maintain state of a channel cd74hc4067

Question

I have this code to change channels.

void setMuxChannel(byte channel) {
   digitalWrite(muxS0, bitRead(channel, 0));
   digitalWrite(muxS1, bitRead(channel, 1));
   digitalWrite(muxS2, bitRead(channel, 2));
   digitalWrite(muxS3, bitRead(channel, 3));
}

I have this code to write a value in a channels, but when I change to a new channel, the previous channel returns to LOW. I want to turn on LEDs using multiplexer, however the LEDs do not stay on since the channel they are connected to does not keep its value.

  setMuxChannel(1);
  digitalWrite (muxSIG,a);
  delay(5);   
  setMuxChannel(2);
  digitalWrite (muxSIG,b);
  delay(5);
  setMuxChannel(3);   
  digitalWrite (muxSIG,c);
  delay(5);  
  setMuxChannel(4);
  digitalWrite (muxSIG,d);

Answer 1

The whole point of a multiplexer is to only connect ONE channel at a time to the input. It is designed to send many different signals through one wire by time sharing. Normally data in some form is send, and not the direct control current of a simple load. So you will not be able to drive more than one channel at a given time.

You can cycle very fast through the channels to let it seem, as if the LEDs were on simultaneously, but this will decrease their light intensity.

If you just want to drive some LEDs without using too mich of the IO pins, you should follow Majenkos comment and use a shift register instead. They can drive all outputs at the same time if wanted. Also often they can be daisy-chained to simply controlling multiple shift registers through a single output of the Arduino.