19-4452; Rev 3; 7/97

Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers

_______________General Description ____________________________Features

MAX7219/MAX7221
The MAX7219/MAX7221 are compact, serial input/out- ♦ 10MHz Serial Interface
put common-cathode display drivers that interface
microprocessors (µPs) to 7-segment numeric LED dis- ♦ Individual LED Segment Control
plays of up to 8 digits, bar-graph displays, or 64 indi- ♦ Decode/No-Decode Digit Selection
vidual LEDs. Included on-chip are a BCD code-B
decoder, multiplex scan circuitry, segment and digit ♦ 150µA Low-Power Shutdown (Data Retained)
drivers, and an 8x8 static RAM that stores each digit. ♦ Digital and Analog Brightness Control
Only one external resistor is required to set the seg-
ment current for all LEDs. The MAX7221 is compatible ♦ Display Blanked on Power-Up
with SPI™, QSPI™, and Microwire™, and has slew-rate- ♦ Drive Common-Cathode LED Display
limited segment drivers to reduce EMI.
A convenient 3-wire serial interface connects to all ♦ Slew-Rate Limited Segment Drivers
common µPs. Individual digits may be addressed and for Lower EMI (MAX7221)
updated without rewriting the entire display. The ♦ SPI, QSPI, Microwire Serial Interface (MAX7221)
MAX7219/MAX7221 also allow the user to select code-
B decoding or no-decode for each digit. ♦ 24-Pin DIP and SO Packages
The devices include a 150µA low-power shutdown
mode, analog and digital brightness control, a scan- ______________Ordering Information
limit register that allows the user to display from 1 to 8 PART TEMP. RANGE PIN-PACKAGE
digits, and a test mode that forces all LEDs on. MAX7219CNG 0°C to +70°C 24 Narrow Plastic DIP
________________________Applications MAX7219CWG 0°C to +70°C 24 Wide SO
MAX7219C/D 0°C to +70°C Dice*
Bar-Graph Displays
MAX7219ENG -40°C to +85°C 24 Narrow Plastic DIP
7-Segment Displays
MAX7219EWG -40°C to +85°C 24 Wide SO
Industrial Controllers MAX7219ERG -40°C to +85°C 24 Narrow CERDIP
Panel Meters Ordering Information continued at end of data sheet.
LED Matrix Displays *Dice are specified at TA = +25°C.

__________________Pin Configuration ________Typical Application Circuit

TOP VIEW
DIN 1 24 DOUT

DIG 0 2 23 SEG D

DIG 4 3 22 SEG DP +5V

GND 4 21 SEG E 19
9.53k V+
DIG 6 5 MAX7219 20 SEG C 18
MAX7221 ISET DIG 0–DIG 7
DIG 2 6 19 V+ 8 DIGITS
DIG 3 7 18 ISET 1 MAX7219
MOSI DIN
MAX7221
DIG 7 8 17 SEG G 12
µP I/O LOAD (CS)
GND 9 16 SEG B
13 SEG A–G,
SCK CLK
DIG 5 10 15 SEG F SEG DP
9 8 SEGMENTS
GND
DIG 1 11 14 SEG A GND
4
LOAD (CS) 12 13 CLK

( ) MAX7221 ONLY DIP/SO ( ) MAX7221 ONLY 8-DIGIT µP DISPLAY

SPI and QSPI are trademarks of Motorola Inc. Microwire is a trademark of National Semiconductor Corp.

________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products 1

For free samples & the latest literature: http://www.maxim-ic.com, or phone 1-800-998-8800.
For small orders, phone 408-737-7600 ext. 3468.

This datasheet has been downloaded from http://www.digchip.com at this page

 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers

ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS

MAX7219/MAX7221

Voltage (with respect to GND) Operating Temperature Ranges

V+ ............................................................................-0.3V to 6V MAX7219C_G/MAX7221C_G ..............................0°C to +70°C
DIN, CLK, LOAD, CS ...............................................-0.3V to 6V MAX7219E_G/MAX7221E_G ............................-40°C to +85°C
All Other Pins.............................................-0.3V to (V+ + 0.3V) Storage Temperature Range .............................-65°C to +160°C
Current Lead Temperature (soldering, 10sec) .............................+300°C
DIG0–DIG7 Sink Current................................................500mA
SEGA–G, DP Source Current.........................................100mA
Continuous Power Dissipation (TA = +85°C)
Narrow Plastic DIP ..........................................................0.87W
Wide SO ..........................................................................0.76W
Narrow CERDIP.................................................................1.1W

Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional
operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to
absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(V+ = 5V ±10%, RSET = 9.53kΩ ±1%, TA = TMIN to TMAX, unless otherwise noted.)

