1

Decoder

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2.Basics of Decoders
1. Binary Decoders
1. A 2 to 4 line Decoder
2. A 3 to 8 line (Binary to Octal) Decoder
3. A 4 to 16 line (Binary to Hexadecimal) Decoder
4. BCD to Decimal Decoder
2. Special Decoders
1. BCD to seven segment decoder

3 Applications
1. Leading zero suppression
2. Multiplexed display
3. Time division multiplexing
4. Address decoder
5. Function generator

4. Summary

Learning outcome –

After studying this module, you will be able to:

1. Understand the importance of decoders
2. Learn the principles of decoding
3. Study the types of decoders and their design
4. Get familiar with the applications of decoders.

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 2

1. Introduction

Decoders are digital systems which are used for decoding the information. In other words, the
decoders decrypt or retrieve the actual data from the received code. It converts the binary input
code into the desired output format. In all Modern digital system like calculators, mobile
phones, fax machines, computers and other digital gadgets, encoder is used at input side for
encoding and decoder is used at output side for decoding.
decoding There is a wide variety of applications
like data de-multiplexing, memory address decoding, seven segment display decoding, binary
function generator etc.

Fig. 1: Simple block diagram of Digital system showing encoder and decoder

Figure -1 indicates the position of encoder and decoder in the digital system. Encoders receive
the input from the keyboard to generate binary for further processing. Decoder accepts the
processed binary code and converts back in the format useful for output devices like seven
segment display, CRT, Printers etc. Let us now study the decoder in details.

2. Basics of Decoder

Decoder is a combinational logic circuit that converts abinary code into the desired output
signals. It is called decoder because it performs the reverse process of encoder. The process of
converting binaryinput code into desirable output is known as decoding.

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 3

Figure 2 is the logic symbol of decoder with ‘n’ inputs and ‘m’ outputs. In short, it is multiple
inputs and multiple outputs device with proper conversion system. Note that decoder performs
the reverse operation of the encoder.

Fig. 2: Logic Symbol of a Decoder

A decoder has ‘n’ number of input lines and ‘m’ number of output lines. There are 2n possible
input combinations and the number of outputs (m) are less than or equal to 2n .Here the number
of outputs can have following relation

m  2n

Decoder converts an n bit code to single active output. The information present in one code is
obtained back into the desired code. In general Decoder is circuit which convert specific code
into more general form of code.

• A decoder is a logic circuit that accepts a set of inputs that represents a binary number
and activates only the output that corresponds to the input binary number.
• In other words, a decoder circuit looks at its inputs, determines which binary number is
present and activates the one output that corresponds to that number; all other outputs
remain inactive

The basic function of a decoder is used to detect the presence of a specified combination of bits
(code) on its inputs and to indicate the presence of that code by a specific output level. In its

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 4

general form, a decoder has n input lines to handle n bits and from one out of 2n output lines to
indicate the presence of one or more n bit combinations.
combinations

A decoder is similar to de-multiplexer without Data input. The only inputs are the select inputs
or control inputs.As its name indicates, a decoder is a circuit that decodes an input code. Givena
binary code of n-bits, a decoder will tell which code is this out of the 2n possible codes.

Decoders

Linear Special
Decoders Decoders

4 to 16 line
7-segment
2 to 4 line 3 to 8 line (BCD to Decoder
Decimal)

Fig. 3: Classification of decoders

There are two types of decoders: linear or binary decoders and special decoders as shown in
figure 3.In binary (or linear) decoder, only one output line corresponding to input binary code is
activated. Whereas the special decoders do not limit activation of single output like binary
decoder/demultiplexer but can have more than two outputs activated at a time.

2.1 Linear or Binary decoders

A basic decoder is basically a multiple-input and multiple output logic devices that converts
coded inputs into coded output. Here input and output codes are different in type and size. The
binary decoder is n-line to 2n line decoder. These decoders convert binary information from n
coded inputs to maximum of 2n unique outputs. Typical examples are 2 to 4 line decoder, 3 to 8
decoder or 4 to 16 decoder and so on. Thus, the decoder can decode a two, three or four-bit

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 5

binary number. Decoder may have less than 2n outputs e.g. BCD to decimal decoder.

2.1.1 A 2 to 4 line decoder

The simplest decoder is a 2 to 4 line decoder. It has two inputs S1 and S0 and four outputs
denoted by Y0, Y1, Y2 and Y3. Figure 3 indicates the logic symbol and Truth table of 2 to 4 line
decoder. The output of the decoder is active HIGH.
HIGH In this decoder, note that S1 represents MSB
and S0 is the LSB of the input code.

Inputs Outputs
S1 S0 Y0 Y1 Y2 Y3
0 0 1 0 0 0
0 1 0 1 0 0
1 0 0 0 1 0
1 1 0 0 0 1

Figure-4: Logic Symbol and Truth Table of 2 to 4 line decoder

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 6

From the truth table of 2 to 4 line decoder, one can obtain the Boolean expression for each
output. From these logic expressions, it is possible to draw the logic diagram for 2 to 4 line
decoder.

