1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

ELECTRONICS HUB
P ROJ E C T S | T U T O RI A L S | C O U RS E S | K I T S

HOME PROJECTS MINI PROJECTS FREE CIRCUITS TUTORIALS SYMBOLS DIY

PROJECT KITS COURSES CONTACT US

HOME » COMBINATIONAL LOGIC CIRUCITS » BCD TO 7 SEGMENT LED DISPLAY DECODER CIRCUIT

BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder

Circuit
JULY 6, 2015 BY ADMINISTRATOR — 26 COMMENTS

Table of Contents 
1. Introduction
2. Principle of Display Decoder Circuit
3. Theory Behind the Circuit:
4. 7 Segment Display Decoder Circuit Design
4.0.1. K-Map Simpli cation
5. Display Decoder Circuit Operation
6. Applications of Display Decoder Circuit
7. Limitations of Display Decoder Circuit

Introduction
Most often seven-segment displays are used to display the digits in digital watches,
calculators, clocks, measuring instruments and digital counters, etc. Generally, LCD and LED
segments provide the display output of numerical numbers and characters.

However to display the characters and numbers (in order to produce the decimal readout),
seven-segment displays are most commonly used. Mostly these displays are driven by the

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 1/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

output stages of digital ICs (to which the visual indication of the output stages has to be
performed) such as latches and decade counters, etc.

But these outputs are in the form of 4-bit binary coded decimal (BCD), and not suitable for
directly driving the seven-segment displays.

A display decoder is used to convert a BCD or a binary code into a 7 segment code. It
generally has 4 input lines and 7 output lines. Here we design a simple display decoder circuit
using logic gates.

Even though commercial BCD to 7 segment decoders are available, designing a display
decoder using logic gates may prove to be bene cial from economical as well as knowledge
point of view.

Back to top

Principle of Display Decoder Circuit

The basic idea involves driving a common cathode 7-segment LED display using
combinational logic circuit.   The logic circuit is designed with 4 inputs and 7 outputs, each
representing an input to the display IC. Using Karnough’s map, logic circuitry for each input to
the display is designed.

“ Related Post: Water Level Indicator using AVR Microcntroller

Theory Behind the Circuit:

The rst and foremost aspect of this circuit is decoder. A decoder is a combinational circuit
which is used to convert a binary or BCD (Binary Coded Decimal) number to the corresponding
decimal number . It can be a simple binary to decimal decoder or a BCD to 7 segment
decoder.

Another relevant section is the combinational logic circuitry. A combinational logic circuit is a
system of logic gates consisting of only outputs and inputs. The output of a combinational
logic circuit depends only on the present state of the inputs and nothing else. Best examples of
such circuits are Encoders and Decoders, Multiplexers and De-multiplexers, Adders,
Subtractors etc.

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 2/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

To understand the design and operation of these logic circuits, one needs to have a good
knowledge about Boolean algebra and logic gates. For example few basic Boolean algebra
rules to be followed are the complementary law, associative law, De-Morgan’s law etc.

A 7 segment LED display consists of an arrangement of 8 LEDs such that either all the anodes
are common or cathodes are common.  A common cathode 7 segment display consists of 8
pins – 7 input pins labeled from ‘a’ to ‘g’ and 8th pin as common ground pin.

Back to top

7 Segment Display Decoder Circuit Design

Step 1: The rst step of the design involves analysis of the common cathode 7-segment
display.  A 7-segment display consists of an arrangement of LEDs in an ‘H’ form.  A truth table
is constructed with the combination of inputs for each decimal number. For example, decimal
number 1 would command a combination of b and c (refer the diagram given below).

7 Segment LED

Image Resource Link: www.thelearningpit.com

Step 2: The second step involves constructing the truth table listing the 7 display input signals,
decimal number and corresponding 4 digit binary numbers.

The truth table for the decoder design depends on the type of 7-segment display. As we
mentioned above that for a common cathode seven-segment display, the output of decoder
or segment driver must be active high in order to glow the segment.

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 3/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

The gure below shows the truth table of a BCD to seven-segment decoder with common
cathode display. In the truth table , there are 7 di erent output columns corresponding to each
of the 7 segments.

