Okay, for those interested,
I smashed together some hardware prototype to start experimenting with LED displays.
From here I will attempt to modify the sw to get it running. (if ever…)
For now you can take a look at some pics of the proto hw:
http://www.angeltowns.com/members/driftz/
site can be a bit slowish tho…
comments will follow later.
Tips & comments welcomed ofcourse 
best regardz,
DriftZ
Okay, for those interested,
I smashed together some hardware prototype to start experimenting with LED displays.
From here I will attempt to modify the sw to get it running. (if ever…)
For now you can take a look at some pics of the proto hw:
http://www.angeltowns.com/members/driftz/
site can be a bit slowish tho…
comments will follow later.
Tips & comments welcomed ofcourse
best regardz,
DriftZ
Cool!
I’ve got some layouts done to connect 7 Segment LEDs to the DOUTs using dipswitches and diodes to use with the mbSID. I’m highly interested in a software version, though
Keep experimenting!
Cool!
I’ve got some layouts done to connect 7 Segment LEDs to the DOUTs using dipswitches and diodes to use with the mbSID. I’m highly interested in a software version, though
Keep experimenting!
Like I said, I’m going to *attempt*…
First I kinda need to learn by heart the PIC’s & SR’s datasheets, assembler and the MIOS instructions, then I need to decypher the examples & then… then… then it is probably xmas 2008 or so 8)
btw, the 2-1/2 displays I’m using are on Ebay starting at 1Euro for 16 pieces, the seller must hav loads of these I think.
greetz
Like I said, I’m going to *attempt*…
First I kinda need to learn by heart the PIC’s & SR’s datasheets, assembler and the MIOS instructions, then I need to decypher the examples & then… then… then it is probably xmas 2008 or so 8)
btw, the 2-1/2 displays I’m using are on Ebay starting at 1Euro for 16 pieces, the seller must hav loads of these I think.
greetz
I thought there was already such a module… like on Axel’s LC, for the timecode readout… see “get inspired”
I thought there was already such a module… like on Axel’s LC, for the timecode readout… see “get inspired”
I think on Axel’s ‘über-midibox’ (plain awesome, really!) he used the Midimon thing (PIC16F877)http://www.ucapps.de/midimon_en.html
The hardware connection on the DXOUT is the same in MIOS apps, but the software needs some altering, especially for the kind of displays I wanna use (if it is even possible) The final intention is to have a bunch of encoders with their corresponding value shown on a display (1 per enc) instead of LEDrings. I got more or less an idea of how it all shud work for the user (with channel & CC number settings etc) but I need to dig deep into MIOS & ASM .. I hope I dont encounter a ‘balrog’ on the way down :D
greetz
I think on Axel’s ‘über-midibox’ (plain awesome, really!) he used the Midimon thing (PIC16F877)http://www.ucapps.de/midimon_en.html
The hardware connection on the DXOUT is the same in MIOS apps, but the software needs some altering, especially for the kind of displays I wanna use (if it is even possible) The final intention is to have a bunch of encoders with their corresponding value shown on a display (1 per enc) instead of LEDrings. I got more or less an idea of how it all shud work for the user (with channel & CC number settings etc) but I need to dig deep into MIOS & ASM .. I hope I dont encounter a ‘balrog’ on the way down :D
greetz
'>http://www.angeltowns.com/members/driftz/func1.html
http://www.angeltowns.com/members/driftz/schem1.html
This is the current status of my idea;
I should be able to drive 16 of these displays with 3 DOUTX4’s. 4 full cycles to get all numbers displayed.
Though I’m a bit worried about the powerconsumption at SR00, perhaps it is necessary to put a transistor(??) at the red dot? (possible or ridiculous ?) :
'>http://www.angeltowns.com/members/driftz/func1.html
http://www.angeltowns.com/members/driftz/schem1.html
This is the current status of my idea;
I should be able to drive 16 of these displays with 3 DOUTX4’s. 4 full cycles to get all numbers displayed.
Though I’m a bit worried about the powerconsumption at SR00, perhaps it is necessary to put a transistor(??) at the red dot? (possible or ridiculous ?) :
Great solution, Driftz!
Yes, although the power-saving time multiplexing there are still so much LEDs which are activated at the same time that transistors at all SR0 outputs make sense. Alternatively you could use a ULN2803 (normaly used to drive relays, see MIDIO128 page)
Best Regards, Thorsten.
Great solution, Driftz!
Yes, although the power-saving time multiplexing there are still so much LEDs which are activated at the same time that transistors at all SR0 outputs make sense. Alternatively you could use a ULN2803 (normaly used to drive relays, see MIDIO128 page)
Best Regards, Thorsten.
Hi guys,
Just thought I’d offer a suggestion for driving 7 segment displays. MAXIM produce an excellent range of LED display driver IC’s that really would cut all your hard work. Two that come to mind are the MAX6955 and the MAX7219. I haven’t used the 6955 though I have a few that I am yet to play with. The 7219 I have used many times with great success. It works pretty much the same as the DOUT module and has the benefit of being able to drive 8x7segment displays directly. Its also a far cheaper way of doing what you want.