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

Operating Supply Voltage V+ 4.0 5.5 V
Shutdown Supply Current I+ All digital inputs at V+ or GND, TA = +25°C 150 µA
RSET = open circuit 8
Operating Supply Current I+ All segments and decimal point on, mA
330
ISEG_ = -40mA
Display Scan Rate fOSC 8 digits scanned 500 800 1300 Hz
Digit Drive Sink Current IDIGIT V+ = 5V, VOUT = 0.65V 320 mA
Segment Drive Source Current ISEG TA = +25°C, V+ = 5V, VOUT = (V+ - 1V) -30 -40 -45 mA
Segment Current Slew Rate
∆ISEG/∆t TA = +25°C, V+ = 5V, VOUT = (V+ - 1V) 10 20 50 mA/µs
(MAX7221 only)
Segment Drive Current Matching ∆ISEG 3.0 %
Digit Drive Leakage
IDIGIT Digit off, VDIGIT = V+ -10 µA
(MAX7221 only)
Segment Drive Leakage
ISEG Segment off, VSEG = 0V 1 µA
(MAX7221 only)
Digit Drive Source Current
IDIGIT Digit off, VDIGIT = (V+ - 0.3V) -2 mA
(MAX7219 only)
Segment Drive Sink Current
ISEG Segment off, VSEG = 0.3V 5 mA
(MAX7219 only)

2 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (continued)

MAX7219/MAX7221
(V+ = 5V ±10%, RSET =9.53kΩ ±1%, TA = TMIN to TMAX, unless otherwise noted.)

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

LOGIC INPUTS
Input Current DIN, CLK,
IIH, IIL VIN = 0V or V+ -1 1 µA
LOAD, CS
Logic High Input Voltage VIH 3.5 V
Logic Low Input Voltage VIL 0.8 V
Output High Voltage VOH DOUT, ISOURCE = -1mA V+ - 1 V
Output Low Voltage VOL DOUT, ISINK = 1.6mA 0.4 V
Hysteresis Voltage ∆VI DIN, CLK, LOAD, CS 1 V
TIMING CHARACTERISTICS
CLK Clock Period tCP 100 ns
CLK Pulse Width High tCH 50 ns
CLK Pulse Width Low tCL 50 ns
CS Fall to SCLK Rise Setup Time
tCSS 25 ns
(MAX7221 only)
CLK Rise to CS or LOAD Rise
tCSH 0 ns
Hold Time
DIN Setup Time tDS 25 ns
DIN Hold Time tDH 0 ns
Output Data Propagation Delay tDO CLOAD = 50pF 25 ns
Load-Rising Edge to Next Clock
tLDCK 50 ns
Rising Edge (MAX7219 only)
Minimum CS or LOAD Pulse
tCSW 50 ns
High
Data-to-Segment Delay tDSPD 2.25 ms

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 3
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers

__________________________________________Typical Operating Characteristics

MAX7219/MAX7221

(V+ = +5V, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)

SCAN FREQUENCY vs. SEGMENT DRIVER OUTPUT CURRENT

POSITIVE SUPPLY VOLTAGE vs. OUTPUT VOLTAGE
830 70

MAX7219/21 01

MAX7219/21 02
820
60
810
RSET = 10kΩ

OUTPUT CURRENT (mA)

SCAN FREQUENCY (Hz)

800 50
790
40
780 RSET = 20kΩ
770 30

760 20 RSET = 40kΩ

750
10
740
730 0
4.0 4.4 4.8 5.2 5.6 6.0 0 1 2 3 4 5
POSITIVE SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V) OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)

