Transcoding circuits:

The next set of combinational circuits are responsible for the transcoding operations such as the
encoders, decoders.
2.4.7. Encoders
An encoder is a combinational circuit with 2n inputs and n outputs. Only one input can be active
(logic high) at a time and the binary code equivalent to the position of this input is produced by the
outputs. It is important to keep in mind that only one input is allowed at a time and other inputs are
0. In other words, we can say that encoder encodes 2n input line with n bits.

2n inputs
N outputs

The binary code of

the input

Example:
In order to understand the functionality of an encoder let us design a 4 x 2 encoder (4 inputs and
2 outputs) as illustrated in the following figure:

I0
2 outputs
22 inputs

I1 O0
I2 O1
I3 The binary code of
the input

The truth table for the 4x2 encoder is:

To explain this truth table and the functionality of the encoder I3 I2 I1 I0 O1 O0
in general, let us take the first line. Only I0 is 1, which is the 0 0 0 0 x x
first input that has an index 0, so the output should represent 0 0 0 1 0 0
the binary code of the input which binary for 0 so O0 is 0 and 0 0 1 0 0 1
O1 is also 0. 0 1 0 0 1 0
1 0 0 0 1 1
Let us explain the third line, where only I2 is 1. The output is
Other combinations x x
the binary code for the input with index 2 so O0 is 0 and O1 is 1
and so on.
Notice that we have some cases that are not allowed, so we refer to them as unknowns
(don’t cares). The k-maps for the system is

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 I1 I0 00 01 11 10 I1 I0 00 01 11 10
I3 I2 I3 I2
00 x 0 x 0 00 x 0 x 1
01 1 x x x 01 0 x x x
11 x x x x 11 x x x x
10 1 x x x 10 1 x x x

O1 = 𝐼2 + 𝐼3 O0 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼3
The logic expressions for this system are:
O0 is 1 if I2 = 1 OR I3 = 1
O1 is 1 if I0 = 1 OR I1 = 1
The logic circuit is

2.4.7.1 Other types of encoders

There exists other types of encoder such as the octal to binary
encoder using (8 to 3 encoders) and decimal to BCD encoders.
With the 8 to 3 encoder can be considered as an octal to binary converter, where we have 8 inputs
(0-7) and 3 outputs. Each input will correspond to an octal digit and the three outputs correspond
to the binary code.
Here is the truth table:
I7 I6 I5 I4 I3 I2 I1 I0 O2 O1 O0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
The logical expressions for the outputs are:
O2 = I4 + I5 + I6 + I7
O1 = I2 + I3 + I6 + I7
O0 = I1 + I3 + I5 + I7
Here is the logic diagram

Similarly, a decimal to BCD encoder can be achieved by using a 16 to 4 encoder, but only
considering 10 inputs out of the 16 available inputs (because in decimal we have numbers from 0
to 9). Then each input when activated will give an output the correspond to the BCD code.
Here is the truth table:

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 I9 I8 I7 I6 I5 I4 I3 I2 I1 I0 O3 O2 O1 O0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

The logic expressions are:

O3 = I9 + I8
O2 = I4 + I5 + I6 + I7
O1 = I2 + I3 + I6 + I7
O0 = I1 + I3 + I5 + I7 + I9
The logic diagram is:
The same 16 to 4 encoder can be used as a hexadecimal to binary converter and this time using
all inputs not just 10 as in the case of decimal to binary.
Important note about the disadvantages of encoders:
If we activate Inputs I2 and I1 simultaneously (at the same time), both outputs O0 and O1 are 1
which doesn’t correspond to any of the inputs and that is wrong. Additionally, if all inputs are low,
then the circuit may give all zeros at the outputs, which is also incorrect.
To solve these issue, we use the priority encoder in which it produces the output that belongs to the
bigger input (it priorities the higher input). In the case we mentioned, the output will be 10 that
corresponds to input I2.

