INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY LIAQUAT UNIVERSITY OF

MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES JAMSHORO

Subject: Digital Logic and Design Year: 2nd, Semester3rd

LAB HANDOUT- 09

Name: Roll No: _____________________

Score: Signature of Tutor: Date: ________________

BINARY TO 7 SEGMENT CONVERSION

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this lesson the, student will be able to:

1. Describe the purpose of binary to Seven segment conversion circuits.

2. Describe the operation of binary to Seven segment conversion circuits.
3. Observe the operation of binary to seven segment conversation

PREREQUISITE
None

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

 Nida model 130E Test Console

 Nida Series 130 Experiment Card: PC130-109
 Nida Model 480/488 Multimeter or Equivalent
 Nida Model 2100 Logic Probe or Equivalent

OVERVIEW

This lesson introduces students to binary to seven segment conversion circuits. Devices covered in
the classroom discussion include decoders, drivers, and display devices. After the classroom
discussion, the student completes a laboratory assignment the familiarizes them with the operation
of seven segment conversion circuits.

INTRODUCTION

This lesson provides you with an opportunity to study an actual application of digital logic
technology. In the previous lesson, you Studied an example of encoding, or converting a decimal
number into binary. This lesson provides you with the opportunity to observe a Seven segment
conversion circuits. Decoder circuit, which converts a binary number into decimal.
 INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY LIAQUAT UNIVERSITY OF
MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES JAMSHORO

BINARY TO SEVEN SEGMENT CONVERSION

In order to binary numbers to be accurately converted to a decimal readout, at least three separates
functions are required. The typical converter circuitry consists of decoder, driver, and a display
device. The decoder converts or decodes the binary to decimal number. The driver amplifies the
output of the decoder and provides an interface between the decoder and the display device. The
display an easily understood method of viewing the converted the binary data in decimal form.

BINARY
PARALLEL DISPLAY
DECORDER DRIVER
INPUTS DEVICE

Fig#1. Binary to seven Segment Conversion Circuits

BINARY TO SEVEN SEGMENT DECODER

The binary to seven segment decoder receives inputs and converts the data to a form that properly
drives a seven segment display device. The data input is binary digits representing some count. The
decoder then converts the four binary lines into the seven digital signals required to drive the seven
segment display device.

SEVEN SEGMENT DRIVER

The driver maybe a separate integrated circuit or combined with the decoder as one compact chip.
In either case, the function and operation are identical. The drivers function is to amplify the output
of the decoder to the level required to drive the seven segment display device.

BINARY TO SEVEN SEGMENT DISPLAY DEVICE

The most popular display device is used today is seven segment LED illustrator in figure to. The
function of the device is to display a converter binary code that is easily understood for observation.
Even though many technicians and operators can convert from binary to decimal, a decimal readout
is highly desired able as is it easier to understand LED is an acronym for light emitting diode. An LED
is a semi conducting device that emit device when forward biased. It could be called as the solid
state light bulb. The advantage of an LED over a conventional Light bulb is that it is a very low
current device.
 INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY LIAQUAT UNIVERSITY OF
MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES JAMSHORO
LED’s can be installed in one of two ways. In the first method. The anodes are connected to VCC: the
input signal must a low to forward biased the diodes and caused them to light up. In the second
method, the cathodes are grounded and the input signal must be a high. For proper operation, LEDs
do not light up unless they are operated in a forward biased condition, with
the anode more positive than the cathode.

Figure 2 is a pictorial representation of the display device. the display is

actually constructed from PN junctions arranged in a figure 8 pattern.

By providing proper bias to selected junctions, decimal numbers can be

displayed by the device. Through the use of external circuitry already
described, the device displays binary numbers that have been converted to
decimal numbers. Fig 2. Seven Segment LED
Readout.
Each of the seven segments consists of one or two LEDs every segment is assigned a letter
designation, a through f as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3. Seven Segment Display Device

Figure 3 is a representation of how a seven segment readout functions. to display a 0, segments a, b,

c, d, e and f are activated by the decoder. (Refer to Figures 2 and 3) To display a 1, segment b and c
are activated. As you can see from Figure 3, all ten digits of the decimal number system can be
displayed using seven segment.

