GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The ML9211 is a full CMOS controller/driver for Duplex or Triplex (1/2 duty or 1/3 duty) vacuum fluorescent display tube. It consists of a 56-segment driver multiplexed to drive up to 168 segments, and 10-bit digital dimming circuit.

ML9211 features a selection of a master mode and a slave mode, and therefore it can be used to expand segments for the VFD driver with keyscan and A/D converter function.

ML9211 provides an interface with a microcontroller only by three signal lines: DATA IN, CLOCK and CS.

FEATURES

? Logic supply voltage (VDD) : 4.5 to 5.5V

? Driver supply voltage (VDISP) : 8 to 18V

? Duplex/Triplex (1/2 duty / 1/3 duty) selectable

DUP/TRI=1/2 duty selectable at H level

DUP/TRI=1/3 duty selectable at L level

? Number of display segments

Max. 112-segment display (during 1/2 duty mode)

Max. 168-segment display (during 1/3 duty mode)

? Master/Slave selectable

M/S=Master mode selectable at H level

M/S=Slave mode selectable at L level

? Interface with a microcontroller Three lines: CS, CLOCK, and DATA IN

? 56-segment driver outputs : IOH=–5mA at VOH=VDISP–0.8V (SEG1 to 37) (can be directly connected to VFD tube : IOH=–10mA at VOH=VDISP–0.8V (SEG38 to 56) and require no external resistors) : IOL=500mA at VOL=2V (SEG1 to 56)

? 3-grid pre-driver outputs : IOH=–5.0mA at VOH=VDISP–0.8V (require external drivers) IOL=10mA at VOL=2V

? Logic outputs : IOH=–200mA at VOH=VDD–0.8V IOL=200mA at VOL=0.8V

? Built-in digital dimming circuit (10-bit resolution)

? Built-in oscillation circuit (external R and C)

? Built-in Power-On-Reset circuit

? Package options:

80-pin plastic QFP (QFP80-P-1420-0.80-BK) Product name: ML9211GA

80-pin plastic QFP (QFP80-P-1414-0.65-K) Product name: ML9211GP