Encoder and Decoder:

1. The Digital Language Barrier

 Computers only understand one language: Binary (1s and 0s).
 Humans understand many things: Numbers, letters, words, and actions (like pressing a button).
 How do we talk to each other?
o We need translators!

o Encoders and Decoders are the digital circuits that act as these translators.

 Example: Think of sending a secret message.

o Encoder: You take your message ("Attack at dawn") and turn it into a secret code (Ciphertext).

o Decoder: Your friend receives the code and turns it back into the original message.

The Encoder
An encoder is a digital combinational circuit that converts multiple input signals into a binary code. It typically
has one active input at a time and generates a binary output representing the position of that active input.
 The number of inputs is usually 2n, with n output lines.
 Inputs are usually active high, meaning high voltage represents an active signal.
 Encoders help convert parallel inputs into compact binary formats for processing.
 Encoders are useful in digital systems for data compression and efficient transmission.
 For example, a 4-to-2 encoder has four inputs and produces a 2-bit output code.
Slide 8: The 4-to-2 Line Encoder -
 It has:
o 4 Inputs: Representing 4 different events or buttons (I0, I1, I2, I3).

o 2 Outputs: The binary code representing which input was active (A, B).
4-to-2 Encoder - Truth Table
 This table shows how we compress 4 inputs down to 2 outputs.
 Assumption: Only one input can be active (HIGH) at a time.

Y3 Y2 Y1 Y0 A1 A0 Meaning (Binary Output)

0 0 0 1 0 0 Y0 is active -> Output "00"

0 0 1 0 0 1 Y1 is active -> Output "01"

0 1 0 0 1 0 Y2 is active -> Output "10"

1 0 0 0 1 1 Y3 is active -> Output "11"

 Notice: We don't output a 1 on a specific line. We output a binary number that tells us which line
was 1.
A1 = Y3 + Y2
A0 = Y3 + Y1

Circuit diagram:

8-to-3 Encoder: Block Diagram:

 Truth Table:

Y7 Y6 Y5 Y4 Y3 Y2 Y1 Y0 A2 A1 A0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0

0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1

0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1

Circuit Daigram:

A2 = Y7 + Y6 + Y5 + Y4
A1 = Y7 + Y6 + Y3 + Y2
A0 = Y7 + Y5 + Y3 + Y1
Slide 10: Encoder - Real-World Example
 Scenario: Your computer keyboard has over 100 keys. The computer doesn't have 100 separate wires
coming from it.
 How an encoder helps:
1. When you press the key 'g' , a circuit closes.
2. This acts as an input to a big Encoder chip.
3. The encoder's job is to answer: "Which key was pressed?".
 4. It instantly outputs a unique 8-bit binary number (a scan code) for the letter 'g'. For
example, 01100111.
5. This single 8-bit number travels down the keyboard cable to your computer, which then knows
you pressed 'g'.

2. The Decoder
A decoder is a combinational circuit that performs the reverse operation of an encoder, converting n input
lines into 2ⁿ output lines, with only one output active for each input combination.
What does it do?
o It decodes (translates) a binary number into a specific, unique output.

o Input: A small binary number (e.g., 10).

o Output: It "activates" one specific line out of many.

 Example: The Mailroom

o Imagine a mailroom in a large apartment building with 4 apartments (Apt 00, Apt 01, Apt 10, Apt
11).
o A package arrives with a room number in binary (e.g., 10).

o The mailroom clerk (the Decoder) looks at the binary number and puts the package in the
mailbox for only that apartment.

Slide 4: The 2-to-4 Line Decoder - The Workhorse

 This is the most common and simple decoder.
 It has:
o 2 Inputs: Representing a 2-bit binary number (let's call them A and B. A is the Most Significant
Bit, B is the Least Significant).
o 4 Outputs: One for each possible combination of the inputs (0 through 3). We name them Y0,
Y1, Y2, Y3.
o Enable Pin (E): Think of this as an ON/OFF switch for the whole decoder. If Enable is OFF, all
outputs are OFF. If Enable is ON, it works as described.
2-to-4 Decoder
-
Truth Table
 This table tells us everything we need to know. When Enable = 1 (ON):

E A B Y3 Y2 Y1 Y0 What it means

0 X X 0 0 0 0 Decoder is OFF

1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Input "00" selects Y0

1 0 1 0 0 1 0 Input "01" selects Y1

1 1 0 0 1 0 0 Input "10" selects Y2

1 1 1 1 0 0 0 Input "11" selects Y3

 Notice: For any given input, only one output is HIGH (1). The rest are LOW (0).

