Activity 2.3.

2 Seven-Segment Displays
Introduction
What do alarm clocks, cable TV converter boxes, home answering machines, and
inexpensive calculators all have in common? In addition to being built from electronics, many
also include seven-segment displays as part of their design.
There are two types of seven-segment displays: common cathode and common anode.
Understanding how these displays work and the differences between them is fundamental to
designing many different types of electronic devices.
In this activity you will learn how to use seven-segment displays to display both alpha and
numeric characters. You will also be introduced to the Seven-Segment Display Driver.

Equipment
● Circuit Design Software (CDS)
● Breadboard (DMS or DLB)
● #22 Gauge solid wire
● Integrated Circuits (74LS04 & 74LS32)
● Common Cathode Seven-Segment Display

Procedure
1. Let’s investigate what alpha-numeric characters we can display on a seven-segment
display.
Common Cathode Common Anode

© 2014 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Digital Electronics Activity 2.3.2 Seven-Segment Displays – Page 1
a. Using the CDS, enter the common cathode seven-segment display test circuit shown
below. Please note that the seven-segment display is a common cathode display.

b. For the seven switches (i.e., A through G), determine the settings required so that the
seven-segment display will display 0-9. Use the results to complete the table shown
below.

Display A B C D E F G

0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
2 1 1 0 1 1 0 1
3 1 1 1 1 0 0 1
4 0 1 1 0 0 1 1
5 1 0 1 1 0 1 1
6 1 1 1 1 1 0 1
7 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
9 1 1 1 1 0 1 1

© 2014 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Digital Electronics Activity 2.3.2 Seven-Segment Displays – Page 2
c. Using the seven SPDT switches (i.e., A thru G), determine at least ten alpha
characters that you could display using the seven-segment display. Don’t forget to
include lower case characters. Record your findings in the table shown below.
Displa
A B C D E F g
y
A 1 1 1 0 1 1 1
C 1 0 0 1 1 1 0
E 1 0 0 1 1 1 1
F 1 0 0 0 1 1 1
H 0 1 1 0 1 1 1
L 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
O 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
P 1 1 0 0 1 1 1
U 0 1 1 1 1 1 0
S 1 0 1 1 0 1 1

2. Now, let’s see how you can use a seven-segment display in a logic circuit.
a. Analyze the seven-segment display circuit shown below and complete the
display table shown. The display is a common cathode.
b. What message do you predict will be displayed?

J K Display
0 0 H
0 1 1
1 0 6
1 1 H
© 2014 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Digital Electronics Activity 2.3.2 Seven-Segment Displays – Page 3
 c. Simulate the circuit to see if you were correct with your analysis.

Seven-Segment Display Drivers

1. In a previous activity, you were introduced to the Digital Hex Display. The Digital Hex
Display translates four lines of binary into hexadecimal.

2. To display numbers on a seven-segment display, you will need to use a specific driver
that will translate four lines of binary into seven-segment numerical code.
● The 74LS48 SSD Driver is designed for the Common Cathode SSD.
● The 74LS47 SSD Driver is designed for the Common Anode SSD.
Simulate the circuit shown below.

74LS48N Seven-Segment Display Driver with Common Cathode SSD

a. If output QA is on “high”, is segment A on or off?
If QA is on high, segment A is off.
b. Enter 00002 to 11112 and note the number displayed on the SSD. How is it
different from what is displayed on the Digital Hex Display? 00002 is nothing
11112 is nothing

© 2014 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Digital Electronics Activity 2.3.2 Seven-Segment Displays – Page 4
3. Now let’s simulate the 74LS47N SSD Driver with Common Anode SSD.

74LS47N Seven-Segment Display Driver with Common Anode SSD

a. If output QA is on “high” is segment A on or off?
QA high, Segment A off
b. Enter 00002 to 11112 and note the number displayed on the SSD. What is the
major difference between a Common Cathode Display and a Common Anode
Display? 00002 is - 11112 is 8

4. What if you only had access to a Common Anode Seven-Segment Display with a
74LS48 SSD Driver? Could you modify the circuit to display the numbers correctly?

© 2014 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Digital Electronics Activity 2.3.2 Seven-Segment Displays – Page 5
 a. Simulate the modified circuit using a CA SSD and 74LS48 SSD Driver.

Conclusion
1. Complete the wiring of the seven-segment displays shown below so that they will
display your age. If you are 15, display a (1) on the common cathode display and a (5)
on the common anode display.

© 2014 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Digital Electronics Activity 2.3.2 Seven-Segment Displays – Page 6
2. List five words of three characters or more that you could spell out using a
seven-segment display. Don’t forget about lower-case characters. Be creative. Be
polite.
● HELLO

● FEEL

● CLIFF

● SELL

● CAP

3. Describe what you should look for if you designed a circuit with an SSD that
appears to work in simulation, but does not appear to be working when you create
the circuit. (Hint: it may actually be working)
The Display or wires may be damaged

© 2014 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Digital Electronics Activity 2.3.2 Seven-Segment Displays – Page 7