Multiplexer

A multiplexer is a combinational circuit that has 2 n input lines and a single output
line. Simply, the multiplexer is a multi-input and single-output combinational circuit.
The binary information is received from the input lines and directed to the output
line. On the basis of the values of the selection lines, one of these data inputs will be
connected to the output.

Unlike encoder and decoder, there are n selection lines and 2 n input lines. So, there is
a total of 2N possible combinations of inputs. A multiplexer is also treated as Mux.

A multiplexer is useful for transmitting a large amount of data over the

network within a certain amount of time and bandwidth.

Multiplexers that are built from transistors and relays are termed as analog
multiplexers which are used in analog applications and Multiplexers that
are built from logic gate termed as digital multiplexers which are used in
digital applications. The inverse of a multiplexer is known as a
demultiplexer.

A multiplexer is a digital circuit that selects one of the n data inputs and
forwards it to the output. The selection of one of the n inputs is done by the
select inputs. To select one of several inputs, we need m select lines such
that 2m=n.

There are various types of the multiplexer which are as follows:

2×1 Multiplexer:
In 2×1 multiplexer, there are only two inputs, i.e., A 0 and A1, 1 selection line, i.e.,
S0 and single outputs, i.e., Y. On the basis of the combination of inputs which are
present at the selection line S 0, one of these 2 inputs will be connected to the output.
The block diagram and the truth table of the 2×1 multiplexer are given below.

Block Diagram:
Truth Table:

The logical expression of the term Y is as follows:

Y=S0'.A0+S0.A1

Logical circuit of the above expression is given below:

4×1 Multiplexer:
In the 4×1 multiplexer, there is a total of four inputs, i.e., A 0, A1, A2, and A3, 2 selection
lines, i.e., S0 and S1 and single output, i.e., Y. On the basis of the combination of
inputs that are present at the selection lines S 0 and S1, one of these 4 inputs are
connected to the output. The block diagram and the truth table of the 4×1
multiplexer are given below.

Block Diagram:

Truth Table:

The logical expression of the term Y is as follows:

Y=S1' S0' A0+S1' S0 A1+S1 S0' A2+S1 S0 A3

Logical circuit of the above expression is given below:

8 to 1 Multiplexer
In the 8 to 1 multiplexer, there are total eight inputs, i.e., A 0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, and
A7, 3 selection lines, i.e., S 0, S1and S2 and single output, i.e., Y. On the basis of the
combination of inputs that are present at the selection lines S 0, S1, and S2, one of
these 8 inputs are connected to the output. The block diagram and the truth table of
the 8×1 multiplexer are given below.

Block Diagram:
Truth Table:

The logical expression of the term Y is as follows:

Y=S0'.S1'.S2'.A0+S0.S1'.S2'.A1+S0'.S1.S2'.A2+S0.S1.S2'.A3+S0'.S1'.S2 A4+S0.S1'.S2 A5+S0'.S1.S2 .A6
+S0.S1.S3.A7

Logical circuit of the above expression is given below:

8 ×1 multiplexer using 4×1 and 2×1 multiplexer

We can implement the 8×1 multiplexer using a lower order multiplexer. To
implement the 8×1 multiplexer, we need two 4×1 multiplexers and one 2×1
multiplexer. The 4×1 multiplexer has 2 selection lines, 4 inputs, and 1 output. The
2×1 multiplexer has only 1 selection line.

For getting 8 data inputs, we need two 4×1 multiplexers. The 4×1 multiplexer
produces one output. So, in order to get the final output, we need a 2 ×1 multiplexer.
The block diagram of 8×1 multiplexer using 4×1 and 2×1 multiplexer is given below.
16 to 1 Multiplexer
In the 16 to 1 multiplexer, there are total of 16 inputs, i.e., A 0, A1, …, A16, 4 selection
lines, i.e., S0, S1, S2, and S3 and single output, i.e., Y. On the basis of the combination of
inputs that are present at the selection lines S 0, S1, and S2, one of these 16 inputs will
be connected to the output. The block diagram and the truth table of the 16×1

Block Diagram:
Truth Table:
The logical expression of the term Y is as follows:

Y=A0.S0'.S1'.S2'.S3'+A1.S0'.S1'.S2 '.S3+A2.S0'.S1'.S2.S3'+A3.S0'.S1 '.S2.S3+A4.S0'.S1.S2'.S3'+A5.S

0 '.S1.S2'.S3+A6.S1.S2.S3'+A7.S0 '.S1.S2.S3+A8.S0.S1'.S2'.S3'+A9 .S0.S1'.S2'.S3+Y10.S0.S1'.S2.S3 '
+A11.S0.S1'.S2.S3+A12 S0.S1.S2 '.S3'+A13.S0.S1.S2'.S3+A14.S0.S1 .S2.S3'+A15.S0.S1.S2'.S3

Logical circuit of the above expression is given below:

16×1 multiplexer using 8×1 and 2×1 multiplexer
We can implement the 16×1 multiplexer using a lower order multiplexer. To
implement the 8×1 multiplexer, we need two 8×1 multiplexers and one 2×1
multiplexer. The 8×1 multiplexer has 3 selection lines, 4 inputs, and 1 output. The
2×1 multiplexer has only 1 selection line.

