chapter 6 : SEVEN-

SEGMENT DISPLAYS
6.1 BCD codes
6.2 Encoders
6.3 Seven-segment LED display
6.4 Decoders
6.5 TTL BCD to seven segment decoder/driver
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 INTRODUCTION
• In real world we use the decimal code to represent numbers. In digital ︎
binary numbers.
• Several codes available in binary :
a) 8421 BCD Code
︎b) Excess-3 Code
︎c) Gray Code
︎ d) ASCII Code
• ︎Needs to understand an electronic translators (perform task to convert
from one code to another in digital electronic)
︎a) Encoders ︎
b) Decoders

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 6.1 8421 BCD CODE
The code is used to represent decimal in easy way.
Use 4-bit binary numbers to represent one decimal number.

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6.2 ENCODERS
• An encoder is a combinational logic circuit that translate decimal to binary
numbers.
• The job of the encoder in the calculator :
- to translate a decimal input to a BCD (8241) number.
• The encoder has 10 inputs on the left and four output on the right.
• This is a basic 10 line-to-4-line encoder.
• The encoder may have one active input, which in turn produces a unique
output.
• The results in BCD output of 0111 (output indicators at the right)

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 The BCD (8421) code list

From this table, you can determine

the relationship between each BCD
bit and the decimal digits in order
to analyse the logic.
example : the most significant bit
of the BCD code, A3 is always a 1
for decimal digit 8 or 9.

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 Basic operation : The decimal to BCD Encoder
HIGH appears on one of the decimal digit input lines, the appropriate level occur
on the four BCD output lines.
If input line 9 is HIGH [all other input are LOW] will produce a HIGH on outputs A0
and A3, LOW on outputs A1 and A2 which is the BCD code (1001) for decimal 9.

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The block diagram for a commercial
decimal to BCD encoder is shown (a). The
most unusual features are the small
bubbles at the inputs and outputs.
The bubbles at the inputs mean that the
inputs are activated by logical 0s (LOW).
The bubbles at the output mean that the
outputs are normally HIGHs or at logical
1s, but when activated, they go LOW or to
logical 0s.
4 inverters - to invert the output back to its
more usual form.
Unusual feature of the encoder is that
there is no zero input.
‘0’ input will mean a ‘1111’ output [at
D,C,B,A] which is true when all inputs (1-9)
are not connected to anything.
When not connected, they are said to be
floating.

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 no inputs
decimal input 9 being activated
by a LOW/0
This produces an LHHL at outputs
D,C,B,A. The LHHL is inverted by
the four inverters, and the BCD
indicators read 1001, which is the
BCD indication for a decimal 9.

An X in the table means

irrevelant. An irrelevant input
can be either HIGH or LOW.
The encoder is called a 10 line-to-4-line
(74147)

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Q1 : List the outputs at the BCD indicators for each of the eight input
pulses shown in Fig. 7-5. (Remember the priority feature, which activates
the highest number that has a LOW input.)

The indicators will read the following BCD (8421) outputs:

pulse a = 0000 pulse b = 0111
pulse c = 0001 pulse d = 1001
pulse e = 0111 pulse g = 0011
pulse f = 0101 pulse h = 0000
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Seven Segment LED Display

! Very common device that use to display decimal

numbers in digital system for seven-segment display.
! There are others display available to perform the same
task:
! Incandescent display
! Gas-discharge tube
! Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD)
! Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VF display)
! Different display needs specific driver or IC in order to
display decimal numbers from binary input.

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! A 7-segment LED display are labeled a through g in
order to display decimal digits from 0 – 9.
! Example: if a, b, and c are lit, a decimal 7 will is
displayed.
! Two types:
! Common anode
! Common cathode

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! Each segment of LED display (a through g) consist of
individual LEDs.
! For common anode, seven LEDs positive terminal are
connected to each other and each individual LEDs
cathode terminals are left not connected and be as
inputs for the display.
! Figure below shows how LED cab be control ON and
OFF using switch.

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 6.4 Decoder
A decoder may be thought of as the opposite of an encoder.
It translate from BCD to decimal.
! Decoder is a code translator
! Translating 8421 BCD code to a 7-segment
display code.
! The display is in decimal.

! Decoders are combinational logic circuits with

several inputs and outputs and come in IC
packages.
A logical 1,or HIGH, will activate an input.

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 The small bubbles attached
to the logic symbol indicate
that the outputs are active
LOW outputs. They normally
float HIGH except when
activated.10 inverters were
added to the circuit to drive
the decimal-indicator lights.
An active output will then be

inverted to a logical 1 at the

output indicators.

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6.5 TTL BCD to seven segment decoder/driver

! A TTL 7447A BCD to seven segment Decoder/driver is a

commercial decoder for 7-segment display to convert BCD
code to 7-segment display.
! The input consists of A, B, C, D, Lamp test (LT), Blanking
(BI/RBO), Zero blanking (RBI)
! ABCD are 4 digits BCD input.
! LT – to lit all LEDs (a – g) " activate when the input LOW.
Perform to test all LEDs.
! Blanking input, BI – to turn off all LEDs " activate when
the input LOW.
! RBI – to blank the display only if it contains a 0 " activate
when input LOW. The BI/RBI input turn to LOW.

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! 7447A IC are all active LOW outputs.
! The output normally HIGH and change to LOW
when activated.

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If the switch is closed, current will flow from GROUND through the limiting resistor to
the b segment LED and out the common anode connection to the power supply.
Only segment b will light.
If you wanted the decimal number 7 to light on the display (in figure), switches a,b,c
would be closed.
If the decimal 5 would be lit, switches a,c,d,f,g would be closed.
GND voltage (LOW) would activate the LED display.
Lamp test input will turn all segments ON to see if all of them
operate.
The blanking inputs turn all the segments OFF when activated.
The lamp test and blanking inputs are activated by LOWs- as shown
by the small bubbles at the inputs.
The BCD inputs are activated by logical 1s.

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JUN 2015
Explain briefly the following terms:
a) encoder
b) decoder
c) seven segment display

SEPT 2013
Indicate by drawing the segment(s) of the seven-segment display for
each input pulse as shown below.

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APR 2011
1. What is the function of the decoder and encoder?
2. list the segment of the seven segment display that will be lit for each of the pulse in
figure below.

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