19-2635; Rev 1; 1/03
4-Wire Interfaced, 7-, 14-, and 16-Segment Alpha-
numeric Vacuum-Fluorescent Display Controller
General Description
Features
The MAX6850 compact vacuum-fluorescent display
(VFD) controller provides microprocessors with the mul-
tiplex timing for 7-segment, 14-segment, or 16-segment
alphanumeric VFD displays up to 96 characters and
controls industry-standard, shift-register, high-voltage
grid/anode VFD tube drivers. The device supports dis-
play tubes using either one or two digits per grid, as
well as universal displays. Hardware is included to sim-
plify the generation of cathode bias and filament sup-
plies and to provide up to five logic outputs, including a
buzzer driver. The MAX6850 provides an internal cross-
point switch to match any tube-driver shift-register
grid/anode order, and is compatible with both chip-in-
glass and external tube drivers.
ꢀ High-Speed 26MHz SPI-/QSPI-/MICROWIRE™-
Compatible Serial Interface
ꢀ 2.7V to 3.6V Operation
ꢀ Controls Up to 48 Grids of 7-Segment, 14-Segment,
or 16-Segment Alphanumeric Digits
ꢀ One Digit and Two Digits per Grid and Universal
Displays Supported
ꢀ 16-Step Digital Brightness Control
ꢀ Built-In ASCII 104-Character Font
ꢀ 24 User-Definable Characters
ꢀ Up to Four Annunciators per Grid with Automatic
Blinking Control
The MAX6850 includes an ASCII 104-character font,
multiplex scan circuitry, and static RAM that stores
digit, cursor, and annunciator data, as well as font data
for 24 user-definable characters. The display intensity
can be adjusted by an internal 16-step digital bright-
ness control. The device also includes separate annun-
ciator and cursor control with automatic blinking, as
well as a low-power shutdown mode.
ꢀ Separate Cursor Control with Automatic Blinking
ꢀ Filament Drive Full-Bridge Waveform Synthesis
ꢀ Buzzer Tone Generator with Single-Ended or
Push-Pull Driver
ꢀ Up to Five General-Purpose Logic Outputs
ꢀ 9µA Low-Power Shutdown (Data Retained)
ꢀ 16-Pin QSOP Package
The MAX6850 provides timing to generate the PWM
waveforms to drive the tube filament from a DC supply.
The filament drive is synchronized to the display multi-
plexing to eliminate beat artifacts. The MAX6850 is
compatible with SPI™ and QSPI™.
Ordering Information
For a 2-wire interfaced version, refer to the MAX6851*
data sheet.
PART
TEMP RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
MAX6850AEE
-40 C to +125 C
16 QSOP
*Future product—contact factory for availability.
Applications
Industrial Controllers
Typical Application Circuit
Display Modules
Retail POS Displays
White Goods
CHIP-ON-GLASS VFD
Weight and Tare
Displays
Professional Audio
Equipment
VFD SUPPLY VOLTAGE
0.1µF
Bar Graph Displays
MICROCONTROLLER
VFCLK
VFDOUT
VFLOAD
MAX6850
DOUT
SCLK
CS
DIN
SCLK
CS
Pin Configuration and Functional Diagram appear at end of
data sheet.
VFBLANK
OSC2
SPI and QSPI are trademarks of Motorola, Inc.
OSC1
GND
10kΩ
MICROWIRE is a trademark of National Semiconductor Corp.
56pF
________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products
1
For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim/Dallas Direct! at
1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.