2.4.8. Priority encoder.

This type of encoder sets an order of priority between the inputs. For pure binary coding, the
priority encoder gives priority to the input with the highest weight. To further understand this, let
us have a look at the truth table of the priority encoder with four inputs and 2 outputs encoder.

I3 I2 I1 I0 O1 O0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0 0
0 0 1 0 0 1
0 0 1 1 0 1
0 1 0 0 1 0
0 1 0 1 1 0
0 1 1 0 1 0
0 1 1 1 1 0
1 0 0 0 1 1

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 1 0 0 1 1 1
1 0 1 0 1 1
1 0 1 1 1 1
1 1 0 0 1 1
1 1 0 1 1 1
1 1 1 0 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1

In a shorter version of this truth table, we get:

I3 I2 I1 I0 O1 O0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0 0
0 0 1 x 0 1
0 1 x x 1 0
1 x x x 1 1

In order to get the logic expression let us use the k-maps for both outputs:

I1 I0 00 01 11 10 I1 I0 00 01 11 10
I3 I2 I3 I2
00 0 0 1 1 00 0 0 0 0
01 0 0 0 0 01 1 1 1 1
11 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1
10 1 1 1 1 10 1 1 1 1

O0 = 𝐼3 + 𝐼̅2 𝐼1 O1 = 𝐼3 + 𝐼2
And the logic circuit for a 4x2 priority encoder is:

Also, to solve the problem of when no input is activated the output gives zero which is incorrect,
the priority encoder sometime include an additional output that is always activated for all valid
inputs and is 0 if all inputs are zero to confirm the situation.

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The modified truth table for this priority encoder is:
I3 I2 I1 I0 O1 O0 V
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 0 0 1
0 0 1 x 0 1 1
0 1 x x 1 0 1
1 x x x 1 1 1
And the modified logic circuit is:

Summary and comparison:

An encoder’s primary function involves converting symbols or numerical values into a coded
format, a process known as encoding. In the case of a priority encoder, it incorporates a priority
function, enabling it to generate an output that corresponds to the input with the highest order of
priority.
Encoders and priority encoders are usually found in remote controls, elevator systems, digital
thermometers, ATMs, keyboards, keypad entry systems and more.

2.4.9. Decoders
A decoder is a combinational circuit that has N inputs and maximum of 2N outputs such that
outputs are ≤ 2N. It takes an input code and produces an output based on that code. It converts
coded information into a more understandable format. It is usually used in digital machines to
convert from binary codes and activate a specific output that corresponds to the decimal value of
the input combinations. 2n
outputs
N
inputs
The binary
code of the
E

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In order to understand the functionality of a decoder, let us take
the example of a decoder with 2 inputs and 4 outputs. E stands
for enable which when set to 0, the decoder gives all zeros no
matter what the input is (it is disabled), and when set to 1, the
decoder functions (it is enabled).
E I1 I0 O3 O2 O1 O0
0 x x 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0 0 1
1 0 1 0 0 1 0
1 1 0 0 1 0 0
1 1 1 1 0 0 0

From the truth table we can find the logic expressions of the outputs as follows:
O0 = 𝐸𝐼̅1 𝐼̅0 O1 = 𝐸𝐼̅1 𝐼0 O2 = 𝐸𝐼1 𝐼̅0 O3 = 𝐸𝐼1 𝐼0
And the logic circuit for this decoder is:

As an additional example, let us take the 3x8 decoder (active high), with 3 inputs and 23 = 8
outputs.
E I2 I1 I0 O0 O1 O2 O3 O4 O5 O6 O7 The
0 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
truth table is: 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
The logic expressions are:
𝑂0 = 𝐸𝐼̅2 𝐼̅1 𝐼̅0
𝑂1 = 𝐸𝐼̅2 𝐼̅1 𝐼0
𝑂2 = 𝐸𝐼̅2 𝐼1 𝐼̅0
𝑂3 = 𝐸𝐼̅2 𝐼1 𝐼0
𝑂4 = 𝐸𝐼2 𝐼̅1 𝐼̅0
𝑂5 = 𝐸𝐼2 𝐼̅1 𝐼0
𝑂6 = 𝐸𝐼2 𝐼1 𝐼̅0
𝑂7 = 𝐸𝐼2 𝐼1 𝐼0
Decoders can be used as code converters where an input code corresponds to an output code
(binary-octal, binary decimal…etc.) or as an output selector where only one output among all
outputs can be activated at a time.

