Explain the concept of a multiplexer MUX and it... - SS2 Physics Electronics Question

A multiplexer, or MUX, is a digital device that allows multiple inputs to be selectively routed to a single output based on control signals. It is often referred to as a data selector. A multiplexer consists of two main components: the data inputs and the control inputs. The control inputs determine which data input is passed through to the output.

The operation of a multiplexer can be explained using a 4-to-1 MUX as an example. A 4-to-1 MUX has four data inputs, one output, and two control inputs. The control inputs, typically denoted as S0 and S1, select one of the four data inputs to be routed to the output. The selection is based on the binary value of the control inputs.

A practical application of a multiplexer is in digital communication systems. For example, in a telephone system, a multiplexer is used to combine multiple voice signals from different callers into a single transmission line, allowing efficient use of the available bandwidth. The control inputs of the multiplexer determine the caller whose voice signal is being transmitted