BinKey

cd4026be-decade-counter-7segment-driver

4 min read

Important Note

This entire repo was AI created - including all of the data within. The intent was to A) help me with my personal electronics inventory; and B) see how I could use AI to make that process a bit easier. DO NOT TRUST!

CD4026BE Decade Counter with 7-Segment Display Driver

Details

  • Location: Cabinet-3, Bin 34, Section B
  • Category: Logic Gates
  • Quantity: 4
  • Status: Available
  • Package: 16-pin DIP (Dual In-line Package)
  • Datasheet: CD4026B Datasheet

Description

The CD4026BE is a CMOS Decade Counter/Divider with Decoded 7-Segment Display Outputs and Display Enable from Texas Instruments. This versatile IC combines a decade counter (0-9) with a 7-segment display decoder/driver, making it ideal for digital counting applications with direct display capability.

Key Features

  • Decade Counter: Counts from 0 to 9 in decimal
  • 7-Segment Decoder: Direct drive capability for 7-segment displays
  • Display Enable: Built-in display blanking control
  • Carry Output: For cascading multiple counters
  • Reset Input: Asynchronous reset to zero
  • Clock Input: Positive edge triggered
  • CMOS Technology: Low power consumption and high noise immunity
  • Wide Supply Range: 3V to 18V operation

Technical Specifications

  • Package: 16-pin DIP (0.3” width)
  • Technology: CMOS (4000B Series)
  • Logic Type: Decade Counter with 7-Segment Driver
  • Supply Voltage: 3V - 18V (typical 5V operation)
  • Count Rate: Up to 16 MHz
  • Propagation Delay: Typically 250ns at 5V
  • Operating Temperature: -55°C to +125°C
  • Power Dissipation: Very low static power consumption
  • Output Drive: Can directly drive 7-segment LED displays

Typical Pinout (DIP-16)

    CD4026BE
    ┌─────────────┐
CLK │1          16│ VDD
DIS │2          15│ f
RST │3          14│ g
CO  │4          13│ a
UNK │5          12│ b
UNK │6          11│ c
UNK │7          10│ d
VSS │8           9│ e
    └─────────────┘

Pin Descriptions

  • VDD (Pin 16): Positive supply voltage (+3V to +18V)
  • VSS (Pin 8): Ground (0V)
  • CLK (Pin 1): Clock input (positive edge triggered)
  • DIS (Pin 2): Display enable (active high blanks display)
  • RST (Pin 3): Reset input (active high resets counter to 0)
  • CO (Pin 4): Carry output (goes high on count 9, low on count 0)
  • a-g (Pins 13,12,11,10,9,15,14): 7-segment display outputs
  • Pins 5,6,7: Not connected or internal use

7-Segment Display Outputs

The IC provides direct outputs for a common-cathode 7-segment display:

    a
   ---
f |   | b
   -g-
e |   | c
   ---
    d

Segment Mapping

  • a (Pin 13): Top horizontal segment
  • b (Pin 12): Top right vertical segment
  • c (Pin 11): Bottom right vertical segment
  • d (Pin 10): Bottom horizontal segment
  • e (Pin 9): Bottom left vertical segment
  • f (Pin 15): Top left vertical segment
  • g (Pin 14): Middle horizontal segment

Operation

Basic Counter Operation

  1. Clock Input: Each positive edge increments the counter
  2. Count Sequence: 0 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 0
  3. Carry Output: Pulses high during count 9, returns low on count 0
  4. Reset: Asynchronous reset to count 0 when RST is high

Display Control

  • Normal Operation: DIS pin low, display shows current count
  • Blanked Display: DIS pin high, all segments off (counter continues)
  • Direct Drive: Outputs can directly drive LED segments with current limiting resistors

Applications

  • Digital Counters: Event counting, frequency division
  • Digital Clocks: Seconds, minutes display
  • Scoreboards: Sports scoring systems
  • Production Counters: Manufacturing line counting
  • Frequency Meters: Digital frequency measurement
  • Educational Projects: Learning digital logic and displays
  • Timer Circuits: Visual countdown timers
  • Process Control: Step counting in automated systems

Circuit Examples

Basic Single Digit Counter

  • Connect CLK to pulse source (555 timer, switch, etc.)
  • Connect a-g outputs to 7-segment display through current limiting resistors
  • Connect VDD to +5V, VSS to ground
  • Use RST for manual reset

Multi-Digit Counter

  • Cascade multiple CD4026BE ICs
  • Connect CO of first IC to CLK of second IC
  • Each IC drives its own 7-segment display
  • Common reset and power connections

Design Considerations

  • Current Limiting: Use resistors (220Ω-470Ω) between outputs and LED segments
  • Display Type: Designed for common-cathode 7-segment displays
  • Power Supply: Bypass capacitors recommended near VDD/VSS pins
  • Clock Input: Ensure clean clock edges for reliable counting
  • Reset Circuit: Can use RC circuit for power-on reset

Advantages

  • All-in-One: Counter and display driver in single package
  • Easy Interface: Direct connection to 7-segment displays
  • Cascadable: Multiple ICs for multi-digit displays
  • Low Power: CMOS technology for battery applications
  • Wide Voltage Range: Flexible power supply requirements

Tags

logic-gate, counter, decade-counter, 7-segment-driver, display-driver, cmos, texas-instruments, dip-16 cabinet-3 bin-34 section-b status-available

Notes

The CD4026BE is part of the 4000B series CMOS logic family and remains popular for:

  • Educational electronics projects
  • Digital clock and counter circuits
  • Hobby projects requiring simple counting displays
  • Replacement in vintage equipment

Modern alternatives include:

  • 74HC4026: High-speed CMOS version
  • 74HC4511: BCD to 7-segment decoder/driver
  • MAX7219: Serial-interface LED display driver
  • TM1637: 4-digit 7-segment display driver with I2C

The CD4026BE is particularly valued for its simplicity - requiring minimal external components to create a functional digital counter with display. It’s an excellent choice for beginners learning digital electronics and for applications where a simple, reliable counting display is needed.

Graph View

Backlinks