Latest revision as of 21:28, 13 November 2008

Segmented displays and LEDs

Common types of segmented displays are

• 7 segment displays (many also include a decimal point, therefore they can contain 8 LEDs)
• alphanumeric (can display numbers 0-9 and letters A-Z)
  • these are sometimes called 'starburst' segment displays
  • number of segments depending on type, eg 16 plus decimal dot (Kingbright PSA/PSC 08)
• dot matrix, eg 5x7 dots (Kingbright TA/TC 07)
• bargraph, several different types available. (eg. Kingbright DC-10 with 10 LEDS)

Electrically, there are two types of segmented displays:

• common cathode (CC)
• common anode (CA)

When you buy displays, you'll always see either CC or CA. Most displays can be bought in both variants.

Common cathode type displays seem to be more commonly used than the common anode type. This fact is often mirrored in the prices: CC is usually a bit cheaper than CA.

PHCC can control both types. See below for boards for CC and for CA.

Seven Segment Displays are commonly used in homecockpits in various places:

• MCP/Autopilot for heading, altitude, vertical speed and airspeed/mach
• radio tuning panels
• ADF radio
• INS/IRS on some types
• fuel qty on some types

Available or planned Daughterboards

Segmented displays (7-segment, 14-segment, starburst, etc), LED bargraphs, as well as individual LEDs can be driven by the following controllers:

• DOA_7seg (both common anode and common cathode)
• DOA_7seg_2803 (older, common-cathode only revision of DOA_7seg)
• DOA_7seg_2981 (older, common-anode only revision of DOA_7seg)
• DOA_630_2803 (old, runs only on slower DOA clocks)
• DOA_877_4067 (old, runs only on slower DOA clocks)