Figure 5: Logic diagram of 2 to 4 line decoder

The logic diagram of 2 to 4 line decoder is shown in fig. 5. The logic diagram is generated with
the help of AND gates and Inverters. AND gate provides the product terms or MINTERMS of
the decoder for input combination.
Active LOW decoder
In many applications, decoders are designed with active low output. In such a case AND gates
are replaced by NAND gates. Other interconnections with select inputs are unchanged. Fig. 6
shows the active LOW 2 to 4 line decoder

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 7

Figure 6: Active LOW 2 to 4 line decoder

Generally, decoders have the “enable” input .The enable input performs no logical
operation, but is only used for making the decoder ACTIVE or INACTIVE.
1. If the enable E is zero, then all outputs are zero regardless of the input values.
2. If E is ‘1’, then the decoder performs its normal operation.
Such decoder has active HIGH enable inputs. In many decoders active LOW enable input is also
preferred.

2.1.2 A 3 to 8 (Binary to Octal) decoder

In three to eight decoder, there are three inputs and eight outputs, as shown in figure 7. S0 is the
least significant variable, while S2 is the most significant variable. The three inputs are decoded
into eight outputs namely Y0, Y1,…Y7 . The function table indicates, binary values at the input
from eight combinations activate the corresponding output line.

This 3 to 8 line decoder is also known as binary to octal decoder.

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 8

Figure 7: Logic symbol and function table of 3 to 8 line decoder

Figure 8: A 3 to 8 (binary to octal) decoder

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 9

In three to eight decoder, there are three inputs and eight outputs, as shown in fig. 8. A 3 to 8
line decoder generates 8 product terms corresponding to each binary code applied at the three
inputs. Thus there is a need of eight 3-input AND gates and 3 NOT gates to generate the
complement of input along with un-complemented
complemented input. It is possible to verify the truth table by
providing input condition and checking whether desired product term is activated on not.
In many decoders, there is an enable function, a LOW level on input E1,E2 and a HIGH level on
input E3, is required in order to make the enable gate output HIGH and to enable the decoding
action.
Input binary code makes only the respective output High and other outputs will be inactive i.e.
Low. When select inputs are 000 then the decoder generates only Y0=1 and other outputs are 0.
From the truth table it is clear that the input binary code decides which output is to be activated.

2.1.3 A 4 to 16 line (Binary to Hexadecimal) decoder

Figure-9: A 4 to 16 decoder

The 4 to 16 decoder is also popularly known as Binary to Hexadecimal decoder. It converts

each binary code into one of sixteen possible outputs as shown in fig. 9.

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 10

The method of implementation is essentially the same as previous decoders. This decoder has 4
inputs say A, B, C and D. The 4 bit binary activates only one out of 16 possible output product
terms, which are labeled as Y0, Y1, …. Y15
15. All the outputs are active HIGH in this
implementation. The design implementation requires sixteen 4-input AND gates and 4 NOT
gates.

Let us now look at the scaled down version of the previous decoder. The BCD to decimal
decoder converts each binary code into one of ten possible outputs indicating decimal number.
The method of implementation is essentially the same as previous decoders. This decoder has 4
inputs say A, B, C and D. This 4 bit binary activates only one out of 10 possible product terms,
which are labeled as Y0, Y1, …. Y9. Please note that All the outputs are active LOW in this
implementation. This implementation requires Ten 4-input NAND gates and 4 NOT gates.
Active LOW outputs in the decoder are implemented using NAND gates and active HIGH
outputs are implemented using AND gates.

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 11

2.2 Special Decoders

Let us now get familiar with Special Decoders. The binary decoders studied so far generates only
one output of many in response to the binary inputs to the decoder. Whereas special decoder
activates more than one outputs simultaneously for the applied input binary code.
Many digital types of equipment require some means for displaying information. One of the
simplest and most popular methods for displaying numeric digits utilizes seven segment
configuration to for numbers 0 to 9 and sometimes the hex characters A to F.
Special decoders are designed to drive the Seven Segment display. Each segment is made up of
material that emits light when current is passed through it. Most commonly used devices include
light emitting diode (LEDs). The seven segment display has 7 LEDs for the segments and one
additional LED for dot i.e. used as decimal point..
There are two configurations for seven segment display. These are Common Anode and
Common Cathode Display.

Figure 10: Two configuration of Seven segment display

As shown in fig. 10, in common anode displays, the anodes of all LEDs are connected in
common and cathodes are labeled as a,b,c,d,e,f,g, and dp in sequential order. The common anode
requires the driving circuit to provide LOW level voltage in order to activate a given segment.
When a LOW level is applied to a segment input, the LED is forward biased and current flows
through it.