MAX7219 MAX7221
SEGMENT OUTPUT CURRENT SEGMENT OUTPUT CURRENT
MAX7219/21 03

MAX7219/21 04
MAXIMUM INTENSITY = 31/32 MAXIMUM INTENSITY = 15/16

10mA/div 10mA/div

0 0

5µs/div 5µs/div

4 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers

______________________________________________________________Pin Description

MAX7219/MAX7221
PIN NAME FUNCTION
1 DIN Serial-Data Input. Data is loaded into the internal 16-bit shift register on CLK’s rising edge.
Eight-Digit Drive Lines that sink current from the display common cathode. The MAX7219 pulls
2, 3, 5–8,
DIG 0–DIG 7 the digit outputs to V+ when turned off. The MAX7221’s digit drivers are high-impedance when
10, 11
turned off.
4, 9 GND Ground (both GND pins must be connected)
LOAD
Load-Data Input. The last 16 bits of serial data are latched on LOAD’s rising edge.
(MAX7219)
12
CS Chip-Select Input. Serial data is loaded into the shift register while CS is low. The last 16 bits of
(MAX7221) serial data are latched on CS’s rising edge.
Serial-Clock Input. 10MHz maximum rate. On CLK’s rising edge, data is shifted into the inter-
13 CLK nal shift register. On CLK’s falling edge, data is clocked out of DOUT. On the MAX7221, the
CLK input is active only while CS is low.
Seven Segment Drives and Decimal Point Drive that source current to the display. On the
14–17, SEG A–SEG G,
MAX7219, when a segment driver is turned off it is pulled to GND. The MAX7221 segment dri-
20–23 DP
vers are high-impedance when turned off.
Connect to VDD through a resistor (RSET) to set the peak segment current (Refer to Selecting
18 ISET
RSET Resistor section).
19 V+ Positive Supply Voltage. Connect to +5V.
Serial-Data Output. The data into DIN is valid at DOUT 16.5 clock cycles later. This pin is used
24 DOUT
to daisy-chain several MAX7219/MAX7221’s and is never high-impedance.

_________________________________________________________Functional Diagram

SEG A–SEG G, DP DIG 0–DIG 7

SEGMENT DRIVERS DIGIT DRIVERS

8

8 SHUTDOWN REGISTER
CODE B MODE REGISTER
V+ INTENSITY
ROM WITH
PULSE-
BYPASS INTENSITY REGISTER
WIDTH
RSET SCAN-LIMIT REGISTER MODULATOR

SEGMENT 8 DISPLAY-TEST REGISTER

CURRENT 8x8
REFERENCE DUAL-PORT MULTIPLEX
SRAM SCAN
ADDRESS CIRCUITRY
8 REGISTER
8
LOAD (CS) DECODER

DIN D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10 D11 D12 D13 D14 D15 DOUT

CLK
(LSB) (MSB)
( ) MAX7221 ONLY

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 5
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers
MAX7219/MAX7221

CS tCSW
OR LOAD
tCSH
tCSS tCL tCH tCP tLDCK

CLK
tDH

tDS

DIN D15 D14 D1 D0

tDO

DOUT

Figure 1. Timing Diagram

Table 1. Serial-Data Format (16 Bits)

D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9 D8 D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0
X X X X ADDRESS MSB MSB
DATA LSB

_______________Detailed Description Digit and Control Registers

Table 2 lists the 14 addressable digit and control regis-
MAX7219/MAX7221 Differences ters. The digit registers are realized with an on-chip,
The MAX7219 and MAX7221 are identical except for 8x8 dual-port SRAM. They are addressed directly so
two parameters: the MAX7221 segment drivers are that individual digits can be updated and retain data as
slew-rate limited to reduce electromagnetic interfer- long as V+ typically exceeds 2V. The control registers
ence (EMI), and its serial interface is fully SPI compati- consist of decode mode, display intensity, scan limit
ble. (number of scanned digits), shutdown, and display test
(all LEDs on).
Serial-Addressing Modes
For the MAX7219, serial data at DIN, sent in 16-bit Shutdown Mode
packets, is shifted into the internal 16-bit shift register When the MAX7219 is in shutdown mode, the scan oscil-
with each rising edge of CLK regardless of the state of lator is halted, all segment current sources are pulled to
LOAD. For the MAX7221, CS must be low to clock data ground, and all digit drivers are pulled to V+, thereby
in or out. The data is then latched into either the digit or blanking the display. The MAX7221 is identical, except
control registers on the rising edge of LOAD/CS. the drivers are high-impedance. Data in the digit and
LOAD/CS must go high concurrently with or after the control registers remains unaltered. Shutdown can be
16th rising clock edge, but before the next rising clock used to save power or as an alarm to flash the display by
edge or data will be lost. Data at DIN is propagated successively entering and leaving shutdown mode. For
through the shift register and appears at DOUT 16.5 minimum supply current in shutdown mode, logic inputs
clock cycles later. Data is clocked out on the falling should be at ground or V+ (CMOS-logic levels).
edge of CLK. Data bits are labeled D0–D15 (Table 1).
Typically, it takes less than 250µs for the MAX7219/
D8–D11 contain the register address. D0–D7 contain
MAX7221 to leave shutdown mode. The display driver
the data, and D12–D15 are “don’t care” bits. The first
can be programmed while in shutdown mode, and
received is D15, the most significant bit (MSB).
shutdown mode can be overridden by the display-test
function.