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT BINARY TO SEVEN SEGMENT

DISPLAY

The 7447 binary decoder / driver is a commonly used device

for converting binary to decimal. Figure 4 is the logic symbol
for the device.

The four input lines are connected to pins 1 ,2 ,6 and 7.

through a complex combinational circuit, the four inputs are
decoded to seven outputs, a through g (pins 9 through 15.
The circuitry inside the chip is very similar to the circuitry

Fig 4. BCD to Decimal Decoder/Driver

 INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY LIAQUAT UNIVERSITY OF
MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES JAMSHORO
used in the decimal to BCD encoder that you studied in the previous lesson. Seven NOR gates are
used to activate the low a through g outputs. Each NOR gate has multiple inputs that are gated. the
decoder activates the individual outputs according to the binary number that is input on A, B, C and
D.

Also note that the a through g outputs are low activated. This required that the display device
connect the outputs to the cathode of the LEDs. the anodes, therefore, are connected to +5 V. the
7448 IC is identical to the 7447 except it uses active HIGH outputs.

Pin 3, labeled LT. is the lamp Test input. When a LOW is applied, all outputs a through g are
activated. Using the input is a quick way to determine if any LEDs in the display device are burned
out.

The BI/RBO, pin 4, is an input or output pin. BI stands for blanking input. As an input, when LOW, all
a through g outputs are set HIGH. This blanks the display device, causing each segment in the display
to be extinguished. As an output, the BI/RBO signal is used with the RBI input on pin 5. RBO stands
for Ripple Blanking Output and RBI stands for Ripple Blanking Input, Ripple means connecting the
decoders in series to display more than one digit decimal numbers. A LOW applied to RBI blanks the
decoder and sets BI/RBO to LOW. By connecting the BI/RBO output to RBI inputs of other encoders,
all encoders will be blanked. This allows one signal from an external circuit to blank all displays.
Remember, even a simple digital clock has at least 4 displays which require 4 decoder circuits (2 for
hour and 2 for minutes).

Another use of the blanking inputs is to blink the display. By applying a pulsating signal, the encoder
will first blank the display (input LOW) and then allow the display to illuminate (input HIGH). You
have probably seen the display on a digital clock blinking, telling you that power had been lost
temporarily.

EXPERIMENT

This experiment gives you the opportunity to observe the operation of a binary to decimal seven
segment conversion circuit, you will use visual observation and a multi-meter or logic probe to verify
normal circuit conditions. In this experiment, you will:

 Compare binary inputs to decimal readouts.

 Measure and verify the voltage in a 7447 seven segment decoder for all readout conditions
 Develop a truth table for a seven segment decoder.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

 Test console
 Pc 130-109
 Multi-meter
 Logic probes
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PREPARATION

Pick up and examine the PC 130-109 experiment card, Notice that the switches simulating the binary
inputs number are located on the left side of the card. The combined decoder /driver chip, IC1, is
located in the center of the card.

The display device is located on the right side of the card. In between the LED display and IC1 is a
row of test points, A through G. These corresponded to the a through g outputs of decoder. The
limiting resistors are located along the top of the card. All measurements are to be taken from the
test points. Failure to do so may results in erroneous values.

PROCEDURE

1. Set both SUPPLY controls to OFF. Turn the CONSOLE POWER switch to ON. Insert PC130-109 into
the PC2 connectors. Set the POSITIVE SUPPLY voltage to 5.
2. Set PC130-109 switches S1 through S4 to LOGIC0(left) and set the PC2 DC POWER switch to ON.
3. Figure 5 represent the circuit established in step 1 and 2. The binary inputs to the 7447 are driven
by logic switches S1 through S4. The seven segment outputs are connected to the readout through
330 ohms current limiting resistors. If an output of the decoder switches LOW, the appropriate LED
segment will active.