Suppose the column for segment a shows the di erent combinations for which it is to be
illuminated. So ‘a’ is active for the digits 0, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

From the above truth table, the Boolean expressions of each output functions can be written
as

a = F1 (A, B, C, D) = ∑m (0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9)

b = F2 (A, B, C, D) = ∑m (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9)

c = F3 (A, B, C, D) = ∑m (0, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

d = F4 (A, B, C, D) = ∑m (0, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8)

e = F5 (A, B, C, D) = ∑m (0, 2, 6, 8)

f = F6 (A, B, C, D) = ∑m (0, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9)

g = F7 (A, B, C, D) = ∑m (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9)

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 4/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

Step 3: The third step involves constructing the Karnough’s map for each output term and then
simplifying them to obtain a logic combination of inputs for each output.

K-Map Simpli cation

The below gures shows the k-map simpli cation for the common cathode seven-segment
decoder in order to design the combinational circuit.

From the above simpli cation, we get the output values as

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 5/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

Step 4: The nal step involves drawing a combinational logic circuit for each output signal.
Once the task was accomplished, a combinational logic circuit can be drawn using 4  inputs
(A,B,C,D)and a 7- segment display (a,b,c,d,e,f,g) as output.

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 6/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

Back to top

Display Decoder Circuit Operation

The circuit operation can be understood through the truth table itself. When all the inputs are
connected to low logic , the output of the combinational logic circuit would be so as to drive
all the output LEDs except ‘g’ to conduction.  Thus the number 0 will be displayed. Similar
operation would take place for all other combinations of the input switches.

“ Note: Also read the interesting post – LED Blinking Circuits

Practically BCD to 7 segment decoders are available in form of integrated circuits such as
74LS47.  Apart from regular 4 input pins and 7 output pins, it consists of a lamping test pin used
for segment testing, ripple blanking input pin used to blank o zeros in multiple display
systems, ripple blanking output pin used for cascading purposes and a blanking input pin.

Back to top

Applications of Display Decoder Circuit

1. This circuit can be modi ed using timers and counters to display the number of clock
pulses.
2. This circuit can be modi ed to develop an alphabet display system instead of a decimal
number display system.
3. It can be used as a timer circuit.

[Also Read: How To Make an Adjustable Timer ]

Back to top

Limitations of Display Decoder Circuit

1. This circuit involves lot of logic gates and is quite complex.
2. Timing delay by each logic gate is a matter of concern and this circuit might not produce
accurate results when used to display count of pulses.
3. This is a theoretical circuit and may require few modi cations.

Back to top
https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 7/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

FILED UNDER: COMBINATIONAL LOGIC CIRUCITS

Comments

Muhammad Shahmeer says

NOVEMBER 18, 2015 AT 1:20 AM

it is so help full for our project,,,,,

Reply

James says
DECEMBER 6, 2015 AT 4:13 PM

You may want to double check you Boolean algebra on some of the k-maps. Especially for
c, because you have;
c = B + C’ + D
I get from the k-map
c = B + C’D

Reply

Rohit says
FEBRUARY 1, 2016 AT 3:55 AM

c = B + C’ + D is correct

Reply

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 8/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

pagan kalyan naidu says

SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 AT 7:21 PM

Your may be wrong

Reply

Mr. Meseeks says

MARCH 6, 2016 AT 5:17 AM

K-map for b is wrong. m(1) mistakenly became a zero in the map.

Reply

Fran says
MARCH 16, 2016 AT 4:52 PM

The truth table is for a common anode display where logic low enables the segment.

Reply

TittoPullo says
MARCH 18, 2016 AT 12:58 AM

is ther k-map of the e right?? the 1001 should be a 0

Reply

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 9/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

Joey C. says
MARCH 19, 2016 AT 10:02 AM

Your sum of minterms for b = F2 (A, B, C, D) = ∑m (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9), but this doesn’t
translate to the map for b.

Reply

Ambassador77 says
MAY 16, 2017 AT 5:51 PM

This is very easy if we did practice otherwise we can’t do..

Reply

Azadeh says
APRIL 27, 2016 AT 9:33 AM

Tank`s
it`s very good

Reply

ABDALLA says
MAY 26, 2016 AT 12:03 AM

frankly, it helped me as i were doing an assignment, i have to thank the publisher as well as
those who prepare this unique information.

Reply

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 10/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

NEB says
JULY 3, 2016 AT 3:10 PM

Truth table is for Common Anode display……

Reply

Henry says
NOVEMBER 1, 2016 AT 9:37 AM

Useful article however there is an error on the diagram on the OR gate for the ‘f’ output the
rst and last pins should not be connected. There is no node drawn so this is just clearly a
mistake in drawing the diagram rather than a logic mistake.