6 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers

Table 2. Register Address Map Initial Power-Up

MAX7219/MAX7221
On initial power-up, all control registers are reset, the
ADDRESS display is blanked, and the MAX7219/MAX7221 enter
HEX shutdown mode. Program the display driver prior to
REGISTER D15–
D11 D10 D9 D8 CODE display use. Otherwise, it will initially be set to scan one
D12
digit, it will not decode data in the data registers, and
No-Op X 0 0 0 0 X0 the intensity register will be set to its minimum value.
Digit 0 X 0 0 0 1 X1
Decode-Mode Register
Digit 1 X 0 0 1 0 X2 The decode-mode register sets BCD code B (0-9, E, H,
Digit 2 X 0 0 1 1 X3 L, P, and -) or no-decode operation for each digit. Each
bit in the register corresponds to one digit. A logic high
Digit 3 X 0 1 0 0 X4
selects code B decoding while logic low bypasses the
Digit 4 X 0 1 0 1 X5 decoder. Examples of the decode mode control-regis-
Digit 5 X 0 1 1 0 X6 ter format are shown in Table 4.
Digit 6 X 0 1 1 1 X7 When the code B decode mode is used, the decoder
looks only at the lower nibble of the data in the digit
Digit 7 X 1 0 0 0 X8 registers (D3–D0), disregarding bits D4–D6. D7, which
Decode sets the decimal point (SEG DP), is independent of the
X 1 0 0 1 X9
Mode decoder and is positive logic (D7 = 1 turns the decimal
Intensity X 1 0 1 0 XA
point on). Table 5 lists the code B font.
Scan Limit X 1 0 1 1 XB
When no-decode is selected, data bits D7–D0 corre-
spond to the segment lines of the MAX7219/MAX7221.
Shutdown X 1 1 0 0 XC Table 6 shows the one-to-one pairing of each data bit
Display to the appropriate segment line.
X 1 1 1 1 XF
Test

Table 3. Shutdown Register Format (Address (Hex) = XC)

REGISTER DATA
ADDRESS CODE
MODE
(HEX) D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

Shutdown
XC X X X X X X X 0
Mode
Normal
XC X X X X X X X 1
Operation

Table 4. Decode-Mode Register Examples (Address (Hex) = X9)

REGISTER DATA HEX
DECODE MODE
D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0 CODE
No decode for digits 7–0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00
Code B decode for digit 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 01
No decode for digits 7–1
Code B decode for digits 3–0
0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0F
No decode for digits 7–4
Code B decode for digits 7–0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 FF

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 7
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers
MAX7219/MAX7221

Table 5. Code B Font

REGISTER DATA ON SEGMENTS = 1
7-SEGMENT
CHARACTER D7* D6–D4 D3 D2 D1 D0 DP* A B C D E F G

0 X 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
1 X 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
2 X 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1
3 X 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1
4 X 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1
5 X 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1
6 X 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1
7 X 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
8 X 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
9 X 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1
— X 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
E X 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1
H X 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1
L X 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
P X 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1
blank X 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

