LED matrix display Driver

When you need some help operating most LEDs, the MAX7219 is the greatest friend you can expect. Most of us realize that if you'd like to get a handle on plenty of LEDs, it is additionally vital to make use of multiplexing, a method that allows you to manage 64 LEDs (state) with only 16 pins (8x8). The irritating thing about 'plexing is that you must utilize 8 energy transistors (or a power register/latch, that may provide over 100mA per pin) along with to continuously refresh the screen to keep the image stable. If you wish to get anything together rapidly, or do not want to make use of writing all of that signal, and especially if you would like clean wiring, this processor chip is the one-stop-solution!

The MAX7219 does all the control and refresh be right for you in driving either an 8x8 matrix show or 8 x 7-segment shows (usually these have a dot so its really an 8-segment screen) - 64 LEDs total. What you need to do is send it serial instructions via the 4-pin SPI screen and it surely will auto-magically look after the remainder. Wiring is simplified aswell, you merely have to set current amount for several LEDs with one resistor rather than 8 and you will additionally dim the whole show digitally. It really is a thru-hole processor chip to use it in any breadboard, perfboard or other task, although if you should be soldering it in, we recommend making use of a socket.