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 12

2.2.1 BCD to seven segment decoder

Designer can select either common anode or common cathode depending on the application. The
logic symbol of BCD to seven segment decoder / driver has 4 inputs and eight outputs is shown
in fig. 11. This BCD to seven segment decoder generates a seven segment code in response to
binary code for driving the seven segment display.
display

Digit Segments Activated

0 a,b,c,d,e,f
1 b,c
2 a,b,g,e,d
3 a,b,g,c,d
4 b,c,f,g
5 a,c,d,f,g
6 a,c,d,e,f,g
7 a,b,c
8 a,b,c,d,e,f,g
9 a,b,c,f,g

Figure 11: BCD to seven segment decoder

In order to display a decimal digit, it necessary for the decoder to activate the desired segment.
Let us now prepare a table for displaying a decimal digit and corresponding activated segments.
For displaying digit 0, LED segments a,b,c,d,e and f must be activated and segments g and dp are
OFF.
Let us now find out activated segments for displaying digit 1. Here only b and c segments must
be activated and other segments are deactivated.
deactivated For displaying digit 2, LED segments a,b,g,e,d
are activated and so on.

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 13

Let us now study the actual interfacing of BCD to seven segment decoder/driver with the seven
segment display as shown in fig. 12. Here limiting resistors are connected between them. The
resistor value decides the brightness of the segment.

Figure 12: Interfacing seven segment display.

Let us now consider display of decimal number 2. If BCD input is 0010 then decoder generates
outputs to display decimal number 2. And so on

Table -3: BCD to seven segment decoder/driver ICs

Rating ( Maximum
IC
Output Voltage, Sink
No
Current)

7446 Active low, open collector 30V, 40 mA

7447 Active low, open collector 15V, 40 mA

Active High, Pull Up

7448 5.5V, 6 mA
Resistor

7449 Active high, open collector 5.5V, 8 mA

Let us look at the commercially available BCD to seven segment decoder / driver ICs. IC 7446
and 7447 has open collector output and the decoder requires active LOW output to drive the
common anode display configuration of 7 segment display. Whereas IC 7448 is recommended
for driving common cathode displays.

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 14

Figure 13: BCD to seven segment decoder/driver ICs

In addition to 4 BCD inputs and seven segment outputs, this decoder has 3 additional pins. These
are used for special purpose.
The function of LT i.e. Lamp test terminal is to test all the seven segments of the display. As it is
active LOW input, LOW on this pin turns ON all the LED segments of the display. In normal
decoding application, this terminal should be connected to logic HIGH.
Let us now talk about BI i.e. Blanking Input. If this terminal is connected to LOW level, the
display is switched OFF irrespective of BCD inputs.
inputs This is used for conserving the power in
multiplexed display application.
RBI i.e. Ripple Blanking Input is connected to logic “HIGH” in normal decoding application. If
it is connected to LOW logic, then the segment outputs will generate the data for normal seven
segment decoding applications except BCD input Zero. Whenever all the BCD inputs are zero
corresponding to decimal zero then the seven segment display is turned OFF. This is used for
Zero blanking in multi digit display.
The RBO i.e. Ripple Blanking Output is used for cascading purpose ans is connected to RBI
terminal of succeeding stage. Normally there is a common terminal for BI and RBO in many ICs.

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 15

IC 7446/47 is a TTL IC for driving a common anode display as shown in this figure 14.
Common anode terminal is connected to +Vcc.. Decoder IC has open collector outputs where
seven segments are connected through the current limiting resistors. Logic circuit inside the IC
converts BCD input to a required output.

Figure 14: Common anode display decoder and driver

Figure 15: Common cathode display decoder and driver

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders
 16

IC 7448 is a TTL IC for driving a common cathode display as shown in this figure 15. Common
cathodes of all LED segments are connected to common ground.The decoder IC has its own
current limiting resistor on the chip. Logic circuit inside the IC converts BCD input to a required
output.

3. Summary

Decoder is a combinational logic circuit that converts abinary code into the desired
output signals. It is called decoder because it performs the reverse process of encoder. The
process of converting binary input code into desirable output is known as decoding.
A decoder has ‘n’ number of input lines and ‘m’ number of output lines. Decoder converts an
n bit code to single active output. The number of outputs can have following relation

m  2n

There are two types of decoders: linear or binary decoders and special decoders. The
binary decoders generates only one output of many in response to the binary inputs to the
decoder. Whereas special decoder activates more than one outputs simultaneously for the
applied input binary code.
Special decoders are designed to drive the Seven Segment display. Each segment is made up of
material that emits light when current is passed through it. Most commonly used devices
include light emitting diode (LEDs). There are two configurations for seven segment display.
.
These are Common Anode and Common Cathode Display.
There are many applications of Decoder like leading zero suppression, multiplexed display,
time division multiplexing, data decoding and function generator.

Digital Electronics
Electronic Science
11. Decoders