What is TTL and why is it important to my Retro Computers
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2021 11:20 am
TTL, or Transistor Transistor Logic (REF:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transisto ... stor_logic is the core technology used in the chips used within many of our favourite retro computers
In basic terms, TTL translates voltage levels into binary, 5V being 1 and 0V being 0.
It isn't quite as simple as that though, as the 5V & 0V scenario is what would be the case in a perfect world!
In reality the binary 0 is anywhere between 0V and 0.8V for an input signal and 0V to 0.5V for an output signal.
Binary 1 is anywhere between 2V to 5V for an input signal, and 2.7V to 5V for an output signal.
And of course the ICs need a power connection, or VCC of 4.75V to 5.25V
Why do we need to know this?
When investigating problems with these systems, it is often the case we will require a way to determine if these signals are correct.
For example, we want to check the output of an inverter, one of the simplest logic gates, which will output a TTL value of 1 when a signal of 0 is input, and vice versa.
We can use a TTL logic probe, however in a running machine, the input/output signals may be switching very quickly so the logic probe might not be able to give an accurate yes/no answer, though it will at least show the state is changing.
However, if we connect channel one of an oscilloscope to the inverter input, and channel two to the output, we can capture these changes of state and measure the voltages at the same time.
This allows us to see if the input/output voltages fall within the above specifications and if there is any delay in the output once an input is received. We can check this against the specs for a chip in the datasheet.
Similarly, we can use a Logic Analyser to collect similar data, though my preference is the oscilloscope.
REFERENCES:https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbo ... 20exactly.
In basic terms, TTL translates voltage levels into binary, 5V being 1 and 0V being 0.
It isn't quite as simple as that though, as the 5V & 0V scenario is what would be the case in a perfect world!
In reality the binary 0 is anywhere between 0V and 0.8V for an input signal and 0V to 0.5V for an output signal.
Binary 1 is anywhere between 2V to 5V for an input signal, and 2.7V to 5V for an output signal.
And of course the ICs need a power connection, or VCC of 4.75V to 5.25V
Why do we need to know this?
When investigating problems with these systems, it is often the case we will require a way to determine if these signals are correct.
For example, we want to check the output of an inverter, one of the simplest logic gates, which will output a TTL value of 1 when a signal of 0 is input, and vice versa.
We can use a TTL logic probe, however in a running machine, the input/output signals may be switching very quickly so the logic probe might not be able to give an accurate yes/no answer, though it will at least show the state is changing.
However, if we connect channel one of an oscilloscope to the inverter input, and channel two to the output, we can capture these changes of state and measure the voltages at the same time.
This allows us to see if the input/output voltages fall within the above specifications and if there is any delay in the output once an input is received. We can check this against the specs for a chip in the datasheet.
Similarly, we can use a Logic Analyser to collect similar data, though my preference is the oscilloscope.
REFERENCES:https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbo ... 20exactly.