Maharashtra Board of Technical Education, Mumbai

GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC,
SOLAPUR

DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

ACADEMIC YEAR 2021-22

DIGITAL TECHNIQUES
(22320)
A
MICRO-PROJECT REPORT
ON

7 SEGMENT DISPLAY DECODER

Submitted by:

Roll No. Enrolment No. Student Name

80 2000150018 Pirjade Magdum Layakali

81 2000150060 Pore Somesh Ravindra

82 2000150063 Punjal Sharaneshwar Bharat

83 2000150031 Raut Prathamesh Jalindar

1
 CERTIFICATE
It is certified that this Micro-Project Report
7 SEGMENT DISPLAY DECODER
is the work of

Roll No. Enrolment No. Student Name

80 2000150018 Pirjade Magdum Layakali

81 2000150060 Pore Somesh Ravindra

82 2000150063 Punjal Sharaneshwar Bharat

83 2000150031 Raut Prathamesh Jalindar

The students of Semester Third, Subject Name – Digital Techniques

(DTE-22320) Diploma in Computer Technology, 2021-22.
This report is partial fulfillment for the award of the Micro-Project
Diploma in Computer Technology by MSBTE, Mumbai.

Guide Name – Mr. Udchan B. S.

Date & Sign –

HOD PRINCIPAL

2
 INDEX
Sr. No. Title Page No.
1. Acknowledgement 4
2. Abstract 5
3. Review of Fundamentals - 6
i) BCD Codes
ii) 7 segment display
iii) Decoder
4. BCD to 7 segment decoder - 9
i) Introduction
ii) Analysis
iii) Truth table
iv) K-map
v) Combinational Logic Circuit
5. IC 7447 14
6. Practical Working (Using Proteus) 16
7. Conclusion 17
8. References 18

3
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the accomplishment of this micro-project successfully, many people
have best owned upon me their blessings and heart-privileged support.
Primarily, I would like to express a special thanks of gratitude to the Principal
Sir of the Government Polytechnic, Solapur for giving this golden opportunity
with all the required facilities for completing this micro-project of our group.
I would like to extend my gratitude to our DTE subject teacher, Prof. B.
S. Udchan sir, whose valuable guidance has been the ones that helped us patch
this project and make it full proof success. Their suggestions and instructions
has served as the major contributor towards the completion of the micro-project.
I would also like to thank my parents who have helped with their valuable
suggestions and provided the required resources needed for the micro-project.
Lastly, I would like to thank my fellow group members for their contributions
and suggestions in various phases in completing the project.

ABSTRACT
As a student enrolled in the Government Polytechnic, Solapur, every
semester we require to do a micro-project on any one topic in the syllabus of the
respective subjects. Hence, our group has done a micro-project on BCD to 7-
segment display decoder for the subject Digital Techniques (22320).

4
 The micro-project starts by reviewing the basic concepts like BCD codes,
decoders and 7 segment displays, which are required for doing this project. Next
is the most important and main part of this micro-project which is the BCD to 7
segment display decoder. The construction, analysis, working, truth table, k-
map and the logic design is explained step-by-step to make the readers
understand it precisely.

The next part is IC 7447 which is used as a BCD to 7 segment display

decoder. The IC has an in-built combinational logic circuit consists of a total of
16 pins. Hence, instead of building a complex logic circuit for a decoder, we
can use this IC. The practical working of both the combinational logic circuit
and the IC 7447 is also given in this micro-project. At last, there are some
applications of this decoder.
Any suggestions for the improvement of this micro-project are sincerely
accepted.

REVIEW OF
FUNDAMENTALS
The basic concepts that are relevant for this micro-project are BCD codes,
7 segment display and decoders.

1. BCD CODES –
Binary coded decimal (BCD) is a system of writing numerals that assigns
a four-digit binary code to digits from 0 to 9 in a decimal (base-10) number. It is
also one of the process to convert decimal numbers to their binary equivalents.
In BCD, each digit in a decimal number is represented in the form of 4-bit or 8-

5
bit encoding (usually 4-bit is preferred). These are generally used in digital
displays where is the manipulation of data is quite a task.

BCD is a weighted code and the positional weights associated to binary

bits are 8-4-2-1, with 1 corresponding to LSB bit and 8 corresponding to MSB
bit. As BCD code represents each decimal digit in the form of 4-bits, it is
known as heavy weighted code.

