19-2537; Rev 1; 11/02
4-Wire Interfaced, 5 ✕ 7 Matrix Vacuum-
Fluorescent Display Controller
General Description
Features
o High-Speed 26MHz SPI-/QSPI-/MICROWIRE™-
The MAX6852 compact vacuum-fluorescent display
(VFD) controller provides microprocessors with the mul-
tiplex timing for 5 x 7 matrix VFD displays up to 96
characters and controls industry-standard, shift-regis-
ter, high-voltage grid/anode VFD tube drivers. The
device supports display tubes using either one or two
digits per grid, as well as universal displays. The
MAX6852 provides an internal crosspoint switch to
match any tube-driver shift-register grid/anode order,
and is compatible with both chip-in-glass and external
tube drivers. Hardware is included to simplify the gener-
ation of cathode bias and filament supplies and to pro-
vide up to five logic outputs, including a buzzer driver.
Compatible Serial Interface
o 2.7V to 3.6V Operation
o Controls Up to 96 5 x 7 Matrix Characters
o One Digit and Two Digits per Grid and Universal
Displays Supported
o 16-Step Digital Brightness Control
o Built-In ASCII 104-Character Font
o 24 User-Definable Characters
o Up to Four Annunciators per Grid with Automatic
Blinking Control
The MAX6852 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.
o Separate Cursor Control with Automatic Blinking
o Filament Drive Full-Bridge Waveform Synthesis
o Buzzer Tone Generator with Single-Ended or
Push-Pull Driver
o Up to Five General-Purpose Logic Outputs
o 9µA Low-Power Shutdown (Data Retained)
o 16-Pin QSOP Package
The MAX6852 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 MAX6852 is
compatible with SPI™ and QSPI™.
Ordering Information
For a 2-wire interfaced version, refer to the MAX6853
data sheet.
PART
TEMP RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
MAX6852AEE
-40°C to +125°C
16 QSOP
Applications
Bar Graph Displays
Typical Application Circuit
Display Modules
CHIP-ON-GLASS VFD
Retail POS Displays
Industrial Controllers
VFD SUPPLY VOLTAGE
Weight and Tare
Displays
0.1µF
MICROCONTROLLER
VFCLK
VFDOUT
VFLOAD
MAX6852
DOUT
SCLK
CS
DIN
SCLK
CS
VFBLANK
OSC2
Pin Configuration and Functional Diagram appear at end of
data sheet.
OSC1
GND
10kΩ
SPI and QSPI are trademarks of Motorola, Inc.
56pF
MICROWIRE is a trademark of National Semiconductor Corp.
________________________________________________________________ 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.