General Description
The MAX6850 compact vacuum-fluorescent display (VFD) controller provides microprocessors with the multiplex timing for 7-segment, 14-segment, or 16-segment alphanumeric VFD displays up to 96 characters and controls industry-standard, shift-register, high-voltage grid/anode VFD tube drivers. The device supports display tubes using either one or two digits per grid, as well as universal displays. Hardware is included to simplify the generation of cathode bias and filament supplies and to provide up to five logic outputs, including a buzzer driver. The MAX6850 provides an internal crosspoint switch to match any tube-driver shift-register grid/anode order, and is compatible with both chip-inglass and external tube drivers.

Features
♦ High-Speed 26MHz SPI-/QSPI-/MICROWIRE™-Compatible Serial Interface
♦ 2.7V to 3.6V Operation
♦ Controls Up to 48 Grids of 7-Segment, 14-Segment, or 16-Segment Alphanumeric Digits
♦ One Digit and Two Digits per Grid and Universal Displays Supported
♦ 16-Step Digital Brightness Control
♦ Built-In ASCII 104-Character Font
♦ 24 User-Definable Characters
♦ Up to Four Annunciators per Grid with Automatic Blinking Control
♦ Separate Cursor Control with Automatic Blinking
♦ Filament Drive Full-Bridge Waveform Synthesis
♦ Buzzer Tone Generator with Single-Ended or Push-Pull Driver
♦ Up to Five General-Purpose Logic Outputs
♦ 9µA Low-Power Shutdown (Data Retained)
♦ 16-Pin QSOP Package

Applications
   Display Modules
   Retail POS Displays
   Weight and Tare Displays
   Bar Graph Displays
   Industrial Controllers
   White Goods
   Professional Audio Equipment