.
The four groups of 4-cells are shown on the Karnaugh map above with the
associated product terms. Along with the product terms for the two groups of
8-cells and the group of 16-cells, the final Sum-Of-Products reduction is
shown, all seven terms. Counting the 1s in the map, there is a total
of 16+6+6=28 ones. Before the K-map logic reduction there would have been 28
product terms in our SOP output, each with 6-inputs. The Karnaugh map
yielded seven product terms of four or less inputs. This is really what
Karnaugh maps are all about!
The wiring diagram is not shown. However, here is the parts list for the
3-bit magnitude comparator for ABC>XYZ using 4 TTL logic family parts:
1 ea 7410 triple 3-input NAND gate AX', ABY', BX'Y'
2 ea 7420 dual 4-input NAND gate ABCZ', ACY'Z', BCX'Z', CX'Y'Z'
1 ea 7430 8-input NAND gate for output of 7-P-terms
Boolean algebra, Karnaugh maps, and CAD (Computer Aided Design) are
methods of logic simplification. The goal of logic simplification is a
minimal cost solution.
A minimal cost solution is a valid logic reduction with the minimum
number of gates with the minimum number of inputs.
Venn diagrams allow us to visualize Boolean expressions, easing the
transition to Karnaugh maps.
Karnaugh map cells are organized in Gray code order so that we may
visualize redundancy in Boolean expressions which results in
The more common Sum-Of-Products (Sum of Minters) expressions are
implemented as AND gates (products) feeding a single OR gate (sum).
Sum-Of-Products expressions (AND-OR logic) are equivalent to a
NAND-NAND implementation. All AND gates and OR gates are replaced by NAND
Less often used, Product-Of-Sums expressions are implemented as OR
gates (sums) feeding into a single AND gate (product). Product-Of-Sums
expressions are based on the 0s, maxterms, in a Karnaugh map.