Hello,
I am trying to multiplex four seven segment display.
At 1 MHz (ATMega8 with default fuses), this results in 10^6 / 256 / 8 = ~500 calls per second. Each call, we turn off one display, reconfigure the segments to light up, and turn on the other display. This results in ~125 Hz refresh rate.
Will it be fine :?:
Also what do we have to consider related to Track Length on PCB to avoid Deghosting effect :?:
Please reply.
Thanks.
//katoch
Each multiplex is ~2ms.
Four displays means ~8ms to repeat the whole pattern i.e. 125Hz.
This will look fine. Anything above 40Hz should look ok too.
Build it and judge for yourself. Note that you can adjust your multiplex interrupt to any frequency. Just use CTC mode and the prescale bits, COMP interrupt instead of OVF interrupt.
Sensible wiring should be fine. You will need good 100nF decoupling capacitors on all VCC pins. And a good 470uF reservoir on the power supply.
David.
Also what do we have to consider related to Track Length on PCB to avoid Deghosting effect
The ghosting problem arises when you either drive a new set of segments before you change the digit or the other way around. In the first case, there's a momentary write to the currently lit digit of the new digit, and in the second the new digit momentarily shows the previous value. Ideally, you want to change them both together but you can't do that for obvious reasons if your ports aren't wide enough...
The way to avoid it is, on your timer interrupt which selects the next digit:
- set the segment drive to 0x00
- select the next digit
- set the segment drive to the desired value.
This inserts the necessary (but very short) delay.
Ghosting depends also from the schematic.
If you use the digit driver transistors as emitter follower, then they switch very fast (no Miller effect)
and you get no ghosting.
Otherwise you may need additional delay in your software to compensate the Miller effect.
Peter
In our case we are using, Each multiplex is ~2ms ----i.e. we will immediately Turn Off one display & turn ON other.
Ghosting can be removed by introducing delays between switching off one digit and switching on the next digit. (called interdigit blanking)
If you use the digit driver transistors as emitter follower, then they switch very fast (no Miller effect) and you get no ghosting.
The way to avoid it is, on your timer interrupt which selects the next digit:
- set the segment drive to 0x00
- select the next digit
- set the segment drive to the desired value.
This inserts the necessary (but very short) delay.
Thanks & regards,
//katoch
This chip attaches to SPI and takes care of all the multiplexing for you. And you need only one reference resistor, instead of one pr segment.
http://datasheets.maxim-ic.com/en/ds/MAX7219-MAX7221.pdf
I will use it. Is this transistor ok BC558B
That's a 100mA device, it depends on your displays whether that's enough or not. With 7 segments+DP the segment current limit is 12mA. You need some margin, so let's say 10mA.
This chip attaches to SPI
That's some expensive chip, likely way more expensive than the MCU driving it. I see no real reason for using it.
If you want your CPU cycles to chew on something else than muxing, I think it's a nice chip. It also takes considerably less space than whatever "manual" setup he might do. ;-)
Austria Microsystems AS1107 are even nicer...about half the price of MAX7219, plug in hardware and software compatibility - with a bit more functionality as well, if you wish. SOIC only though and not stocked everywhere
AS1107 is also good option.
Already there is discussion about comparison of both chips :---
http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1243196909
MAX7221 Speciication :----
http://www.maxim-ic.com/datasheet/index.mvp/id/1339
AS1107 Speciication :----
http://www.ams.com/eng/Products/Lighting-Management/LED-Driver-ICs/AS1107
MAX7221 ;----
MAX7221 Distributor Cost
12$ -- from Distributor
AS1107 Distributor Cost
5$ -- from Distributor
For 1000 unit cost is almost 3 $.
http://www.ams.com/eng/Products/...(oi)/1
But Mega-8 will cost for only -- 1$, thats why i am going for it.
That's a 100mA device, it depends on your displays whether that's enough or not. With 7 segments+DP the segment current limit is 12mA. You need some margin, so let's say 10mA.
And a good 470uF reservoir on the power supply.
Open Source Project - AVR freaks
Shall i use ULN2003 as shown in following circuit, what is need of ULN2003. Can we not work without it :?:
Regarding driver chips or AVRmega8.
7-segment LED displays work pretty well in bright light. However you may need hefty currents.
Bear in mind that N displays will have a peak segment current of N x average and a peak common (digit) current of N x 8 x average. Think what happens when you display "8.8.8.8."
In practice this means you always need ULN2003 digit drivers. You will probably manage with the AVR driving the segments. e.g. 5mA average segment current implies GPIO current of 20mA per pin. 160mA per AVR.
If you only have 1mA average segment current, the AVR can drive segments and digits. OTOH it is not bright. An LCD may be a better option in strong light.
The MAX72219 or 7221 can manage far larger currents and are simple to interface to an AVR.
David.
If it's practical to power it from another source, do so.
You could use the ULN or you could also use the UDN2981 etc. You need some resistors/resistor array in series.
EDIT: Or just go with the MAX7221 (slew rate limited). I hooked one up yesterday, it's super simple!
@hanemagne
How is the performance of AS1107 ? Have you used it :?:
How is the performance of AS1107 ? Have anyone used it :?:
How do I measure the performance of an led driver chip? If I see numbers on the display and they arent flickering, is the performance is acceptable?
is the performance is acceptable?
@katochd46: Never tried it, have no idea.
Max 7221 versus AS1107 Led Matrix Chips
I have used the MAX7219 / MAX7221 chips. They are excellent. Especially since you probably want the display in a remote position.
Since the AS1107 is cheaper but equivalent, I would give it a go.
Remember with all of these drivers. They default to max intensity "8888888" which takes serious current.
I suggest that you periodically reset the intensity. I turn it off when there has been user inactivity.
You have never described what brightness / power you actually want. A 4-digit dev board in subdued lighting works fine with an AVR i/o pins. 8-digit starts needing extra driver chips.
David.
In an application that uses more than two digits, I recommend using a back-lighted LCD display instead of LED 7-segment displays. This is especially true if you are not using a custom printed-circuit board and are wiring the prototype by hand. Wiring LED 7-segment displays is a LOT of work. Finding why a single segment isn't lighting is no fun either.
On eBay, an 8x1 LCD module cost only about $5-10 with shipping and only needs six wires between the AVR and LCD module. If the backlight is not used, the LCD will use only a small fraction of the current of the LED cluster. LED displays are good if the display is only numeric, has to be read quickly, and could be a distance of 3-10 meters from the viewer. (Or if your teacher insists that you do the homework project with LEDs). If the user is going to be 2 meters or less from the display, then a large character LCD module is the way to go.
Here on AVRfreaks, everyone gives the answer to the appropriate to the hardware listed by the message poster. But I will assume that there will be some flexibility in the hardware and try to suggest the easiest approach to the application. Simpler is always better with microcontrollers because it always takes much longer than anticipated to get the application running.
I agree with your reasoning, but one of the MAX7221's strengths is that the protocol is so simple. Also, it requires only three pins at the MCU, whereas e.g. an HD44780 setup would require at least twice as many pins and more CPU time.
I suggest that you periodically reset the intensity. I turn it off when there has been user inactivity.
I need to transfer counter value from one end to other end of RS-485 cable where there is a display unit. Now how should i decide when to turn display unit off or change its intensity :?:
counter ------------RS-485 -------------> Display
Thanks & Regards,
katoch
