7 segments kickoff

[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

[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

[nILS]

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!

[nILS]

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!

[DriftZ]

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

[DriftZ]

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

[Steven_C]

I thought there was already such a module... like on Axel's LC, for the timecode readout... see "get inspired"

[Steven_C]

I thought there was already such a module... like on Axel's LC, for the timecode readout... see "get inspired"

[DriftZ]

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

[DriftZ]

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

[DriftZ]

'>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 ?)  ::)

[DriftZ]

'>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 ?)  ::)

[TK.]

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.

[TK.]

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.

[Guest cem3340]

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

[Guest cem3340]

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

[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

[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

[Guest cem3340]

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 :D

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

[Guest cem3340]

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 :D

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

[DriftZ]

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://www.reichelt.de/Info.html?P0Pl-qwQAQsAAH6NuyQ+Suche+0+50+MAX%207219%20CNG+max7219

that makes 3x 8.8Euro = 26.4Euro for 8x 3digit displays...

I got 8 x BC639 transistors at 0.07Euro / piece ... (for 24x 2-1/2 displays)  ;)

[DriftZ]

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://www.reichelt.de/Info.html?P0Pl-qwQAQsAAH6NuyQ+Suche+0+50+MAX%207219%20CNG+max7219

that makes 3x 8.8Euro = 26.4Euro for 8x 3digit displays...

I got 8 x BC639 transistors at 0.07Euro / piece ... (for 24x 2-1/2 displays)  ;)

[d2k]

Hey...

I like this idea...:)

Would it be possible to substitute the LED rings for digits for the encoders in the LC emu (whilst keep the LED Meters)? I'd prefer the maxim IC solution to reduce component brd consumption...

I'm guessin it'll be fine to use them - but will need some extra coding in the LC app to convert the data that'd normally go to the LED rings to the 7segment digits instead...right? Any pointers on this....?

But then again, with this MBTV can't we just have all data on TV and flik thru pages like TeleText? :P

Nice work...!

[d2k]

Hey...

I like this idea...:)

Would it be possible to substitute the LED rings for digits for the encoders in the LC emu (whilst keep the LED Meters)? I'd prefer the maxim IC solution to reduce component brd consumption...

I'm guessin it'll be fine to use them - but will need some extra coding in the LC app to convert the data that'd normally go to the LED rings to the 7segment digits instead...right? Any pointers on this....?

But then again, with this MBTV can't we just have all data on TV and flik thru pages like TeleText? :P

Nice work...!

[TK.]

Would it be possible to substitute the LED rings for digits for the encoders in the LC emu (whilst keep the LED Meters)? I'd prefer the maxim IC solution to reduce component brd consumption...

The Mackie protocol doesn't send the absolute position of encoders, but only the LED pattern. So digits are not really helpful.

But then again, with this MBTV can't we just have all data on TV and flik thru pages like TeleText?

sure - maybe an option which will be provided next year from my side, but if anybody else wants to program it, just try it - the basics still exist.

Best Regards, Thorsten.