Y0=E⋅A’⋅B’ Y1=E⋅A’⋅B

Y2=E⋅A⋅B’ Y3=E⋅A⋅B
The operation of logic circuit of the 2 to 4 decoder is described as follows −
 When enable input (E) is inactive, i.e. set to 0, none of the AND gates will function.
 When enable input (E) is made active by setting it to 1, then the circuit works as explained below.
 When A = 0 and B = 0, the AND gate 1 becomes active and produces output Y0.
 When A = 0 and B = 1, the AND gate 2 becomes active and produces output Y1.
 When A = 1 and B = 0, the AND gate 3 becomes active and produces output Y2.
 When A = 1 and B = 1, the AND gate 4 becomes active and produces output Y3.
3 to 8 Decoder
Truth Table:

Inputs Outputs

E A B C Y7 Y6 Y5 Y4 Y3 Y2 Y1 Y0

0 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Y0=E.A’.B’.C’ Y1=E.A’.B’.C Y2=E.A’ .B.C’

Y3=E.A’.B.C Y4=E.A.B’.C’ Y5=E.A.B’.C
Y6=E.A.B.C’ Y7=E.A.B.C
Circuit diagram:
 When enable input (E) is inactive, i.e. set to 0, none of the AND gates will function.
 When enable input (E) is made active by setting it to 1, then the circuit works as described below.
 When A = 0, B = 0, and C = 0, the AND gate 1 becomes active and produces output Y0.
 When A = 0, B = 0, and C = 1, the AND gate 2 becomes active and produces output Y1.
 When A = 0, B = 1, and C = 0, the AND gate 3 becomes active and produces output Y2.
 When A = 0, B = 1, and C = 1, the AND gate 4 becomes active and produces output Y3.
 When A = 1, B = 0, and C = 0, the AND gate 5 becomes active and produces output Y4.
 When A = 1, B = 0, and C = 1, the AND gate 6 becomes active and produces output Y5.
 When A = 1, B = 1, and C = 0, the AND gate 7 becomes active and produces output Y6.
  When A = 1, B = 1, and C = 1, the AND gate 8 becomes active and produces output Y7.
Slide 6: Decoder - Real-World Example
 Scenario: You have a vending machine that sells 4 types of drinks. You press a button (1, 2, 3, or 4).
The machine needs to release the correct drink.
 How a decoder helps:
1. The button press is converted into a 2-bit binary number.
 Button 1 = 00
 Button 2 = 01
 Button 3 = 10
 Button 4 = 11
2. This binary number goes into the 2-to-4 Decoder.
3. The decoder's output (Y0, Y1, Y2, Y3) is connected to the release mechanism for each drink.
4. If you press Button 3 (10), only output Y2 goes HIGH, triggering the release mechanism for
Drink #3. The other drinks stay put.
Slide 11: A Small Problem & A Better Solution (Priority Encoder)
 Problem with our simple Encoder: What if someone presses two buttons at once? Our simple truth
table didn't account for this. It would get confused and give a wrong output.
 Solution: The Priority Encoder
o This is a smarter version. It has a built-in rule: "If multiple inputs are active, I will only pay
attention to the one with the highest priority."
o Usually, the highest-numbered input (e.g., I3) has the highest priority.

Slide 12: Summary - Decoder vs. Encoder

(Use a side-by-side comparison graphic)

Feature Decoder Encoder

Function Decodes / Unpacks Encodes / Packs

Input Small Binary Number One Active Line (among many)

Output One Active Line (among many) Small Binary Number

Analogy Mailroom Clerk Office Receptionist

Common Example 2-to-4 Line, 3-to-8 Line 4-to-2 Line, Priority Encoder

What it does Takes a code, tells you what it means Takes an event, gives you its code