What is the difference between Decoder and Demultiplexer in Computer Architecture?

Decoder

A decoder is a combinational logic circuit that converts a code into a set of signals. A decoder circuit does accurately the reversal of encoding. It has several inputs and outputs, and it is generally used to modify coded inputs into coded outputs supported both of them are diverse from each other.

In simple methods, it is a device that interprets encoded data or information into its initial format. It decodes encoded information. Therefore, the input code usually has fewer bits than the bits in the output code. A decoder is used in the client interface in various output devices including monitors, printers, calculators, DVD players, etc.

Demultiplexer

A circuit that makes data on an individual line and sends the data on any of the 2 n possible output lines is known as a demultiplexer. Hence, a demultiplexer is known as a single-input multiple-output switch. The values of n selection lines rule the selection of a determined output line.

A demultiplexer is the reverse process of the multiplexer. This is a process of reconverting a signal including digital or analog signal flows back to the initial separate and independent signals.

The demultiplexer is only the reverse of the multiplexer, but it is not the opposite of the multiplexer. The opposite of multiplexer is known as inverse multiplexing, which divides one data stream into multiple associated data streams. The difference between inverse multiplexing and demultiplexing is, the output streams of demultiplexing are independent, whereas the output streams of inverse multiplexing are connected.

Let us see the comparison between Decoder and Demultiplexer