XNOR Gate

Symbol

The XNOR (exclusive NOR) function is simply an XOR followed by a NOT function, and therefore it is the complement of XOR with reversed output Q. This implementation is using a NOR gate (circuit 1), which we can replace with an AND gate with inverted inputs (circuit 2). However, students should be familiar with both implementations, because either can come up in the exam to fool you.

XNOR Using NOR Gate

This formula uses a NOR gate.

De Morgan's Theorem

We can use De Morgan's theorem to remove the NOR gate and replace it with an AND gate and two NOT gates.

Alternative form of XNOR

This is an alternative form of a XNOR gate.

A typical question often starts with a formula that you can apply De Morgan’s theorem to convert the circuit into an alternative form of XNOR implementation.


XOR Truth Table

ABA.BA+BNOT(A+B)Q
000011
010100
100100
111101

With the NOR gate circuit 1, the intermediate terms and final Q outputs are as shown in the truth table above.

This Article Continues...

Boolean Algebra
De Morgan's Theorem
XOR Gate
EXOR Gate
XNOR Gate
Example 1 Questions and Answers
Example 2 Questions and Answers