*The decimal point is set by bit D7 = 1

Table 6. No-Decode Mode Data Bits and Intensity Control

and Interdigit Blanking
Corresponding Segment Lines The MAX7219/MAX7221 allow display brightness to be
A controlled with an external resistor (RSET) connected
between V+ and ISET. The peak current sourced from
the segment drivers is nominally 100 times the current
F B entering ISET. This resistor can either be fixed or vari-
G able to allow brightness adjustment from the front
STANDARD 7-SEGMENT LED panel. Its minimum value should be 9.53Ω, which typi-
cally sets the segment current at 40mA. Display bright-
E C
ness can also be controlled digitally by using the
intensity register.
D DP Digital control of display brightness is provided by an
internal pulse-width modulator, which is controlled by
the lower nibble of the intensity register. The modulator
REGISTER DATA
scales the average segment current in 16 steps from a
D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0 maximum of 31/32 down to 1/32 of the peak current set
Corresponding by RSET (15/16 to 1/16 on MAX7221). Table 7 lists the
DP A B C D E F G
Segment Line intensity register format. The minimum interdigit blank-
ing time is set to 1/32 of a cycle.

8 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers

Table 7. Intensity Register Format (Address (Hex) = XA)

MAX7219/MAX7221
DUTY CYCLE HEX
D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0
MAX7219 MAX7221 CODE
1/32 1/16
X X X X 0 0 0 0 X0
(min on) (min on)
3/32 2/16 X X X X 0 0 0 1 X1
5/32 3/16 X X X X 0 0 1 0 X2
7/32 4/16 X X X X 0 0 1 1 X3
9/32 5/16 X X X X 0 1 0 0 X4
11/32 6/16 X X X X 0 1 0 1 X5
13/32 7/16 X X X X 0 1 1 0 X6
15/32 8/16 X X X X 0 1 1 1 X7
17/32 9/16 X X X X 1 0 0 0 X8
19/32 10/16 X X X X 1 0 0 1 X9
21/32 11/16 X X X X 1 0 1 0 XA
23/32 12/16 X X X X 1 0 1 1 XB
25/32 13/16 X X X X 1 1 0 0 XC
27/32 14/16 X X X X 1 1 0 1 XD
29/32 15/16 X X X X 1 1 1 0 XE
15/16
31/32 X X X X 1 1 1 1 XF
(max on)

Table 8. Scan-Limit Register Format (Address (Hex) = XB)

REGISTER DATA HEX
SCAN LIMIT
D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0 CODE
Display digit 0 only* X X X X X 0 0 0 X0
Display digits 0 & 1* X X X X X 0 0 1 X1
Display digits 0 1 2* X X X X X 0 1 0 X2
Display digits 0 1 2 3 X X X X X 0 1 1 X3
Display digits 0 1 2 3 4 X X X X X 1 0 0 X4
Display digits 0 1 2 3 4 5 X X X X X 1 0 1 X5
Display digits 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 X X X X X 1 1 0 X6
Display digits 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 X X X X X 1 1 1 X7

*See Scan-Limit Register section for application.

Scan-Limit Register scanned. Since the number of scanned digits affects

The scan-limit register sets how many digits are dis- the display brightness, the scan-limit register should
played, from 1 to 8. They are displayed in a multiplexed not be used to blank portions of the display (such as
manner with a typical display scan rate of 800Hz with 8 leading zero suppression). Table 8 lists the scan-limit
digits displayed. If fewer digits are displayed, the scan register format.
rate is 8f OSC /N, where N is the number of digits

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 9
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers

If the scan-limit register is set for three digits or less, fourth chip, sent the desired 16-bit word, followed by
MAX7219/MAX7221

