Multiplexer

Typical Symbol (2:1 MUX)

Functional

Truth Table

2:1 MUX Inputs Outputs Sel A B Q 0 0 X 0 0 1 X 1 1 X 0 0 1 X 1 1

Other Gates Buffer TriBuffer NOT AND OR XOR NAND NOR XNOR Trans AOI OAI MAJ INH IMPLY NIMPLY

Other Components Plexers MUX DEMUX Encoder Decoder Pri-Encoder ALU Adder Subtractor Multiplier Divider Shifter Rotator MAC Comparator Negator Memory D latch D flip-flop SR latch JK flip-flop T flip-flop Register Register file SRAM Counter ROM CAM DRAM I/O Shift register SIPO PISO ADC DAC

A multiplexer (mux) is a device that selects one of its inputs and connects it to its output. A set of inputs called select lines determine which input should be passed to the output. For a 2:1 (two-to-one) MUX, when sel is 0, q = a and when sel is 1, q = b. A multiplexer with 2^N input lines requires N select lines.

Multiplexers are useful in any application in which data must be chosen from multiple sources to a single destination. Multiplexers are also heavily used in I/O operations, data buses, and register files. Additionally multiplexers have also found their way to various other circuits such as adders.

Enable

It's often desirable to add an enable input EN to a multiplexer. An enable input makes the multiplexer operate. When EN = 0, the output is 0. When EN = 1, the multiplexer performs its operation depending on the selection line.

Variations

Many different variations of multiplexers exist.

2:1 Mux

A 2:1 Mux is the simplest multiplexer that can be made. Its selection lines are made of a single bit. A truth table is provided on the right. The logic function of a 2:1 Mux is: Q=(A ∧ S) ∨ (B ∧ S)

2:1 Mux Sel A B Q 0 0 X 0 0 1 X 1 1 X 0 0 1 X 1 1

Very fast, CMOS-based, 2:1 Mux devices can be built using two transmission gates as shown below. Note that the implementation below is a nonrestoring multiplexer.

4:1 Mux

4:1 Mux

Sel<0>	Sel<1>	I<0>	I<1>	I<2>	I<3>	Q
0	0	0	X	X	X	0
0	0	1	X	X	X	1
0	1	X	0	X	X	0
0	1	X	1	X	X	1
1	0	X	X	0	X	0
1	0	X	X	1	X	1
1	1	X	X	X	1	1
1	1	X	X	X	0	0

A 4:1 Multiplexer is a common multiplexer that takes selects one input among 4 and connects it to its output based on a 2-bit select line. There are many way to construct a 4:1 Mux, one possibility is using 2:1 Mux as shown below:

Alternatively, a 4:1 Mux can be built out of basic gates. Its function is shown below:

Q =

Where A, B, C, and D are the four inputs. Q is the output.

Larger Multiplexers

Multiplexers generally only come in a few common sizes. Even in ASIC design, arbitrary sized multiplexers are not always offered. Large multiplexers can always be built from a collection of smaller ones. Consider a register file with 32 registers where we only want to select a single register at any given time. Such multiplexer can be design from four 8:1 Mux.

74151 - 8:1 Mux

74151 IC Chip

A common multiplexer is the 8:1 Mux which selects one of 8 bits of input. The 74151 is a popular 16-pin DIP IC that implements an 8:1 mux. Note that the implementation below is an active-low.

To the right is the typical schematic of the 74151, 16-pin DIP IC. Vcc is on pin 16 and GND is on pin 8. Pins 5 and 6 are the outputs, the output on pin 6 is the inverted version of the output on pin 5. The enable is on pin 7.

8:1 Mux
Inputs				Output
Select			Enable
Sel<0>	Sel<1>	Sel<2>	EN	Q	Q
X	X	X	1	1	0
0	0	0	0	I<0>	I<0>
0	0	1	0	I<1>	I<1>
0	1	0	0	I<2>	I<2>
0	1	1	0	I<3>	I<3>
1	0	0	0	I<4>	I<4>
1	0	1	0	I<5>	I<5>
1	1	0	0	I<6>	I<6>
1	1	1	0	I<7>	I<7>

74151 IC 8:1 MUX

Tri-State Outputs

Some commercial multiplexers have tri-state outputs. When the EN input is LOW, instead of the output being forced into 0, it gets forced into a Hi-Z state.

See also

• choose function