A multiplexer also known as a data selector, is a
device that selects binary information from one
of many input lines(2n )and directs it to a single
output line.
A multiplexer of 2n inputs has n select lines,
which are used to select which input line to send
the output.
Logic circuit/Block diagram
of a Multiplexer
There will be 3 types of problems to implement a multiplexer:
1. To draw a logic diagram of A : 1 or A X 1 Multiplexer.
( Where A=2n).
2. Boolean Function Implementation using Multiplexer.
3. Implementation through Scaled down Multiplexer.
e.g. 1: Implement 8 x 1 multiplexer
here 2n =8 n=3 ( no. of select lines)
Select lines Output
S2 S1 S0 Y
0 0 0 l0
0 0 1 l1
0 1 0 l2
0 1 1 l3
1 0 0 l4
1 0 1 l5
1 1 0 l6
1 1 1 l7
Equation of 8 x 1 multiplexer
F = S2’.S1’.S0’.l0 + S2’.S1’.S0.l1 + S2’.S1.S0’.l2 + S2’.S1.S0.l3 + S2.S1’.S0’.l4 + S2.S1’.S0.l5 + S2.S1.S0’.l6
+ S2.S1.S0.l7
S2 S1 S0
l0
l1
l2
l3
l4
l5
l6
l7
Type 2:
Boolean Function Implementation using Multiplexer.
• Any Boolean function of n variables can be implemented
with 2n-1 to 1 multiplexer(or MUX).
• For a function of n variables, we take n-1 variables as
selection lines and remaining 1 variable for the inputs of
the multiplexer.
e.g. : Implement the following function with a multiplexer
F(A,B,C,D) = ∑(0,1,3,4,8,9,15)
• Given function is a 4 variables function i.e. n=4. Thus it will be implemented
using 2(4-1) to 1 i.e. 8 to 1 multiplexer and selection lines would be 3.
• Now we will follow given steps:
Step 1. Single out leftmost variable from the ordered set of variables.
In given example ordered set is ABCD. Hence we will take A.
Step 2. Connect n-1(here 3) variables to the selection lines according to their
order(order decreases from left to right).
In given example D(lowest order variable) will connect to S0 , C to S1 and
B to S2 selection line.
Step 3. In a truth table, the singled out variable(here A) is 0 for the first half of
the minterms and is 1 for the rest of minterms.
e.g. : Implement the following function with a multiplexer
F(A,B,C,D) = ∑(0,1,3,4,8,9,15)
Step 4.Now list all inputs of the multiplexer and under them list all
the minterm in two rows. The first row lists all those where Singled
out variable is 0(complemented form) and second row lists those
where singled out Variable is 1 (uncomplemented form)
Acc. To given example, Implementation Table is
l0 l1 l2 l3 l4 l5 l6 l7
A’ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
A 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
F(A,B,C,D) = ∑(0,1,3,4,8,9,15)
Step 5.To decide the values to be applied to input follow given rules:
Rule 1: if both the minterms in a column are not circled, apply 0.
Rule 2: if both the minterms in a column are circled, apply 1.
Rule 3: if the minterm of second row is circled only, apply singled out variable
(here A).
Rule 4: if the minterm of first row is circled only, apply complemented form of
singled out variable( i.e. A’)
Implementation Table is
l0 l1 l2 l3 l4 l5 l6 l7
A’ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
A 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
1 1 0 A’ A’ 0 0 A
F(A,B,C,D) = ∑(0,1,3,4,8,9,15)
Block diagram of 8: 1 multiplexer
1 ll00
ll11
0 ll22
A’ l3
8x1 output
ll44 Multiplexer
ll55
ll6
6
A l7l7 S2 S1 S0
S2 S1 S0
USES OF MULTIPLEXER
• It is used as Data selector.
• It is used to perform high-speed switching.
• It is used in communication system to allow
transmission of data from different channels
through a single line.
• In telephone networks, multiple audio signals
are integrated on a single line of transmission
with the help of multiplexer.
