Electronica

LM3915 Dot/Bar Display Driver

February 2001

LM3915 Dot/Bar Display Driver
General Description
The LM3915 is a monolithic integrated circuit that senses analog voltage levels and drives ten LEDs, LCDs or vacuum fluorescent displays, providing a logarithmic 3 dB/step analog display. One pin changes the display from a bar graph to a moving dot display. LED current drive is regulated andprogrammable, 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. The IC contains an adjustable voltage reference and an accurate 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 inputsof ± 35V. The input buffer drives 10 individual comparators referenced to the precision divider. Accuracy is typically better than 1 dB. The LM3915’s 3 dB/step display is suited for signals with wide dynamic range, such as audio level, power, light intensity or vibration. Audio applications include average or peak level indicators, power meters and RF signal strength meters. Replacing conventionalmeters with an LED bar graph results in a faster responding, more rugged display with high visibility that retains the ease of interpretation of an analog display. The LM3915 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 iseasily controlled with a single pot. The LM3915 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 with a range of 60 or 90 dB. LM3915s can also be cascaded with LM3914s for a linear/ log display or with LM3916s for an extended-range VU meter.

Features
n n n n n nn n n n n n 3 dB/step, 30 dB range Drives LEDs, LCDs, or vacuum fluorescents Bar or dot display mode externally selectable by user Expandable to displays of 90 dB Internal voltage reference from 1.2V to 12V Operates with single supply of 3V to 25V Inputs operate down to ground Output current programmable from 1 mA to 30 mA Input withstands ± 35V without damage or false outputs Outputs are currentregulated, open collectors Directly drives TTL or CMOS The internal 10-step divider is floating and can be referenced to a wide range of voltages The LM3915 is rated for operation from 0˚C to +70˚C. The LM3915N-1 is available in an 18-lead molded DIP package.

© 2001 National Semiconductor Corporation

DS005104

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LM3915

Typical Applications
0V to 10V Log DisplayDS005104-1

Notes: Capacitor C1 is required if leads to the LED supply are 6" or longer. Circuit as shown is wired for dot mode. For bar mode, connect pin 9 to pin 3. VLED must be kept below 7V or dropping resistor should be used to limit IC power dissipation.

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LM3915

Absolute Maximum Ratings (Note 1)
If Military/Aerospace specified devices are required, pleasecontact the National Semiconductor Sales Office/ Distributors for availability and specifications. Power Dissipation (Note 6) Molded DIP(N) Supply Voltage 1365 mW 25V

Voltage on Output Drivers Input Signal Overvoltage (Note 4) Divider Voltage Reference Load Current Storage Temperature Range Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10 sec.)

25V

± 35V
−100 mV to V+ 10 mA −55˚C to +150˚C 260˚CElectrical Characteristics (Notes 2, 4)
Parameter COMPARATOR Offset Voltage, Buffer and First Comparator Offset Voltage, Buffer and Any Other Comparator Gain (∆ILED/∆VIN) Input Bias Current (at Pin 5) Input Signal Overvoltage VOLTAGE-DIVIDER Divider Resistance Relative Accuracy (Input Change Between Any Two Threshold Points) Absolute Accuracy at Each Threshold Point Total, Pin 6 to 4 (Note 3) (Note 3)...