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Multiplexer (MUX)
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Multiplexer
Typical Symbol (2:1 MUX)
mux21.svg
Functional
mux functional.gif
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 2N 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

Mux enable.svg

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)

Mux 2 1 equivalence.svg
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.

MUX21 using transmission gates.png

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:

Mux 4 1 using mux 2 1.svg

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

Q = Equation left-parenthesis upper A logical-and upper S overbar Subscript 0 Baseline logical-and upper S overbar Subscript 1 Baseline right-parenthesis logical-or left-parenthesis upper B logical-and upper S overbar Subscript 0 Baseline logical-and upper S 1 right-parenthesis logical-or left-parenthesis upper C logical-and upper S 0 logical-and upper S overbar Subscript 1 Baseline right-parenthesis logical-or left-parenthesis upper D logical-and upper S 0 logical-and upper S 1 right-parenthesis

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