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BCD To 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit

This document describes the design of a BCD to 7-segment LED display decoder circuit using logic gates. The circuit converts a 4-bit binary coded decimal (BCD) input into a 7-segment display output. It works by using combinational logic gates like AND, OR, and NOT gates to decode the BCD input according to a truth table and drive the correct segments of the 7-segment display. The circuit is designed step-by-step and includes constructing the truth table, mapping outputs using Karnaugh maps, and drawing the final logic gate schematic to decode the BCD input for the 7-segment display.

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Marx Lennin Cabaltican
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1K views

BCD To 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit

This document describes the design of a BCD to 7-segment LED display decoder circuit using logic gates. The circuit converts a 4-bit binary coded decimal (BCD) input into a 7-segment display output. It works by using combinational logic gates like AND, OR, and NOT gates to decode the BCD input according to a truth table and drive the correct segments of the 7-segment display. The circuit is designed step-by-step and includes constructing the truth table, mapping outputs using Karnaugh maps, and drawing the final logic gate schematic to decode the BCD input for the 7-segment display.

Uploaded by

Marx Lennin Cabaltican
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BCD to 7 Segment LED Display Decoder Circuit

March 26, 2014 By Administrator Leave a Comment


A display decoder is used to convert a BCD or a binary code into a 7 segment code used to operate a 7 segment
LED display. 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 beneficial from economical as well as knowledge point of view.

Principle Behind 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 Karnoughs
map, logic circuitry for each input to the display is designed.
Related Post: Water Level Indicator using AVR Microcntroller

Theory Behind the Circuit:


The first 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 Demultiplexers, Adders, Subtractors etc.
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-Morgans law etc. The De-Morgans law states how AND of two NOTs can be converted to a
single NOR. In other words, (NOT A) AND (NOT B) can be changed to A NOR B.
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.
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 off zeros in multiple display systems, ripple blanking output pin used for cascading purposes and a
blanking input pin.

Circuit Diagram of BCD to Seven Segment LED Display


Decoder:

BCD to 7 Segment Display Decoder Circuit Diagram ElectronicsHub.Org

Display Decoder Circuit Components:

IC 7405 Hex Inverters (NOT gates)

Two IC 7408 (Quad AND gates)

Three IC 7432 (Quad OR gates)

IC 7402 (Quad NOR gate)

4 DPST switches

Common cathode 7- segment LED display

5 V Battery

7 Segment Display Decoder Circuit Design:


Step 1: The first 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. Given below is the truth table:

Inputs

In Decimal

Outputs
a

Inputs

In Decimal

Outputs

Step 3: The third step involves constructing the Karnoughs map for each output term and then simplifying them to
obtain a logic combination of inputs for each output. After significant mapping and simplification, each output signal
can be summarized below

a = (A OR C) OR (B AND C) OR (B NOR D).

b = (NOT B) OR (C NOR D) OR (C AND D).

c = B OR D OR (NOT C)

d = (B NOR D) OR (C AND (B NAND D)) OR (B AND D AND (NOT C)) OR A

e = (B NOR D) OR (C AND (NOT D))

f = A OR (C NOR D) OR (B AND (C NAND D))

g = A OR (B AND (NOT C)) OR (C AND (B NAND D))


Step 4: The final step involves drawing a combinational logic circuit for each output signal. Once the task was
accomplished, a combinational logic circuit was drawn on Multisim using 4 switches as inputs and a 7- segment
display as output.

Display Decoder Circuit Operation:


The circuit operation can be understood through the truth table itself. When all the switches are connected such that
each input is grounded, 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

Applications of Display Decoder Circuit:


1.

This circuit can be modified using timers and counters to display the number of clock pulses.

2.

This circuit can be modified to develop an alphabet display system instead of a decimal number display
system.

3.

It can be used as a timer circuit.

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 modifications.

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