January 2000
LM3916
Dot/Bar Display Driver
The LM3916 is very versatile. The outputs can drive LCDs,
vacuum fluorescents and incandescent bulbs as well as
LEDs of any color. Multiple devices can be cascaded for a
dot or bar mode display for increased range and/or resolu-
tion. Useful in other applications are the linear LM3914 and
the logarithmic LM3915.
General Description
The LM3916 is a monolithic integrated circuit that senses
analog voltage levels and drives ten LEDs, LCDs or vacuum
fluorescent displays, providing an electronic version of the
popular VU meter. One pin changes the display from a bar
graph to a moving dot display. LED current drive is regulated
and programmable, eliminating the need for current limiting
resistors. The whole display system can operate from a
single supply as low as 3V or as high as 25V.
Features
n Fast responding electronic VU meter
n Drivers LEDs, LCDs, or vacuum fluorescents
n Bar or dot display mode externally selectable by user
n Expandable to displays of 70 dB
The IC contains an adjustable voltage reference and an ac-
curate ten-step voltage divider. The high-impedance input
buffer accepts signals down to ground and up to within 1.5V
of the positive supply. Further, it needs no protection against
n Internal voltage reference from 1.2V to 12V
n Operates with single supply of 3V to 25V
n Inputs operate down to ground
±
inputs of 35V. The input buffer drives 10 individual com-
parators referenced to the precision divider. Accuracy is typi-
cally better than 0.2 dB.
n Output current programmable from 1 mA to 30 mA
Audio applications include average or peak level indicators,
and power meters. Replacing conventional meters with an
LED bar graph results in a faster responding, more rugged
display with high visibility that retains the ease of interpreta-
tion of an analog display.
±
n Input withstands 35V without damage or false outputs
n Outputs are current regulated, open collectors
n Directly drives TTL or CMOS
n The internal 10-step divider is floating and can be
referenced to a wide range of voltages
The LM3916 is extremely easy to apply. A 1.2V full-scale
meter requires only one resistor in addition to the ten LEDs.
One more resistor programs the full-scale anywhere from
1.2V to 12V independent of supply voltage. LED brightness
is easily controlled with a single pot.
The LM3916 is rated for operation from 0˚C to +70˚C. The
LM3916N-1 is available in an 18-lead molded DIP package.
© 2000 National Semiconductor Corporation
DS007971
www.national.com