individual digit drivers will dissipate excessive amounts three no-op codes (hex XX0X, see Table 2). When
of power. Consequently, the value of the RSET resistor LOAD/CS goes high, data is latched in all devices. The
must be adjusted according to the number of digits dis- first three chips receive no-op commands, and the
played, to limit individual digit driver power dissipation. fourth receives the intended data.
Table 9 lists the number of digits displayed and the
corresponding maximum recommended segment cur- __________Applications Information
rent when the digit drivers are used. Supply Bypassing and Wiring
Display-Test Register To minimize power-supply ripple due to the peak digit
The display-test register operates in two modes: normal driver currents, connect a 10µF electrolytic and a 0.1µF
and display test. Display-test mode turns all LEDs on ceramic capacitor between V+ and GND as close to
by overriding, but not altering, all controls and digit reg- the device as possible. The MAX7219/MAX7221 should
isters (including the shutdown register). In display-test be placed in close proximity to the LED display, and
mode, 8 digits are scanned and the duty cycle is 31/32 connections should be kept as short as possible to
(15/16 for MAX7221). Table 10 lists the display-test reg- minimize the effects of wiring inductance and electro-
ister format. magnetic interference. Also, both GND pins must be
connected to ground.
Table 9. Maximum Segment Current for Selecting RSET Resistor and
1-, 2-, or 3-Digit Displays Using External Drivers
The current per segment is approximately 100 times
MAXIMUM SEGMENT the current in ISET. To select RSET, see Table 11. The
NUMBER OF DIGITS
CURRENT
DISPLAYED MAX7219/MAX7221’s maximum recommended seg-
(mA)
ment current is 40mA. For segment current levels
1 10 above these levels, external digit drivers will be need-
2 20 ed. In this application, the MAX7219/MAX7221 serve
only as controllers for other high-current drivers or tran-
3 30
sistors. Therefore, to conserve power, use RSET = 47kΩ
when using external current sources as segment dri-
Table 10. Display-Test Register Format vers.
(Address (Hex) = XF) The example in Figure 2 uses the MAX7219/MAX7221’s
segment drivers, a MAX394 single-pole double-throw
REGISTER DATA analog switch, and external transistors to drive 2.3”
MODE AND2307SLC common-cathode displays. The 5.6V
D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0
zener diode has been added in series with the decimal
Normal point LED because the decimal point LED forward volt-
X X X X X X X 0
Operation age is typically 4.2V. For all other segments the LED
Display Test forward voltage is typically 8V. Since external transis-
X X X X X X X 1
Mode tors are used to sink current (DIG 0 and DIG 1 are used
as logic switches), peak segment currents of 45mA are
Note: The MAX7219/MAX7221 remain in display-test mode allowed even though only two digits are displayed. In
(all LEDs on) until the display-test register is reconfigured applications where the MAX7219/MAX7221’s digit dri-
for normal operation. vers are used to sink current and fewer than four digits
No-Op Register are displayed, Table 9 specifies the maximum allow-
The no-op register is used when cascading MAX7219s able segment current. RSET must be selected accord-
or MAX7221s. Connect all devices’ LOAD/CS inputs ingly (Table 11).
together and connect DOUT to DIN on adjacent Refer to the Power Dissipation section of the Absolute
devices. DOUT is a CMOS logic-level output that easily Maximum Ratings to calculate acceptable limits for
drives DIN of successively cascaded parts. (Refer to ambient temperature, segment current, and the LED
the Serial Addressing Modes section for detailed infor- forward-voltage drop.
mation on serial input/output timing.) For example, if
four MAX7219s are cascaded, then to write to the

10 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers

Table 11. RSET vs. Segment Current and Table 12. Package Thermal Resistance

MAX7219/MAX7221
LED Forward Voltage Data
VLED (V) THERMAL RESISTANCE
ISEG (mA) PACKAGE
(θJA)
1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5
40 12.2 11.8 11.0 10.6 9.69 24 Narrow DIP +75°C/W

30 17.8 17.1 15.8 15.0 14.0 24 Wide SO +85°C/W

20 29.8 28.0 25.9 24.5 22.6 24 CERDIP +60°C/W

10 66.7 63.7 59.3 55.4 51.2 Maximum Junction Temperature (TJ) = +150°C
Maximum Ambient Temperature (TA) = +85°C

Computing Power Dissipation Cascading Drivers

The upper limit for power dissipation (PD) for the The example in Figure 3 drives 16 digits using a 3-wire
MAX7219/MAX7221 is determined from the following µP interface. If the number of digits is not a multiple of
equation: 8, set both drivers’ scan limits registers to the same
PD = (V + x 8mA) + (V+ - VLED)(DUTY x ISEG x N) number so one display will not appear brighter than the
other. For example, if 12 digits are need, use 6 digits
where: per display with both scan-limit registers set for 6 digits
V+ = supply voltage so that both displays have a 1/6 duty cycle per digit. If
DUTY = duty cycle set by intensity register 11 digits are needed, set both scan-limit registers for 6
digits and leave one digit driver unconnected. If one
N = number of segments driven (worst case is 8) display for 6 digits and the other for 5 digits, the sec-
VLED = LED forward voltage ond display will appear brighter because its duty cycle
ISEG = segment current set by RSET per digit will be 1/5 while the first display’s will be 1/6.
Refer to the No-Op Register section for additional infor-
Dissipation Example: mation.
ISEG = 40mA, N = 8, DUTY = 31/32, VLED = 1.8V at
40mA, V+ = 5.25V
PD = 5.25V(8mA) + (5.25V - 1.8V)(31/32 x
40mA x 8) = 1.11W
Thus, for a CERDIP package (θ JA = +60°C/W from
Table 12), the maximum allowed ambient temperature
TA is given by:
TJ(MAX) = TA + PD x θJA + 150°C = TA +1.11W x
60°C/W
where TA = +83.4°C.

