6 Digital Electronic Signals and Switches

Logic signal switches are electronic devices which activate or deactivate a signal once an event has
occurred. They are sometimes called digital signal switches, and are for the switching of digital logic
signals which typically consist of high speed on/off signals. The chip is designed to pass or isolate digital
signal levels but may also pass analog signals. They are a high-performance, low-power replacement for
standard bus-interface devices when signal buffering is not required.

How Logic Signal Switches Work

Signals are electrical or electromagnetic means of conveying and transferring information. Logic signal
switches are binary transducers, meaning they take these electrical or electromagnetic signals and
convert them to binary logic (digital) signals in the form of 1s and 0s. The switching action in the device
determines whether this generated signal is isolated or passed through.

Unlike normal electrical switches which physically connect or disconnect a circuit to switch between on
and off, logic signal switches do not handle power. Instead, they handle logic signal levels. A binary input
of 0 (false) sets the switch to "off" (open) where it operates with high resistance to create almost perfect
signal isolation. A binary input of 1 (true) sets the switch to "on" (closed) where the resistance is much
lower, allowing the signal to pass through. A reasonable amount of resistance, up to a few hundred ohms
or so, can be tolerated in the "on" state when the signal is passed. The switch should be able to control
signals at any reasonable voltage level and not be tied to ground or the positive supply.

Digital vs. Analog

Logic signal switches are considered digital switches, meaning they process digital (binary) signals.
However, some digital signal switches are able to pass analog signals as well. Thus, it is important to
understand and distinguish the terminology surrounding switch function.
Digital (logic) signal switches pass or isolate digital signals. Some logic signal switches are also able to
pass analog signals.
Analog signal switches pass or isolate analog signals. Many analog signal switches can also handle
digital signals.
Bilateral switches can have one of two functions:
They pass signals in either direction through the switch
They can pass and isolate both analog and digital signals
Bus switches are digital switches designed for multi-bit switching in computer applications
Specifications
There are a number of specifications to consider when selecting logic signal switches. The most
important are the number of switches, power rating, and operating temperature. Others include the
maximum current rating and supply voltage.

Number of switches -- the number of logic switches built into the device. This determines the number of
inputs and outputs available for switching functions.
Power rating -- the power required to operate the chip; also referred to as the power dissipation. It is
typically expressed in watts or milliwatts. This rating is important for proper incorporation with the
provisions of the rest of the system or circuit board.
Operating temperature -- the ambient temperatures at which the switch is designed to operate. This is
important to consider when operating in extreme temperature environments.
Maximum current rating -- the maximum current that can be supplied for proper chip operation,
expressed in amps (A) or milliamps (mA).
Supply voltage -- the source voltage range for the device, expressed in volts (V).
Package Type
The package type affects a number of the logic signal switch's properties, including how the device is
mounted on a circuit board. There a number of package types to consider.
 Dual in-line packages (DIPs) can be installed either in sockets or permanently soldered into holes
extending into the surface of the printed circuit board. The pins are distributed into two parallel lines along
opposite site of the rectangular package. There are several types of DIP packages, such as Ceramic
Dual in-line package (CDIP), Plastic Dual in-line package (PDIP), and Shrink Plastic Dual in-line package
(SPDIP).
Ceramic dual in-line package (CDIP) consists of two pieces of dry pressed ceramic surrounding a "DIP
formed" lead frame. The ceramic / LF / ceramic system is held together hermetically by frit glass reflowed
at temperatures between 400° - 460° centigrade.
Plastic dual in-line package (PDIP) is widely used for low cost, hand-insertion applications including
consumer products, automotive devices, logic, memory ICs, micro-controllers, logic and power ICs, video
controllers commercial electronics, and telecommunications.
Small outline transistor 23 (SOT23) is a rectangular, surface mounted, small outline transistor (SOT)
package with three or more gull wing leads. SOT23 features a very small footprint and is optimized for
the highest possible current. Because of its low cost and low profile, SOT23 is used in home appliances,
office and industrial equipment, personal computers, printers, and communication equipment.

Other typical package types for signal switches include:

Small outline integrated controller (SOIC).
Small outline package (SOP).
Thin shrink small outline L-leaded packages (TSSOP).
Quarter size outline package (QSOP).
For protection against the environment (water, dirt, dust, temperature, stress), users need to consider the
strength, durability, and sealing properties of the packaging materials.
Materials
The materials used to form the semiconductor and housing play a large role in determining the properties
of the device. The table below lists the properties of a number of different materials used in both
packaging and connections.

6 Diode and Transistor as a Switch

Both diodes and transistors are types of semiconductor devices that find a wide range of
applications in different electronic circuits such as clippers, clampers, oscillators, rectifiers and
amplifiers, etc. Go through this article to get an overview of how diodes and transistors function
and how they are different from each other.
What is a Diode?
A diode is a semiconductor switching device which is constructed by combining two layers of N-
type and P-type semiconductor materials. For this reason, a diode is also called as PN junction
diode. The circuit symbol of the diode is shown in Figure-1.

A diode has only one PN-junction and two terminals viz. anode (positive terminal of the
diode) and cathode (negative terminal). There are two modes of operation of diode,
i.e. forward bias and reverse bias.
Forward biasing of diode means the anode is connected to positive terminal of battery and
cathode to the negative terminal battery and in the forward biased mode, the diode acts as
a closed switch.
While in the reverse biased mode, the anode is connected to the negative terminal and cathode
is connected to the positive terminal of source. In the reverse bias mode, the diode works
an open switch.
Therefore, a diode is a unidirectional semiconductor switch which allows current only in forward
direction and blocks in the current in the reverse direction. Thus, it is widely used in rectification,
i.e., for the conversion of AC into DC.

What is a Transistor?

A transistor is also a semiconductor switching device consists of three layers of P-type and N-
type semiconductor materials. The transistor has two PN junctions and three terminals named
emitter, base and collector. The symbolic representation of the transistor is shown in the figure-2.
A transistor is formed by sandwiching either a P-type semiconductor between two N-type
semiconductors or an N-type semiconductor between two P-type semiconductors. Thus, based
on the construction, the transistors are of following two types −
NPN Transistor
PNP Transistor

A transistor is widely used in the different electronic circuits as amplifier and digital switch etc.

Difference between Diode and Transistor

The following table compares and contrasts the various features of diodes and transistors −