Vol. Digital Circuits
Chapter 9 Combinational Logic Functions

Multiplexers

A multiplexer, abbreviated mux, is a device that has multiple inputs and one output.

The schematic symbol for multiplexers is

 

The truth table for a 2-to-1 multiplexer is

 

I1 I0 A D
0 0 0 0
0 0 1 0
0 1 0 0
0 1 1 1
1 0 0 1
1 0 1 0
1 1 0 1
1 1 1 1

 

Using a 1-to-2 decoder as part of the circuit, we can express this circuit easily.

 

using a 1 to 2 decoder as part of the circuit diagram

 

using a 1 to 2 decoder as part of the circuit diagram

 

 

Multiplexers can also be expanded with the same naming conventions as demultiplexers. A 4-to-1 multiplexer circuit is

 

4 to 1 multiplexer circuit

 

That is the formal definition of a multiplexer. Informally, there are a lot of confusions. Both demultiplexers and multiplexers have similar names, abbreviations, schematic symbols and circuits, so confusion is easy. The term multiplexer, and the abbreviation mux are often used to also mean a demultiplexer, or a multiplexer and a demultiplexer working together. So when you hear about a multiplexer, it may mean something quite different.

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2 Comments
  • RediDad August 02, 2020

    I couldn’t quite understand Multiplexers by reading this. Can you give a little bit detail to it?

    Like. Reply
    • RK37 August 11, 2020
      Here are some additional resources that you might find helpful: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-articles/implementing-multiplexers-with-pass-transistor-logic/ https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/worksheets/multiplexers-and-demultiplexers/ https://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/threads/how-multiplexer-truth-table-works.111483/
      Like. Reply