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I am building a 4-bit adder/subtractor circuit using only logic gates on a breadboard. The following IC chips are being used:
XOR- 7486, AND - 7408, OR - 7432.

I have the full adders working fine. However, I can't seem to get my subtractor working, using an XOR gate - 7486. I understand the math, 2s complement, truth table, and concepts. I attached a schematic.

Problem: I don't understand where to connect the first carry-in. Since there is no carry-in on the first adder, I tied it to ground. That makes the adder work.

However, in order for the subtractor to work, I am confused about where to connect the first carry-in. The schematic shows it to be connected to both the mode switch and the first B input for the first full adder. I did that. It just makes the circuit light up random values. Even when all the inputs are low. I have the first input of B (LSB, B0) connected to the XOR, along with the first carry-in. The output is connected to the B input of the full adder.

I get the feeling that I am making this more difficult than it should be. If I can get the first carry-in connected correctly, I believe I will be fine from there.

adder/subtractor

As soon as I flip on subtractor (¬ADD/SUB) to high, the value 4 comes on, without any inputs (A = 0, B = 0).
When A = 0 and B = 1, the value is 3.
When A = 1 and B = 1, the value is 4.
When A = 3 and B = 1, the value is 6.
When A = 2 and B = 3, the value is 3.
Also, the adders were working fine until I hooked up the subtractor. The adders are not giving correct values either.
It has to be my first carry-in is wrong.
However, I have it connected to the mode and the carry-in, as well as the XOR.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ The schematics looks fine. Carry-in is set to one when subtracting using two's complement : A - B = (A + /B + 1) \$\endgroup\$ Commented Apr 30, 2023 at 21:00
  • \$\begingroup\$ Yes. However, when I set the carry-in to one, it immediately displays random outputs, even when the inputs are 0. Does the first carry-in need to be disconnected from the adder? \$\endgroup\$ Commented Apr 30, 2023 at 21:13
  • \$\begingroup\$ Please specify some test cases (A, B and S) for what you are calling "random values". \$\endgroup\$ Commented Apr 30, 2023 at 21:23
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    \$\begingroup\$ Ad soon as I flip on subtractor to high, the value 4 comes on, without any inputs ( A = 0, B = 0). \$\endgroup\$ Commented Apr 30, 2023 at 21:33
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    \$\begingroup\$ When A = 0 and B = 1, it gives the value 3. A = 1 and B = 1, the value is 4. When A = 3 and B = 1, the value is 6. When A = 2 and B = 3, the output is 3. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Apr 30, 2023 at 21:35

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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The schematic is correct: with SUB set to 1 the 4 XOR gates invert all the bits in B and add one (carry in), thus computing the two's complement.

Besides any a errors at the breadboard connections, or damaged ICs, what may explain the "random values" is a wrong conversion for negative values, which may actually be correct.

These are the expected values for the test cases you provided (with SUB = 1):

A B = S Cout 0 0 = 0 1 0 1 = F 0 1 1 = 0 1 3 1 = 2 1 2 3 = F 0

I'd suggest that you check the intermediate values with a multimeter or a "LED probe" to find the error.

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    \$\begingroup\$ Thank you @devnull. I never got F. I did notice that the voltage dropped by .5V when I switched from the adder to SUB. I must be grounding something that shouldn't be grounded. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Apr 30, 2023 at 22:04
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    \$\begingroup\$ @MichaelPaxinos if the schematic looks right, the error may be in the breadboard. I'd not short an input to a power rail, but use a 100 Ω resistor. I've suggested to consolidate several comments into the question body, information about the voltage drop should go there too, and possibly an image of the breadboard. \$\endgroup\$ Commented May 1, 2023 at 6:47

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