LM3914N Display Driver: Datasheet, Pinout and Comparison

The LM3914N is a monolithic integrated circuit that senses analog voltage levels and drives 10 LEDs, providing a linear analog display. The circuit can drive LEDs of many colors, or low-current incandescent lamps. Many LM3914N can be “chained” to form displays of 20 to over 100 segments.

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Texas Instruments LM3914N-1 technical specifications, attributes, parameters and parts with similar specifications to Texas Instruments LM3914N-1.

• Drives LEDs, LCDs or Vacuum Fluorescents

• Bar or Dot Display Mode Externally Selectable by User

• Expandable to Displays of 100 Steps

• Internal Voltage Reference from 1.2V to 12V

• Operates with Single Supply of Less than 3V

• Inputs Operate Down to Ground

• Output Current Programmable from 2 mA to 30 mA

• No Multiplex Switching or Interaction Between Outputs

• Input Withstands ±35V without Damage or False Outputs

• LED Driver Outputs are Current Regulated, Open-collectors

• Outputs can Interface with TTL or CMOS Logic

• The Internal 10-step Divider is Floating and can be referenced to a Wide Range of Voltages

The simplifed LM3914 block diagram is to give the general idea of the circuit’s operation. A high input impedance buffer operates with signals from ground to 12V, and is protected against reverse and overvoltage signals. The signal is then applied to a series of 10 comparators; each of which is biased to a different comparison level by the resistor string.

• Bar graph meter

• Bar display with alarm flasher

• 20-step meter with single pot brightness control

• Multi-step or "staging" controller

• Combined controller and process deviation meter

• Direction and rate indicator (to add to DVMs)

• Exclamation point display for power saving

The reference is designed to be adjustable and develops a nominal 1.25V between the REF OUT (pin 7) and REF ADJ (pin 8) terminals. The reference voltage is impressed across program resistor R1 and, since the voltage is constant, a constant current I1 then flows through the output set resistor R2 giving an output voltage of

Since the 120μA current (max) is from adjust terminal represents an error term, the reference was designed to minimize changes of this current with V + and load changes.

LM3914 is a linear display. LM3915 is a 3db increments logarithmic display. LM3916 is a VU-Meter display. (-20 to +3db)

The LM3914 is typically used to create a voltage display using 10 LEDs, while the LM3915 and LM3916 are typically used to display audio signal using 10 LEDs.

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Download datasheets and manufacturer documentation for Texas Instruments LM3914N-1.