Club Amiga de Montreal - CAM/CAM_CD_1.iso/files/287.lha/LogicLab/LogicLab.doc

Text File | 1989-09-13 | 20.4 KB | 535 lines

                                 LogicLab


Copyright Notice

This software package and document are copyrighted (c) 1988, 1989
by Stephen B. Duff and VS Graphics.  All rights reserved.  This document
must accompany all copies of LogicLab.


Disclaimer

VS Graphics makes no warranties as to the contents of this software product
and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or
fitness for any particular purpose.  VS Graphics further reserves the right
to make changes to the specifiations of the program and contents of the
manual without obligation to notify any person or organization of such
changes.


Shareware Notice

This program was originally a commercial software package that sold for
$39.95 via mail order.  However, with advertising costs being what they
are, I had to make a choice between marketing this program and feeding
my children.  Therefore, I decided to rlease this product as shareware
to acheive the widest possible distribution with minimum costs.

You may copy and distribute this product freely, provided that no fee
is charged for such copying and distribution, and it is distributed only
in its' original unmodified state along with this document.

If you find the product useful, please feel free to send your donation
to me at the address listed at the end of this document.  You may not
use this product in a Government, Commercial or Educational organization
without paying a licence fee of $39.95.

For those interested in programming in C on the Amiga, I will make the
source code for the program available for $59.95.  The source code is
available for both the Lattice and Manx C compilers.  If you are new to
C programming or the Amiga, the source code can be a great time saver.


INSTRUCTIONS


1.0  Getting Started

First, rename the file LogicLab.inf to LogicLab.info to show the icon for
LogicLab.  Second, LogicLab allows you to specify the disk drives that will
be used in the Load/Save Project file requester.  Drive DF0: will be
available by default.  Two additional drives can be made available by
creating a file with the appropriate drive name (e.g. create a dummy text
file named DH0 for a hard drive).  These are the only options that needs to
be specified before running the program.


2.0  Running the Program

Point to the LogicLab icon and double click the left mouse button to start
the program.  The screen contains two main areas.  The logic symbol gadgets
appear across the top of the screen.  The area below the logic symbols
is the work area of the screen.

To begin a project, point to a logic element, press the left mouse button
and drag the element to a location in the work area.  Release the left
mouse button when the element is in the desired location.  The work area
will hold up to 7 rows of 11 elements.  Once the logic elements are in the
desired locations, they must be connected.  After connecting the elements
you may view the solution of the logic in real time by going to the RUN
mode.  Connecting elements and executing the logic is described below.


3.0  Menu Selections

The three main menus will be displayed at the top of the screen after
pressing the right mouse button.  To make a selection, press and hold
the right mouse button down.  Move the pointer to one of the main menus.
Then move the pointer to one of the menu items.  Release the mouse button
while pointing to the desired item.


3.1  Project Menu

The project menu contains 6 menu items.  They are New, Open, Save, Save As,
Print and Quit.


3.1.1  New

Selecting New from the Project menu erases all elements that have been
added to the work area and initializes LogicLab for a new project.
A warning will be displayed if the current project has not been saved.
You will have the option of saving the curent project before the current
project is erased.  If the project save requester appears, point to the
appropriate selection and press the left mouse button.


3.1.2  Open

The Open menu selection is used to load a project into memory from the
disk drive.  The Load Project requester will appear with a list of the
files contained in the current directory.  The proportional gadget at
the right side of the requester can be use to show additional files in
the list if they are present.  You may select a disk drive by pointing to
the desired drive gadget near the bottom of the requester.  If additional
sub-directories are present, they can be selected by pointing to them and
presing the left mouse button.  When you have located the project that you
want to load, point to it and press the left mouse button.  Finally, if
you want to load the project, point to the Load gadget located at the
bottom left side of the requester and prss the left mouse button.  You may
also cancel the load operation by pointing to the Cancel gadget located at
the bottom right side of the requester.  Then, press the left mouse button
to cancel.


3.1.3  Save

Save is used to store a previously named project to disk.  Save
automatically stores the project without opening the Save Project
requester.  You must use the Save As menu item to give the project a name.