Truth table of BCD codes –

Decimal Number BCD Code
0 0000
1 0001
2 0010
3 0011
4 0100
5 0101
6 0110
7 0111
8 1000
9 1001

2. SEVEN SEGMENT DISPLAY –

Seven segment displays are the output display device that
provide a way to display information in the form of image
or text or decimal numbers which is an alternative to the
more complex dot matrix displays. The seven segments are
arranged as a rectangle of two vertical segments on each side with
one horizontal segment on the top, middle, and bottom.
Each one of the seven LEDs in the display is given a positional segment
with one of its connection pins being brought straight out of the rectangular

6
plastic package. These individually LED pins are labelled from a through to g
representing each individual LED. The other LED pins are connected together
and wired to form a common pin.
So, by forward biasing the appropriate pins of the LED segments in a
particular order, some segments will be light and others will be dark allowing
the desired character pattern of the number to be generated on the display. This
then allows us to display each of the ten decimal digits 0 through to 9 on the
same 7-segment display.
The displays common pin is generally used to identify which type of 7-
segment display it is. As each LED has two connecting pins, one called the
“Anode” and the other called the “Cathode”, there are therefore two types of
LED 7-segment display called: Common Cathode (CC) and Common Anode
(CA).
In the common cathode display, all the cathode connections of the LED
segments are joined together to logic “0” or ground. The individual segments
are illuminated by application of a “HIGH”, or logic “1” signal. In the common
anode display, all the anode connections of the LED segments are joined
together to logic “1”. The individual segments are illuminated by applying a
ground, logic “0” or “LOW” signal.

3. DECODER –
Decoder is a combinational circuit that has ‘n’ input lines and maximum
of 2n output lines. One of these outputs will be active High based on the
combination of inputs present, when the decoder is enabled. That means
decoder detects a particular code. The outputs of the decoder are nothing but the
min terms of ‘n’ input variables lines, when it is enabled.
There are many types of decoders like 2 to 4 line decoder, 3 to 8 decoder,
4 to 16 line decoder, 5 to 32 line decoder, etc. Also, we can use demultiplexers
as decoders.

7
 BCD TO 7 SEGMENT
DECODER
Most often seven-segment displays are used to
display the digits in digital watches, calculators, clocks,
measuring instruments and digital counters, etc. However, to display the
characters and numbers seven-segment displays are most commonly used.
Mostly these displays are driven by the output stages of digital ICs, such as
latches and decade counters, etc.

But these outputs are in the form of 4-bit binary coded decimal (BCD),
and not suitable for directly driving the seven-segment displays. Hence, here
comes a display decoder which is used to convert a BCD code into a 7 segment
code. It generally has 4 input lines and 7 output lines. Further, we are going to
design a simple display decoder circuit using logic gates and also we will see its
practical working too.

The designing of BCD to seven segment display decoder circuit mainly

involves four steps namely analysis, truth table design, K-map and designing a
combinational logic circuit using logic gates. All these steps will be carried out
with the help of common cathode 7 segment display.

1. ANALYSIS –
This involves analysis of the common cathode 7-segment display. A 7-
segment display consists of an arrangement of LEDs in an ‘H’ form. A truth
table is constructed with the combination of inputs for each decimal number.

8
And as we know that, in common cathode display, the LED glows only when an
active high (1) input is applied to it.
For example, to display the number ‘1’ we need to provide active high (1)
input to LEDs b and c, and the rest of the LEDs will be provided active low (0)
input.

2. TRUTH TABLE –
The BCD inputs are 4 - A, B, C and D.
The 7 segment display output LEDs are 7 - a, b, c, d, e, f and g.

BCD INPUTS 7 SEGMENT OUTPUTS

Digit
D C B A a b c d e f g

0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0

0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0

0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1

0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1

0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1

0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1

0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1

9
 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0

1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1

Note:
 If we want to create truth table for common anode 7 segment display, then we
only have to interchange all 0’s and 1’s in the output side.
 Output for first combination of inputs (A, B, C and D) in truth table
corresponds to ‘0’ and the last combination corresponds to ‘9’. Similarly, rest
corresponds from 1 to 8 from top to bottom.
 BCD codes only range from 0 to 9, hence rest inputs from 10-15 are invalid
or Don’t Care inputs.

