loader image

Multiplexers

Multiplexer(MUX) is a device that allows digital signals from several sources to be routed onto a single line of output. It has several input lines and a single output line. It has also data selector lines which specifies which input signal has to be switched to the output line. n data selector lines are required for routing 2n input lines.

4-input Multiplexer

A 4-input multiplexer has two data-selector lines a combination of which are used to select any of the four data-input lines.

Logic symbol of a 4-input MUX is shown in figure.

mux block 4 1

If a binary 0 is applied to the data-selector lines, the data on input D0 appear on the data-output line. If a binary 1 is applied to the data-selector lines, the data on input D1 appear on the data-output line. If a binary 2 is applied to the data-selector lines, the data on input D2 appear on the data-output line. If a binary 3 is applied to the data-selector lines, the data on input D0 appear on the data-output line.

This operation is given in the table.

Data Selector Output
S1 S0 Y
0 0 D_0
0 1 D_1
1 0 D_2
1 1 D_3

From the table it is clear that

Y is D_0 only if S_1=0 and S_0=0 : Y=D_0 \overline S_1 \overline S_0.
Y is D_0 only if S_1=0 and S_0=1 : Y=D_1 \overline S_1 S_0.
Y is D_0 only if S_1=1 and S_0=0 : Y=D_2 S_1 \overline S_0.
Y is D_0 only if S_1=1 and S_0=1 : Y=D_3 S_1 S_0.

The total expression for the data output is

Y=D_0 \overline S_1 \overline S_0+D_1 \overline S_1 S_0+D_2 S_1 \overline S_0+D_3 S_1 S_0

This can be implemented using four 3-input AND gates, a 4-input OR gate, and two inverters as shown in the figure.

4:1 multiplexer circuit

8-input Multiplexer

An 8-input multiplexer has three data-selector lines a combination of which is used to select any of the eight data-input lines.

Logic symbol of a 8-input MUX is shown in figure.

multiplexer 8 1

The operation of 8:1 MUX is described in the truth table.

Data Selector Output
S2 S1 S0 Y
0 0 0 D_0
0 0 1 D_1
0 1 0 D_2
0 1 1 D_3
1 0 0 D_4
1 0 1 D_5
1 1 0 D_6
1 1 1 D_7

The expression for the data output can be derived from the truth table

Y=D_0 \overline{S_2} \overline{S_1} \overline{S_0}+D_1\overline{S_2}\overline{S_1}{S_0}+D_2\overline{S_2}S_1\overline{S_0}+D_3\overline{S_2}{S_1}{S_0}+D_4S_2\overline{S_1}\overline{S_0}+D_5S_2\overline{S_1}S_0+D_6S_2S_1\overline{S_0}+D_7S_2S_1S_0

This can be implemented using eight 4-input AND gates, an 8-input OR gate, and three inverters.

Higher-Order MUX Using Lower Order MUX

Multiplexers can also be implemented using a set of lower order multiplexers. Construction of an 8×1 multiplexer using 4×1 and 2×1 multiplexers is shown in the figure.

construction of 8x1 multiplexer using 4x1 multiplexer

Further Reading

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments