Logikenhet

Logikenhet is a term used in some Scandinavian-language contexts to denote a unit that performs logical operations within a digital circuit or computer processor. In English-language literature, the corresponding concept is usually called a logic unit or, more specifically, a logic function unit, and is often subsumed under the broader term arithmetic logic unit (ALU) when combined with arithmetic operations.

Definition and scope: A logikenhet implements Boolean functions on binary inputs, producing binary outputs. Depending on the design, it can be purely combinational or include sequential elements for more complex operations. It is typically constructed from basic logic gates such as AND, OR, and NOT, and may incorporate components like multiplexers, decoders, and comparators.

Role in computer architecture: In a CPU datapath, the logikenhet performs logical operations (for example, AND, OR, XOR, NOT), as well as comparisons and bitwise masking. The control unit selects the operation and directs data flow, often coordinating with other units such as the arithmetic unit and the shift/rotate logic.

Terminology and usage: The exact scope of what is called a logikenhet varies by source. Some texts use the term to refer to a single ALU, while others use it to describe a broader family of logic blocks within a processor. The term is more common in Dutch, Norwegian, or Swedish-language materials than in English.

See also: Digital logic, Logic gate, Arithmetic logic unit, CPU datapath, Boolean algebra.