3-state

In digital electronics three-state, tri-state, or 3-state logic allows output ports to have a value of logical 0, 1, or Hi-Z. A Hi-Z output puts the pin in a high impedance state, effectively removing the pin from its influence on the circuit. The intent of this state is often to allow multiple circuits to share the same output line or bus, or allow a device to monitor signals without affecting the signal (as used in analog-to-digital converters). Tri-state is a registered trademark of National Semiconductor but is often used to describe devices made by any manufacturer.

Three-state outputs are implemented in various families of digital integrated circuits such as the 7400 series of TTL gates, and often in the data and address bus lines of microprocessors. Three-state outputs may be found on individual logic gates, or in multiples in one integrated circuit package as a buffer for connection to a bus.

On some bus drivers or port expander ICs, setting an input pin called OE (output enable) high puts all the outputs in a Hi-Z state; setting that pin low makes all the outputs active, driving the bus to either 1 or 0.

This form of gate should not be confused with ternary logic (3-value logic).

A tristate buffer can be thought of as a switch. If B is on, the switch is closed. If B is off, the switch is open.

[edit] Uses of three-state logic

The whole concept of the third state (Hi-Z) is to effectively remove the device's influence from the rest of the circuit. If more than one device is electrically connected, putting an output into the Hi-Z state is often used to prevent short circuits, or one device driving high (logical 1) against another device driving low (logical 0).

Three-state buffers can also be used to implement efficient multiplexers, especially those with large numbers of inputs.^{[citation needed]}

Three-state logic can reduce the number of wires needed to drive a set of LEDs (tristate multiplexing or Charlieplexing).

[edit] Use of pull-ups/pull-downs

When outputs are tri-stated (in the Hi-Z state) their influence on the rest of the circuit is removed, and the circuit node will be "floating" if no other circuit element determines its state. Circuit designers will often use pull-up or pull-down resistors (usually with in the range of 1 – 100k ohms) to influence the circuit when the output is tri-stated. For example, the I2C bus protocol (a bi-directional communication bus protocol often used between devices) specifies the use of pull-up resistors on the two communication lines. When devices are inactive, they "release" the communication lines and tri-state their outputs, thus removing their influence on the circuit. When all the devices on the bus have "released" the communication lines, the only influence on the circuit is the pull-up resistors, which pull the lines high. When a device wants to communicate, it comes out of the Hi-Z state and drives the line low. Devices communicating using this protocol either let the line float high, or drive it low – thus preventing any short circuit situation where one device drives a line high and another low.

[edit] Alternatives to 3-state bus

A 3-state bus is typically used between chips on a single printed circuit board (PCB), or sometimes between PCBs plugged into a common backplane.

An open-collector bus is often used between PCBs plugged into a common backplane, or connected over longer cables.

Usage of three-state logic is not recommended for on-chip connections but rather for inter-chip connections. Basic multiplexers can be used on chip because they are implemented in silicon, unlike the large equivalent off-chip components.^[1]

[edit] See also

• Logic level
• Buffer
• Ternary logic

[edit] Sources

1. ^ "On-Chip Buses/Networks for SoC" "On-Chip Buses [have] No use of tri-state signals [because] Tri-state bus is difficult for static timing analysis"

[edit] External links

• What's a Tri-state Buffer?

• Principle of Tristate Multiplexing