Digital Logic Design

(EE-223)
DE-43 Mechatronics
Syndicate – A

Lab Title: Introduction to SSD and BCD to SSD Decoder.

Week No: 08

Names of Group Members:

1. NS Ahyan Ahmed Reg # 370288
2. GC Saad Nawaz Reg # 398392
3. GC Talha Ahmed Zakir Reg # 398395

Submitted to: LE Adnan Shujah

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Introduction:
SSD (Seven Segment Display):
As an alternative to more complicated dot-matrix displays, a seven-segment
display (SSD) or seven-segment indication is a type of electronic display device for
displaying decimal numerals. Digital clocks, electronic metres, simple calculators, and
other electronic devices that display numerical data frequently make use of this
display.
The segments of a 7-segments display are referred to by the letters A to G,
where the optimal DP decimal point (an “eighth segment”) is used for the display of
non-integers.

Figure 1: Seven Segment Display (SSD)

There are two types of SSD

 Common Cathode
 Common Anode
Common Cathode Type:
In this type of display all cathodes of the seven LEDs are connected together to
the ground or –Vcc (hence, common cathode) and LED displays digits when some
‘HIGH’ signal is supplied to the individual anodes.

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 Figure 2: Common Cathode pin configuration

Common Anode Type:

In this type of display all cathodes of seven LEDs are connected together to
a battery or +Vcc and LED displays digits when some ‘LOW’ signal is supplied to the
individual cathodes.

Figure 3: Common Anode pin configuration

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BCD to SSD Decoder/Driver:
Since seven segment display does not work by directly supplying voltage to
different segments of LEDs. First, our decimal number is changed to its BCD
equivalent signal then BCD to seven segment decoder converts that signals to the
form which is fed to seven segment display.

Figure 4: BCD to SSD Decoder- logic diagram and truth table

For this there are two ICs, each of them having different specifications.
IC-74LS48:
The first IC 74LS48 is a BCD to SSD Decoder which is Common Cathode type and
Active High O/P, therefore it consists of AND gates.

Figure 3: 74LS48 Pin Configuration

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IC-74LS47:
Another IC is IC 74LS47, which is somewhat different to the previous IC. It is a
Common Anode and Active Low O/P, therefore consisting of NAND gates.

Figure 4: 74LS47 Pin Configuration

Figure 5: 74LS47 Pin Concept for understanding

Lamp Test:
Lamp test is a built in function to test the LED segments. Pin 3 is the Lamp test
(LT). In this condition, all elements will glow. Pin 4 is the ripple blanking output
(RBO). Pin 5 is the ripple blanking input (RBI).
Steps for Lamp test:

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 1. RBI and RBO are held high i.e short with the Vcc source.
2. LT is kept at low by connecting it to the ground
3. All the outputs will be set to high in case of Common Cathode and to low in
case of Common Anode.
4. As a result all the lights of SSD will glow.
5. When working with switches i.e Inputs use the following configuration for both
common anode and common cathode

Figure 6: Pin configuration for working with four inputs.

Difference between Active High and Active Low Decoder:

Active High Decoder illuminates the bulb when the switch is on i.e when
output is high. Whereas Active low is its opposite. It illuminates the bulb when the
switch is off.

Lab Tasks:
Task :
Objective:
Apply Lamp test to test the working of SSD and display any number from 0 to 9
on both common anode and common cathode SSD.

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Circuit Diagrams:

Figure 7: Lamp test on Common Anode using 74LS47

.
Figure 8: Displaying 4 on Common Anode using 74LS47

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The BCD for 4 is 0100. As stated before common anode will glow when 0
hence &-segment code of 4 will be 1001100 representing abcdefg respectively
on SSD.

Figure 9: LT on Common Cathode using 74LS48 (Upper light not displaying-fault in ssd)

Figure 9: Displaying 9 on common cathode ssd using 74LS48

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BCD of 9 is 1001.As we know that Common Cathode shows light on High hence its
equivalent 7-segment code will be 1111011.

Conclusion:
In this lab we were introduced to the seven segment display, how it works and
how it is implemented in a circuit and used to see values. Each of these are
thoroughly explained and discussed upon. We are learn the structure and working of
the seven segment display and learn what different represent i.e. Lamp Test, ripple
blanking output etc. It helps us understand the purpose of the SSD and use it in
future labs better.

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