Figure 5. PC130-109 Circuit

4.the 7447 is an active HIGH INPUT / ACTIVE LOW OUTPUT device. This means that the inputs must be a
logic HIGH to cause a LOW input, which will activate a segment of the display device. in “bubble logic”
terms, the IC is “looking” for a HIGH input to cause a pattern of LOW outputs. With S1 through S4 set
LOW, a binary 0 is present on the decoder input.

As a result, a numeric 0 should appeared on the readout. For each combination of S1and S4 in Table 1,
measure the A through G test points on PC 130-109. Record the result in Table 1 using the terms 1 and
0. In the SEGMENT PATTERN column, sketch the readout indications and the label the segments that are
illuminated.
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Table 1. Truth Table for a 7447 Seven Segment Decoder

INPUTS OUTPUTS SEGMENT

S4 S3 S2 S1 a b c d e f g PATTERN

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

5.Pin 3 of the 7447 is a lamp Test (LT) input. If this pin is grounded, all output lines a through g are
switched to ground, causing every segment of the readout to light up. Notice on Figure 4, abbreviation
LT, [ which is read LT(NOT)], is indicated at pin 3. This abbreviation is called a MNEMONIC.

The rules of mnemonics are simple. Each letter is the first letter of a word. The bar above the letter
indicates a logic 0 level; no bar above the letter indicates a logic 1 level. Based on these simple rules, LT
translates as: A LOGIC “0” ON THE LAMP TEST INPUT ACTIVATES THE LAMP TEST FUNCTION.

Depress S5 and observe the readout. Place the input switches in various positions with S5 2depressed.

 Does LT low activate all segment of the readouts? Yes____ No______

 Does LT low activate 1 2 4 and 8 BCD input settings? Yes____ No______

6. Set PC130-109 switches S1 through S4 to established a decimal 8 on the display readout. Using the
DC voltmeter, measure the DC voltage across each 330 ohm limiting resistors. The order of
measurement does not matter.

Assume the left hand resistor is for segment a and progress to the right. Record the results in the
SEGMENT LIMITING RESISTOR VOLTAGE (Ers) row of Table 2.
 INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY LIAQUAT UNIVERSITY OF
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7. For each Ers measurement in table 2. subtract the Ers value from +5 V. This will be the voltage
across each segment LED. Record the results in the SEGMENT LED VOLTAGE (+5V-Ers ) row of
table 2.

Table 2. Voltage and Current in a Seven Segment Readout with All Segments Activated

SEGMENT

a b c d e f g
SEGMENT LIMITING
RESISTOR
VOLTAGE(ERS) V
SEGMENT LED
VOLTAGE
(+5 V.ERS) V
SEGMENT CURRENT
(ERS/330 OHMS)
mA

8. Calculate the current flow through each limiting resistors. (The Limiting resistor and the LED are
in series; therefore, the current through the limiting resistors is the current through the LED)
Record your results in the bottom row of Table2.

The maximum current that a 7447 output can supply is 40 mA .

 In each segment current of table 2 is less than maximum?

Yes_____No______

9. Set both SUPPLY controls to OFF. Turn the CONSOLE POWER switch to OFF.

10. Return all equipment to its proper storage location.

ANALYSIS

During this experiment, you have observed the operation of a binary to seven segment conversion
circuit. you should remember several major and important points.
 The seven segment conversion circuit easily converts binary numbers to decimal.
 I f an IC loses ground or Vcc . it completely fails to operate.
 A failure in the driver or converter can cause the display device to give the appearance of
failure.
 INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY LIAQUAT UNIVERSITY OF
MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES JAMSHORO

SUMMARY

Here are few main points from the lesson that you should remember.

 To convert binary numbers to a decimal readout, at least three separate functions are
required: a decoder, driver, and display device.
 A decoder converts or decodes the binary numbers to decimal numbers.
 A driver amplifies the output of the decoder and provides an interface between the
decoder and display device.
 The display device provides an easily understood method of viewing the converted
binary data in a decimal form.
 The most popular display device is the LED.
 An LED is a semiconductor device that emits light when forward biased.

INSTRUCTIONS:

 Complete your lab reports neatly.

 All data must be commented appropriately and included in the file submitted.
 Handouts are required to be submitted by the next lab.