Chapter 8 - Arithmetic Devices and Arithmetic Logic Units (ALUs)

Abstract

In this chapter, digital circuits are designed with electrical capabilities that can be interpreted as performing the basic arithmetic operations of binary numbers. The basic operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It also defines the electrical analog of the arithmetic operation. It is the interpretation of the electrical circuit's behavior that bridges the gap between physical and logic domains. The treatment of arithmetic circuits presented in this chapter is not intended to be a treatise on the subject. Rather, the intent is to introduce the subjects at both the beginning and intermediate-to-advanced levels utilizing, where necessary, appropriate algorithms for the basic operations in question. The subjects of arithmetic logic units (ALUs) and the application of dual-rail methods fall within the intermediate-to-advanced level of coverage and may not be expected to be a part of the first-level course in digital design.