3.1.4  Save As

The Save As menu selection is used to give the current project a name and
to save the project to disk.  Once Save As has been selected, the Save
Project requester will be displayed.  You have the option of changing the
disk drive and the various disk dirctories that are available on your disk
by selecting the appropriate gadget.  After selecting the desired drive
and directory, point to the Project Name string gadget and press the left
mouse button.  Type a valid AmigaDOS filename for the project and prss the
Enter key.  The project will be saved to the name you specified if you
point to the Save gadget in the lower left corner of the requester and
press the left mouse button.  You may cancel the save by pointing to the
Cancel gadget in the lower right corner and by pressing the left mouse
button.


3.1.5  Print

The Print menu item is used to print a project.  Make sure you have run
the Preferences program supplied with your Amiga and that you have
configured the correct printer.  Before selecting the Print option, make
sure that your printer is on line and that there is sufficient paper.
The project will be printed automatically after making this selection.


3.1.6  Quit

The Quit menu item is used to end the program.  The LogicLab screen will
move down and disappear at the bottom of the screen.  You will see the
screen that was present before starting the program.


3.2  Edit Menu

The Edit menu contains only one menu item named Cut.  There are two sub-
items under the Cut selection.  Press the right mouse button and move to
the Edit menu selection.  You will see the Cut menu item.  Move the pointer
to the Cut menu item and the two sub-items will appear to the right.  Move
the pointer to the desired sub-item and release the right mouse button.


3.2.1  Element

The Element sub-item is used to remove a logic element from the work area
along with all the connections to the selected item.  Move the pointer to
the element to be removed and press the left mouse button.  The element
will be erased along with all input and output connections comming into
or leaving the selected element.


3.2.2  Connection

Connections between logic elements may be removed using this sub-item.
Select the Connection sub-item. You will be prompted at the top of the
screen to select the first element.  Move the pointer to the first element
and press the left mouse button.  If the first element has more than one
output, you will be prompted to select the top output (OUTPUT A) or the
bottom output (OUTPUT B).  Answer the prompt in the requester.  Once the
output has been selected, you will be prompted for the second element.
Move the pointer to the second element and press the left mouse button.
If there are two inputs to the second element, you will be prompted to
select either the top input (INPUT A) or the bottom input (INPUT B).
Make the appropriate selection and the program automatically deletes the
line connecting the two elements.


3.3  Control Menu

The Control menu contains selections for directing the various operations
that may be performed in LogicLab.  The menu items are available to Add
elements, Connect elements, Run the logic in real time and to Stop running
the logic.


3.3.1  Add

The Add mode is the default mode when LogicLab is started.  While in Add
mode, new logic elements may be placed in the work area.  Elements are
added to the work area by pointing to the element, pressing and holding the
left mouse button down, and by dragging the element to a position within
the work area.  You must re-enter the Add mode to continue adding elements
after placing the program in other modes.


3.3.2  Connect

The Connect mode is used to make the connections between logic elements
that have been placed in the work area while in the Add mode.  After
selecting the Connect mode, you will be prompted to point to the first
element.  Move the pointer to the first element and press the left mouse
button.  If the element has more than one output, a requester will appear
with prompts for you to identify the desired output.  Make your selection
by pointing to the OUTPUT A or OUTPUT B gadgets.  You will then be prompted
to select the second element.  Again, if the second element has more than
one input a requester will appear with prompts to select the desired input.


3.3.3  Run

The Run menu item places the program in the Run mode and solves the logic
that has been placed in the work area.  While in the Run mode, you may
change the state of logic Input elements by pointing to them and pressing
the left mouse button.  If the Input element was previously in the logic 0
(OFF) state it will be placed in the logic 1 (ON) state and vice versa.
If the Input element is in the Logic 1 (ON) state, a light bulb will appear
within the Input element.  The Input element is in the OFF state if no
light bulb is present within the element.  Logic is solved within the work
area column by column from left to right.

The Output logic elements are used to display the results of the logic in
the work area.  If a light bulb appears within an Output element, it is
in the logic 1 (ON) state.  The Output element is in the logic 0 (OFF)
state if no light bulb is present within the element.


3.3.4  Stop

This item ends real time execution of logic.


