What device translates binary input into the segment control signals for a seven-segment display?

What device translates binary input into the segment control signals for a seven-segment display?

• A. Decoder
• B. Encoder
• C. Demultiplexer
• D. Multiplexer

Answer: (A)

When driving a seven-segment display, you need a device that turns a binary value into the specific on/off pattern for the seven segments (and the optional decimal point). That role is fulfilled by a decoder. It takes the binary input and activates the appropriate segment lines so the correct digit appears. A BCD-to-seven-segment decoder is a common form of this, mapping each binary digit to the seven-segment pattern. The other devices do different jobs: an encoder compresses many inputs into a smaller code, a demultiplexer routes a single input to one of several outputs, and a multiplexer selects one of several inputs to pass through. None of them inherently produce the segment drive pattern from a binary digit like a decoder does.

When driving a seven-segment display, you need a device that turns a binary value into the specific on/off pattern for the seven segments (and the optional decimal point). That role is fulfilled by a decoder. It takes the binary input and activates the appropriate segment lines so the correct digit appears. A BCD-to-seven-segment decoder is a common form of this, mapping each binary digit to the seven-segment pattern. The other devices do different jobs: an encoder compresses many inputs into a smaller code, a demultiplexer routes a single input to one of several outputs, and a multiplexer selects one of several inputs to pass through. None of them inherently produce the segment drive pattern from a binary digit like a decoder does.