3. K - MAP –
K-Map (Karnaugh Map) is used to minimize the Boolean expressions
very easily without using any Boolean algebra theorems.

10
For segment a - For segment b -

AB/CD AB/CD
00 01 11 10 00 01 11 10
00 1 0 1 1 00 1 1 1 1
01 0 1 1 1 01 1 0 1 0
11 x x x x 11 x x x x
10 1 1 x x 10 1 1 x x

a = A + C + BD + BD b = B + C D + CD

For segment c - For segment d -

AB/CD AB/CD
00 01 11 10 00 01 11 10
00 1 1 1 0 00 1 0 1 1
01 1 1 1 1 01 0 1 0 1
11 x x x x 11 x x x x
10 1 1 x x 10 1 1 x x

c=B+ C +D d = A + BD + BC + CD + B CD

For segment e - For segment f -

AB/CD AB/CD
00 01 11 10 00 01 11 10
00 1 0 0 1 00 1 0 0 0
01 0 0 0 1 01 1 1 0 1
11 x x x x 11 x x x x
10 1 0 x x 10 1 1 x x

e = B D + CD f = A + BC + BD + C D

For segment g -

11
 AB/CD
00 01 11 10
00 0 0 1 1
01 1 1 0 1
11 x x x x
10 1 1 x x

g = A + B C + BC + C D

4. COMBINATIONAL LOGIC CIRCUIT –

Using K-map simplification technique, we have got an equation for each
output LED. Using these equations, we will draw a combinational logic circuit
for each output signal. Here’s the circuit.

12
 IC 7447
IC 7447 decodes BCD into 7 Segments, which means it accepts a binary
coded decimal or BCD Values as input and decodes into a pattern that drives a
7-segment for displaying digits 0 to 9, so its name is BCD to 7 segment
decoder. Its input is 4 lines BCD data and generates complements as output.
Hence, we can say that the whole combinational logic circuit is embedded in
this single IC chip.

IC 7447 PIN CONFIGURATION –

 A, B, C and D are BCD inputs.
 LT is Lamp test function which when
made active high, will light all the
segments regardless of the current 4-bit
input.
 BI/RBO is Blanking Input or Ripple
Blanking Output which is used to control
the lamp intensity.
 RBI is Ripple Blanking Input which is
used in multi-digit display and should be
connected to the RBO of the previous 7-segment display.
 GND is ground connection.
 a to g are 7 segment display outputs.
 VCC is Voltage Common Collector which supplies power to the IC.

13
CIRCUIT DESIGN –
The IC 7447 gives active low outputs which means that common anode 7
segment display is used along with it. The circuit consists of 4 bit BCD inputs,
IC 7447 and the 7 segment display of common anode type.

14
 PRACTICAL WORKING
Working of BCD to 7 segment display decoder:
1. Using combinational logic circuit –
(Tap on the image to see the output)

2. Using IC 7447 –
(Tap on the image to see the output)

15
 CONCLUSION
The main course outcome behind this micro-project was to Use Boolean
expressions and K-map to realize logic circuits and build simple combinational
logic circuit. Hence, after completing this micro-project, we think that this
course outcome is successfully achieved.

The 7 segment display has wide range of applications like in digital

calculators, electronic meters, digital clocks, odometers, digital clocks, clock
radios, etc. This micro-project provides a great deal of information about the
BCD to 7 segment display decoder. The step-by-step guide for the construction
and building the logic diagram for the decoder would truly make the readers
understand the decoder in an easy and precise way.

As this micro-project is prepared by making a group of students, we

learned to develop a good sense of coordination between our group members.
We also understood dividing a particular task into different parts, planning and
managing the time, helping our group members, strengthening our
understanding through group discussions and developing stronger
communication skills and responsibilities. Because of this group project, we
also understood the importance of communication among the group members.

16
 REFERENCES
 Book – Digital Techniques (22320), Nirali Prakashan
 www.google.com
 www.youtube.com
 www.roboelements.com
 www.geeksforgeeks.org
 en.wikipedia.org
 www.electronics-tutorials.ws
 www.electricaltechnology.org
 www.electrical4u.com

17