For getting 16 data inputs, we need two 8 ×1 multiplexers. The 8×1 multiplexer
produces one output. So, in order to get the final output, we need a 2 ×1 multiplexer.
The block diagram of 16×1 multiplexer using 8×1 and 2×1 multiplexer is given
below.
Advantages of a Multiplexer
Some of the advantages of a Multiplexer include:

 A multiplexer reduces the number of wires used. Hence it reduces the circuit
complexity and overall cost.
 A multiplexer improves the reliability of the digital systems because it reduces
the number of external wired connections.
 We can implement many combinational circuits using MUX.
 Multiplexer simplifies the logic design.
 Multiplexer does not need the k-maps (Karnaugh map) and simplification.
Applications of a Multiplexer
Some of the applications of a Multiplexers include:

Communication Systems

 Multiplexers are used as a data selector to select one out of many data inputs
in communication systems to transmit the various types of data (audio, video,
etc.) at the same instant. Hence it increases the efficiency of the
communication system by allowing various types of data into
single transmission lines.
Telephone Networks

 In a telephone network, multiplexers can be used to transmit multiple audio

signals into a single channel.
Computer Memorys

 In computer memory, multiplexers are used to implement a large amount of

data, at the same instant reduces the number of copper wires required to
connect memory to other parts in the computer.
Transmission from the computer system to a satellites

 Multiplexers are also used to transmit the data from the computer system of a
spacecraft or satellite to the earth by utilizing “GPS” (Global Positioning
System) and “GSM” (Global System for Mobile Communication).
Some other applications include:

 Multiplexers can be used to implement the combinational logic circuit like

time-multiplexing systems and frequency multiplexing systems, A/D and D/A
converter.
 Multiplexers can be used to implement Boolean functions of multiple
variables.
 Multiplexers are used in data acquisition systems.

Implementation of SOP function using

multiplexer

Given a SOP function and a multiplexer is also given. We will need to implement the
given SOP function using the given MUX. There are certain steps involved in it: Step
1: Draw the truth table for the given number of variable function. Step 2: Consider
one variable as input and remaining variables as select lines. Step 3: Form a matrix
where input lines of MUX are columns and input variable and its complement are
rows. Step 4: Find AND between both rows on the basis of the truth table. Step
5: Hence whatever is found is considered as input of MUX. We will illustrate it with
an example: Example: Given SOP function f(A, B, C) = m(0, 1, 4, 6, 7) and MUX
is For 3 variable function, the truth

table is Let A and B are the

select lines and C be the
input, Thus, for the
implementation of given logical function, required is one 4×1 MUX and and

inverter.

Example: Implement the following Boolean function using 8:1 MUX

F (A, B, C, D) = Σm (0, 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 15)

Solution: Following are the steps to implement the given Boolean Function using 8:1 MUX:
Step 1: To find number of select lines and input lines of the MUX

For n variable Boolean function, the number of select lines would be (n-1).

As we know that for an 8:1 MUX the number of select lines would be 3. In this case there are
four variables A, B, C & D.

i.e., n = 4

Therefore, Number of select lines would be

n-1 = 3.

The variables B, C and D would be used as select lines.

And the remaining variable i.e., A, which is the MSB, would be taken as the input variable.

Step 2: Formation of Implementation Table

Implementation Table: Write the MSB i.e. A and A/ at the left side of the table column wise and
the other variables i.e., B, C, D at the top of the table row wise sequentially as shown below:

Write numbers from 0 to 15 in the cells of the Implementation table.

Encircle the numbers or minterms given in the question.

If both the numbers in a column are encircled, then put ‘1’ against the corresponding input line
‘I’.

If both the numbers in a column are not encircled, then put ‘0’ against the corresponding input
line ‘I’.

If only one number is encircled in a particular column, then write its corresponding MSB i.e., A
or A/ against its input line ‘I’.
Step 3: Draw the circuit to implement the given Boolean Function using 8:1 MUX

In this way you can implement a combinational logic circuit using Multiplexer.