4.0  Logic Element Description

LogicLab contains eight different logic element types.  Each is described
below.  Truth tables are provided for each element type.  While in the Run
mode additional detail about the state of the elements' inputs and outputs
may be obtained by pointing to the element and pressing the left mouse
button. A window will open showing a strip chart graph of the state of the
elements' inputs and outputs with respect to time.


4.1  Input Element

The Input element is included so you can change the state of the inputs of
other logic elements and see the result of the change.  The Input element
has a single output that is in one of two possible states.  It can be a
logic 1 (ON) or a logic 0 (OFF).  You may change the state of the Input
element in the Run mode by pointing to the element and pressing the left
mouse button.

Input Element

Input      Output
 ---         ON
 ---         OFF


4.2  Output Element

The Output element is included so you can see the result of the solution
of any logic elements in the work area.  The state of logic elements can
only be changed by the other logic elements connected to it.  It can be
in one of two possible states, logic 0 (OFF) or logic 1 (ON).  The Output
element has a single input.

Output Element

Input      Output
 ON          ---
 OFF         ---


4.3  And Element

The And element contains two inputs and one output.  If both inputs are
ON, the output of the And elenemt will be ON.  If only one input is ON,
the output will be OFF.

And Element

Input A  Input B  Output
 OFF       OFF      OFF
 ON        OFF      OFF
 OFF       ON       OFF
 ON        ON       ON


4.4  Or Element

The Or element contains two inputs and one output.  If either input is ON,
the output of the Or element will be ON.

Or Element

Input A  Input B  Output
 OFF       OFF      OFF
 ON        OFF      ON
 OFF       ON       ON
 ON        ON       ON


4.5  Xor Element

The Xor (exclusive-or) element is a relative of the Or element.  The Xor
element can be used to produce a binary sum with no carry.

Xor Element

Input A  Input B  Output
 OFF       OFF      OFF
 ON        OFF      ON
 OFF       ON       ON
 ON        ON       OFF


4.6  Not Element

The not element has one input and one output.  If the input to the element
is ON, the output will be OFF.  If the input is OFF, the output will be ON.

Not Element

Input    Output
 ON        OFF
 OFF       ON


4.7  Flip-Flop Element

The Flip-Flop element has two inputs and two outputs.  The Flip-Flop
element in LogicLab is known as a Set/Reset (SR) type flip-flop element.
Input A (top) is the Set input.  If the Set input is ON, the top output
(OUT A) will be ON.  The bottom output (OUT B) will always be in the
opposite state of the top output.  OUT A will remain ON regardless of
the state of the Set input until the flip-flop is reset.  The Flip-Flop
element can be reset by applying a logic 1 (ON) to the bottom input
(Reset).

Flip-Flop Element

Input A   Input B    Output A   Output B
 ON         OFF        ON         OFF
 don't care OFF        ON         OFF (Set)
 OFF        ON         OFF        ON
 OFF        don't care OFF        ON  Reset)


4.8  Timer Element

The Timer element is used to provide what is known as an on-delay or
off-delay timer function.  When the input to the Timer element is turned
ON, the timer accumulates time until it reaches a predetermined time
(preset).  The time interval in the LogicLab timer is one second.  The
element window must be opened to set the preset time value for the timer
element.  Point to the Timer element while in the Run mode and press the
left mouse button to open the element window.  Point to the area to the
right of the Preset text and press the left mouse button.  Type the preset
time value and press return.

Timer Element

Input A  Output A  Output B
 OFF       OFF      ON
 ON        OFF      ON  (before preset)
 ON        ON       OFF (after preset)


4.9  Counter Element

The Counter element is used to cause a delay based on a preset count.
When the Counter element is turned ON, the counter accumulates one count
each time the logic on the work area is executed.

Counter Element

Input A  Output A  Output B
 OFF       OFF      ON
 ON        OFF      ON  (before preset)
 ON        ON       OFF (after preset)


5.0  Element Windows

When you are in the RUN mode, more detailed information about a particular
logic element may be obtained by pointing to the element and pressing the
left mouse button.  After pressing the mouse button, the element window
will be opened.  Element windows may be opened for all elements except the
Input and Output elements.  Only one element window may be opened at any
one time.

The information shown in the element window is dependent upon the logic
element selected.  Each window shows the state of the elements' input(s)
and output(s) with respect to time in the form of a strip chart.  The
update speed of the strip chart can be changed using the proportional
gadget on the far right side of the element window.