Reply

Mir Sahib says

NOVEMBER 4, 2016 AT 8:42 AM

i think ‘a’ is wrong

a should be A+C+BD+A’B’D’

Reply

K says
MARCH 13, 2017 AT 12:11 AM

truth table for output ‘d’ is right but when lling the K-Map m(9) has been lled as 1 whereas
it should have been 0 according to the simpli cation…as a result 1 term i.e. ‘A’ is extra in the
output ‘d’.

Reply
https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 11/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

Shahid khan says

APRIL 1, 2017 AT 12:00 AM

d ( 0,2,3,5,6,8) but in k-map you plot it d( 0,2,3,5,6,8,9) so its wrong i think .

Reply

Shahid khan says

APRIL 1, 2017 AT 12:03 AM

d is wrong ……::;d=(023568) but you plot it d=(0235689)

Reply

Hadi says
APRIL 10, 2017 AT 1:52 PM

Can someone explain me about the common cathode and common anode concepts? I
want to how they can a ect the circuit if we used one after another? Thanks

Reply

isaaco says
APRIL 15, 2017 AT 1:41 AM

its really helpful i wanna thank the publisher for great work he/she did.

Reply

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 12/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

GERD says
APRIL 17, 2017 AT 12:15 PM

When making K-map simpli cations, you can’t form groups of 12 like the one for the
function C. You can create groups of 2,4,8,16,32,64 etc. ( all are powers of 2) .

Reply

Deekshitha says
APRIL 24, 2017 AT 7:05 AM

For the display of 9 we consider ‘d’ right?

As well as for 6 we consider ‘a’
Den the k_map and all changes

Reply

Aliyu Hassan says

MAY 28, 2017 AT 8:29 AM

Check please, isn’t the circuit for common anode???

Reply

BEGINNER says
JUNE 18, 2017 AT 8:54 PM

Is there d is right?
How can you make BC’D???
I cannot make it…

Reply

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 13/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

Gertrude says
OCTOBER 1, 2017 AT 11:56 AM

thanks to the publisher

Reply

William Malek Deng says

OCTOBER 21, 2017 AT 9:16 AM

I am very glad because it is very very easy to understand.

Reply

Sonam says
OCTOBER 21, 2017 AT 8:47 PM

Thank you.
It’s really helpful.

Reply

Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required elds are marked *

Comment

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 14/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

Name *

Email *

Website

POST COMMENT

Search this website …

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 15/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

Suggest A Topic [or] Project

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 16/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

PROJECTS BY CATEGORY

Arduino Projects (200+)

Electronics Projects (250+)
Mini Project Circuits (160+)
Mini Project Ideas (150+)
ECE Projects (150+)
EEE Projects (150+)
8051 Projects (110+)
Raspberry Pi Projects (101+)
Electrical Project Ideas (100+)
Embedded Projects (100+)
Latest Electronics Ideas (100+)
Microcontroller Mini Projects (100+)
Robotics Projects (100+)
VLSI Projects (100+)
Solar Projects (100+)
IOT Projects (100+)

Communication Projects (70+)

LED Projects (70+)
Power Electronics Projects (60+)
RFID Projects (60+)
Home Automation Projects (50+)
Matlab Projects (50+)
EIE Projects (50+)
Wireless Projects (50+)
LabView Projects (45+)
Zigbee Projects (45+)
GSM Projects (40+)
555 Timer Circuits (40+)
Sensor Projects (40+)
ARM Projects (60+)
DTMF Projects (30+)
PIC Projects (30+)
Electrical Mini Projects (25)

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 17/18
1/26/2018 BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit Diagram and Working

GENERAL PROJECTS PROJECTS

Tutorials Electrical Mini projects

Symbols Electronics Microcontroller

Courses Embedded Arduino

Calculator Power Solar

Contact Robotics Free circuits

ARM Home Automation

IOT Seminar Topics

Electronics
Questions

TUTORIALS TUTORIALS FOLLOW US

Capacitors Ampli ers Instagram

Resistors IO Devices Youtube

Filters Thyristors Facebook

Diodes DC Circuits Google Plus

Transistors Number System Twitter

Copyright © 2018 Electronicshub.org

https://www.electronicshub.org/bcd-7-segment-led-display-decoder-circuit/ 18/18