Theory and Applications: Multiplexer (MUX) sometimes called as Data selector, is a combinational logic circuit that selects one

of 2n inputs based on n select lines (selectors) that identify which input will be provided to the output, and only one output in one instance will be generated. A high resolution multiplexer can be created using small resolution multiplexers. A de-multiplexer is a combinational logic circuit which performs the reverse operation on the multiplexer. It has one input, n select lines and 2n outputs. Based on select lines, one of the outputs will be selected to take the data from input. Remaining output lines will be in their active low state. A decoder is a combinational logic circuit which takes n inputs and generates 2n outputs. For a particular sequence of inputs, a unique output line will be active, and the other output lines will be in their normal state for that instant.

Applications: Multiplexer can be used as parallel to series data converter. De-multiplexer can be used as series to parallel data converter. These are also used in communication networks for routing and switching between nodes.