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They are also used in automatic washing machines in which the operation during the washing
cycle is selected using a decoder as follows:

One last example is the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) in the computer. A decoder is used to choose
among the different arithmetic and logic operation will executed.

2.4.9.1 Implementation of higher order decoders using lower order decoders

It is possible to implement higher order decoder using lower order ones as in the following
example.

Example:
Implement a 3 to 8 decoder using 2 to 4 decoders.
Solution:
We know that a 2 to 4 decoder has 2 inputs and 4 outputs and a 3 to 8 has 3 inputs and 8 outputs.
The number of lower order decoders required to implement higher order decoders is found
according to the following expression:
𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠
𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑟
=
𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑟
In our case it is: 8/4 = 2 (2 to 4 decoders at the output side)

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As for the inputs, we have two inputs only per decoder, so we need to benefit from the enable pin
as well and use as an input. (LSB inputs used as decoder inputs and MSB input used with the
enable to select the active decoder)
So here is the arrangement:
Inputs A0 and A1 are applied to both decoders and input A2 is used as an enable to choose which
decoder to activate and get the right output from.

A2 A1 A0 Y0 Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 Y7
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 to 4 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
decoder 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2 to 4 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
decoder 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Let us see some cases for more understanding:

 case 000: here A2 will be 1 after the inverter so the bottom the decoder is enabled, and A1
= A0 = 0 so Y0 is high, the top decoder is disabled.
 case 010: here again A2 will be 1 after the inverter so the bottom the decoder is enabled,
and A1 = 1, A0 = 0 so Y2 is high
 case 100: here A2 is 1 and 0 after the inverter so the top the decoder is enabled, and A1 =
A0 = 0 so Y4 is high, the bottom decoder is disabled.
 case 110: here again A2 is 1 so the top the decoder is enabled, and A1 = 1, A0 = 0 so Y6
is high
Using the same idea, we can implement a 4 to 16 decoder using a 3 to 8 decoder as follows:

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Example:
Implement a 4 to 16 decoder using 2 to 4 decoders
Solution:
for a start we need 16/4 = 4 (2 to 4 decoders) to get all 16 outputs, but also we need an extra 2 to 4
decoder to control which decoder gives the required output and its output will be connected to the
enable of the four 2 to 4 decoders.
So A and B will be 0 for the first input combinations so decoder
D5 will have the first output set 1 and hence decoder D activated
for four inputs cases where C and D will change states to get
outputs Y0 to Y3 one after one. Same goes for the remaining
states.
The truth table for a 4 to 16 decoder is:

2 to 4
Decoder
D1

2 to 4
Decoder
D2

2 to 4
Decoder
D3

2 to 4
Decoder
D4

2.4.9.2. Implementation of other circuits using decoders

We can also use decoders to implement other circuits such as the adder and more.
Example:
Realize the function 𝑓(𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐) = ∑ 𝑚(0,1,2,7) using a decoder
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Solution:
We know that with decoders, the output that corresponds the binary code of the input is activated.
The minterms given in the question corresponds to the cases where the output of the function is 1.
So with the decoder, we need to connect only the outputs that corresponds to the minterms. The
decoder that we can use is a 3x8 decoder because as you can see we three inputs. Then the
outputs of the decoders are all ORed.
The truth table for this function is: A B C F
The logic expression is: 0 0 0 1
𝐹 = 𝐴̅𝐵̅ 𝐶̅ + 𝐴̅𝐵̅ 𝐶 + 𝐴̅𝐵𝐶̅ + 𝐴𝐵𝐶 0 0 1 1
The logic circuit is 0 1 0 1
0 1 1 0
1 0 0 0
1 0 1 0
1 1 0 0
1 1 1 1

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