The Timer and Counter element windows show the Preset and Accumulator
values at the top of the element window.  You may change the Preset value
of either element by pointing to the right of the Preset text and by
pressing the left mouse button.  The string gadget will be highlighted
allowing you to type a new value for the Preset.  Press return to enter
the value.

The element window may be moved to a different area of the screen by
pointing to the drag gadget at the top of the window.  Press and hold the
left mouse button.  Move the window to a new location and release the mouse
button.

The element window may be closed at any time by pointing to the window
close gadget and by pressing the left mouse button. Once closed, you may
open an element window for a different element.


6.0  Examples

Several example projects are included on the disk and are located in the
project directory.  Follow the directions in the section describing Load
Project.  After loading a project, enter the RUN mode and follow the
instuctions for the specific project outlined below.  After trying the
projects, experiment with your own logic circuits.


6.1  Project1

Project one contains one Input and one Output element connected together
directly.  Place LogicLab in the RUN mode to experiment with the logic
circuit.  Move the pointer to the Input element and press the left mouse
button.  The Input element will be placed in the ON state.  A light bulb
will appear within the Input element to indicate that it is ON.  Since the
Input and Output elements are connected directly, the Output element will
be turned ON whenever the Input element is turned ON.  The light bulb
within the Output element indicates that it is in the ON state.

Move the pointer to the Input element and press the left mouse button.
The Input element will be turned OFF.  When the Input element is in the
OFF state, the light bulb within the element is no longer visible.  The
Output element is turned OFF and its' light bulb is no longer visible.

After trying Project One, place LogicLab in the STOP mode.  Select New
from the Project menu.  Then try building a circuit with Input and Output
elements.


6.2  Project2

Project two is a circuit using the And element.  The And element has two
inputs and one output.  An Input element is connected to each input of the
And element. The single output is connected to an Output element.

Move the pointer to the top Input element and press the left mouse button
to turn the Input element ON.  Notice that the Output element is still OFF.
Now, move the pointer to the lower Input element and press the left mouse
button to turn the Input element ON.  When both inputs to the And element
are ON, the output of the element is ON.  The Output element is turned ON
since it is connected to the output of the And element.

Try building a new project using the And element.  For example, build a
circuit where three Input elements are used and all three must be turned
ON to turn ON a single Output element.


6.3  Project3

Project three contains two Input elements, an Or element and one Output
element.  Move the pointer to the top Input element and turn it ON.  When
either input to the Or element is ON, its' output is turned ON.  Turn the
top Input element OFF and watch as the Output element is turned OFF.

Try building your own project using the Or element.  For example, build a
circuit using three Input elements such that if any one of the three Input
elements is ON a single Output element is turned ON.


6.4  Project4, Project5, Project6 and Project7

Project four through Project seven show simple citcuits using the Not,
Flip-Flop, Timer and Counter elements respectively.  Try each of the
projects to see how these elements work individually.


6.5  Project8

Project eight contains two Input elements, an And element, a Not element
and an Output element.  They are connected to form a more complex logic
function known as a Nand (not and) function.


6.6  Project9

Project nine is very similar to Project five.  It contains a Flip-Flop,
Input and two Output elements.  The circuit shows how to build a square
wave generator using a Flip-Flop.  The top output of the Flip-Flop element
is connected to the reset input of the Flip-Flop.  Each time the Flip-Flop
goes to the SET state, it resets itself.


6.7  Project10

This project demonstrates how to build what is known as a Latch function.
The Latch is composed of two Not elements in series with the output of the
second Not element also connected to the input of the first Not element.
Once the input to the Latch is energized, the output is energized and
remains energized regardless of the state of the input.


7.0 Registration

We encourage you to become a registered user of LogicLab by completing
a registration form with your name, address and computer model along with
a donation to VS Graphics.  Registration also allows us to keep you
informed of new products, enhancements and any problems found in our
software.

If you should encounter any problems with the software or have any
suggestions that would improve the product, please let us know as soon
as possible.  Problem reports, donations and suggestions should
be sent to:

               VS Graphics
               P.O. Box 518
               Hatfield, PA 19440