______________________________________________________________________________________ 11
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers
MAX7219/MAX7221

AND2307SLC AND2307SLC
5 5
ANODE DP ANODE DP
7 7
ANODE A ANODE A
9 9
ANODE F ANODE F
6 6
ANODE B ANODE B
10 10
ANODE G ANODE G
4 4
ANODE C ANODE C
2 2
ANODE E ANODE E
1N5524B 3 3
ANODE D CATHODE ANODE D CATHODE
5.6V ±5%
8 8

23
SEG D
21
SEG E
20
SEG C
17
SEG G
16 5V
SEG B
15 MAX7219 19
SEG F V+ 4.7k
14 MAX7221
SEG A
22 30k
SEG DP
4.7k
4 18 16
GND ISFT 4
9 NC1
GND 3
* * 7
COM1
NC2 IRF540
1 2 1
DATA IN DIN DIG 0
11 10 IN1 MAX394
12 8
LOAD (CS) LOAD (CS) DIG 1 IN2 COM2
13 2
CLOCK CLK NO1
9
NO2

*4.7kΩ PULL-UP REQUIRED FOR MAX7221 IRF540

-5V
( ) MAX7221 ONLY

Figure 2. MAX7219/MAX7221 Driving 2.3-Inch Displays

12 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers

MAX7219/MAX7221
8 8 8 8

DATA IN DIN DOUT DIN DOUT

DIG 0 SEG D DIG 0 SEG D
DIG 4 SEG DP DIG 4 SEG DP
GND SEG E GND SEG E
5V 5V
DIG 6 SEG C DIG 6 SEG C
DIG 2 V+ DIG 2 V+
DIG 3 ISET DIG 3 ISET
DIG 7 SEG G 9.53k DIG 7 SEG G 9.53k
GND SEG B GND SEG B
DIG 5 SEG F DIG 5 SEG F
DIG 1 SEG A DIG 1 SEG A
LOAD (CS) CLK MAX7219 LOAD (CS) CLK MAX7219
MAX7221 MAX7221
LOAD DATA
( ) MAX7221 ONLY CLOCK

Figure 3. Cascading MAX7219/MAX7221s to Drive 16 7-Segment LED Digits

______________________________________________________________________________________ 13
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers

_Ordering Information (continued) ___________________Chip Topography

MAX7219/MAX7221

PART TEMP. RANGE PIN-PACKAGE

MAX7221CNG 0°C to +70°C 24 Narrow Plastic DIP GND DIG 7 DIG 3 DIG 2 DIG 6 GND
MAX7221CWG 0°C to +70°C 24 Wide SO
MAX7221C/D 0°C to +70°C Dice*
MAX7221ENG -40°C to +85°C 24 Narrow Plastic DIP
DIG 5 DIG 4
MAX7221EWG -40°C to +85°C 24 Wide SO
MAX7221ERG -40°C to +85°C 24 Narrow CERDIP
*Dice are specified at TA = +25°C. DIG 1 DIG 0
LOAD 0.093"
OR DIN (2.36mm)
CS
CLK DOUT

SEG A SEG D

SEG F

SEG B ISET SEG C SEG DP

SEG G SEG E
0.080"
(2.03mm)

TRANSISTOR COUNT: 5267

SUBSTRATE CONNECTED TO GND

14 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers

________________________________________________________Package Information

MAX7219/MAX7221
PDIPN.EPS

______________________________________________________________________________________ 15
 Serially Interfaced, 8-Digit LED Display Drivers

___________________________________________Package Information (continued)

MAX7219/MAX7221

SOICW.EPS

Maxim cannot assume responsibility for use of any circuitry other than circuitry entirely embodied in a Maxim product. No circuit patent licenses are
implied. Maxim reserves the right to change the circuitry and specifications without notice at any time.

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