Have a read here
http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/3540/ln/en
http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/1339
These should really be considered as they will cut your developement time immensely. Hope this info is of some help.
Cheers
Hi guys,
Just thought I’d offer a suggestion for driving 7 segment displays. MAXIM produce an excellent range of LED display driver IC’s that really would cut all your hard work. Two that come to mind are the MAX6955 and the MAX7219. I haven’t used the 6955 though I have a few that I am yet to play with. The 7219 I have used many times with great success. It works pretty much the same as the DOUT module and has the benefit of being able to drive 8x7segment displays directly. Its also a far cheaper way of doing what you want.
Have a read here
http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/3540/ln/en
http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/1339
These should really be considered as they will cut your developement time immensely. Hope this info is of some help.
Cheers
TK: cool, tnx for the confirmation, finally I had an idea that *works* ;D
cem3340:
Thanks, I appreciate & will take into consideration any/everything that makes it simpler, faster, cheaper.
I had a quick look at the spec sof these 7seg drivers & a few remarks/questions arose.. (keep in mind I never had an electronics education)
-The maxim chips, it looks they would be a great improvement for direct-driven displays, but the ones I wanna use (& already have in my possesion) have multiplexed connections. (see schematics) I already have the code to make the 4 cycles work, I just need to figure out howto fit the Encoder values, basically, which bit to set in the appropriate SR per cycle (the pin numbers per SR correspond to the Encoder number, quite convenient I guess So at this point I think I’m closer to a working program than when I would need to figure out from scratch howto connect & address the maxims to my displays.
-For cost-reasons… I got plenty of transistors here, no idea what those maxims cost.
But I am grateful for your suggestion as I have also a bunch of ‘normal’ single-digit displays coming
cheerz
Driftz
TK: cool, tnx for the confirmation, finally I had an idea that *works* ;D
cem3340:
Thanks, I appreciate & will take into consideration any/everything that makes it simpler, faster, cheaper.
I had a quick look at the spec sof these 7seg drivers & a few remarks/questions arose.. (keep in mind I never had an electronics education)
-The maxim chips, it looks they would be a great improvement for direct-driven displays, but the ones I wanna use (& already have in my possesion) have multiplexed connections. (see schematics) I already have the code to make the 4 cycles work, I just need to figure out howto fit the Encoder values, basically, which bit to set in the appropriate SR per cycle (the pin numbers per SR correspond to the Encoder number, quite convenient I guess So at this point I think I’m closer to a working program than when I would need to figure out from scratch howto connect & address the maxims to my displays.
-For cost-reasons… I got plenty of transistors here, no idea what those maxims cost.
But I am grateful for your suggestion as I have also a bunch of ‘normal’ single-digit displays coming
cheerz
Driftz
No problems Driftz  :)
I understand from what I see you have already achieved
you are very close to what you are suggesting. The MAX7219 is very flexible in the way you address the output pins. I have even used one to drive 64 LED’s individually. With a bit of coding, you should be able to do the same as what you currently doing, but as you say, you are very close as it is and would be a bit of a waste of time.
I’d still suggest anyone attempting similar to give these IC’s a good look. I dont know what the retail cost per piece would be but it wouldn’t be very much. MAXIM sell them at 8 bucks/1000 and if you consider the cost of transistors, individual shift registers to do the same function it would certainly be cheaper to use a 7219. If you ask MAXIM nicely, they are more than happy to send a few samples to you 
chain 2 together and you get 16x7segments
An example of the ease of use…you have a box with 8 encoders/pots above which you wish to display the current value of each controller. Each one would need 3 digits ( a total of 24 digits ) Using just 3xMAX7219 and 3 outputs from PIC you could achieve this. No need for additional driver transistors and considering the 7219 is a 24 pin device a huge PCB area saving. Very nice indeed.
http://pdfserv.maxim-ic.com/en/ds/MAX7219-MAX7221.pdf
And BTW…No I’m not a MAXIM sales rep… ;D
No problems Driftz  :)
I understand from what I see you have already achieved
you are very close to what you are suggesting. The MAX7219 is very flexible in the way you address the output pins. I have even used one to drive 64 LED’s individually. With a bit of coding, you should be able to do the same as what you currently doing, but as you say, you are very close as it is and would be a bit of a waste of time.
I’d still suggest anyone attempting similar to give these IC’s a good look. I dont know what the retail cost per piece would be but it wouldn’t be very much. MAXIM sell them at 8 bucks/1000 and if you consider the cost of transistors, individual shift registers to do the same function it would certainly be cheaper to use a 7219. If you ask MAXIM nicely, they are more than happy to send a few samples to you
chain 2 together and you get 16x7segments
An example of the ease of use…you have a box with 8 encoders/pots above which you wish to display the current value of each controller. Each one would need 3 digits ( a total of 24 digits ) Using just 3xMAX7219 and 3 outputs from PIC you could achieve this. No need for additional driver transistors and considering the 7219 is a 24 pin device a huge PCB area saving. Very nice indeed.
http://pdfserv.maxim-ic.com/en/ds/MAX7219-MAX7221.pdf
And BTW…No I’m not a MAXIM sales rep… ;D