1.

Obtain a logic data book and list down all the available multiplexers, decoders, and
decoder/demultiplexers.

Answer: The following list of 74 series multiplexers, decoders, and decoder/demultiplexers was
extracted from available National Semiconductor resources and is not intended to be exhaustive. 74137:
3-to-8 decoder/demultiplexer, 74150: 16-1 multiplexer, 74237: 3-8 decoder/demultiplexer, 74250: 16-1
multiplexer.

2. Show how two 74251 8-to-1 line multiplexers may be connected to implement a 16-to-1 MUX.

Answer: A 16-to-1 multiplexer can be created by connecting the outputs of two 8-to-1 multiplexers to a
2-to-1 multiplexer and using the data line of the 2-to-1 multiplexer as the most significant bit:

Figure 1. 16-to-1 multiplexer using two 8-to-1 multiplexers.

Source: University of Windsor

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the MUX and the decoder methods over one another?

Answer: The multiplexer method requires all input pins to be set to the appropriate logic state while the
decoder method does not. However, the decoder method requires external gates in order to encode all
outputs into a single function.

4. Describe how a combinational circuit may be implemented using decoders given the minterm list
form of two functions.

Answer: Given a decoder with active HIGH data outputs, all pins corresponding to a minterm can be
connected as inputs to an OR gate. Given a decoder with active LOW data outputs, all pins
corresponding to a minterm can be connected as inputs to an NAND gate.

5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the MUX and the decoder methods over conventional
methods of implementing a function using logic gates?

Answer: The MUX and the decoder methods allow for the direct construction of a combinational logic
assertion from the minterm/maxterm list without simplification, thereby reducing circuit complexity in
most cases. In cases where the logic design is simple enough, these methods may not be necessary.
Also, these devices are usually only available with up to 8 data outputs.