Saint's Log

Tristate Buffers & Impedance

Learning more about computer architecture has rekindled in me an interest in digital logic. I was perusing the Introduction to Logic Synthesis Using Verilog HDL book when I encountered tristate buffers – one of the less obvious circuit components to me. YouTube proved to be a valuable resource (as it often does) with a variety of explanations about what they are and how they are used. Below is my favorite video on the topic.

I wanted to learn more about the concept of impedance since the high impedance mode is one of the tristate buffer states. Wikipedia’s article on Electrical impedance seemed a bit much for the high level overview I sought. Back on YouTube, I found this video that, while not focussed on digital circuits, was quite interesting. It got me to order a P3 P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor for myself.