19-2673; Rev 0; 10/02
2-Wire Interfaced, 5 ✕ 7 Matrix Vacuum-
Fluorescent Display Controller
General Description
Features
o 400kbps 2-Wire I C-Compatible Interface
o 2.7V to 3.6V Operation
2
The MAX6853 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
MAX6853 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 gen-
eration of cathode bias and filament supplies and to pro-
vide up to five logic outputs, including a buzzer driver.
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
o Separate Cursor Control with Automatic Blinking
o Filament Drive Full-Bridge Waveform Synthesis
The MAX6853 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. An internal 16-step
digital brightness control adjusts the display intensity.
The device also includes separate annunciator and cur-
sor control with automatic blinking, as well as a low-
power shutdown mode.
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 MAX6853 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.
Ordering Information
PART
TEMP RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
For an SPI™-compatible version, refer to the MAX6852
data sheet.
MAX6853AEE
-40°C to +125°C
16 QSOP
Typical Application Circuit
Applications
Display Modules
Bar Graph Displays
Industrial Controllers
CHIP-ON-GLASS VFD
Retail POS Displays
VFD SUPPLY VOLTAGE
Weight and Tare
Displays
0.1µF
V+
MICROCONTROLLER
VFCLK
VFDOUT
VFLOAD
MAX6853
SDA
SCL
SDA
SCL
AD0
VFBLANK
OSC2
Pin Configuration and Functional Diagram appear at end of
data sheet.
OSC1
GND
SPI is a trademark of Motorola, Inc.
10kΩ
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.