MAX7219 8 Digit LED Display Driver Overview [Video]

The MAX7219 is an IC designed to control 8x8 LED MATRIX. The IC is a serial input common-cathode (Common Negative) display driver that interfaces microprocessors (or microcontrollers) to 7-segment numeric LED displays of up to 8 digits, bar-graph displays, or 64 individual LEDs.

This blog is an overview of MAX7219 covering its pinout, features, where and how to use this device, etc.

Arduino 7 Segment Display Max7219 Tutorial

Catalog

MAX7912 Pin Configuration

MAX7219	MAX7219 PINOUT

MAX7912 Features

• Operating voltage range: +4.0 to +5.5V

• Recommended operating voltage: +5V

• Maximum supply voltage: 6V

• Maximum current allowed to draw through each segment pin: 100mA

• Maximum current allowed to  through each DIGIT ground pin: 500mA

• Low power consumption

• Data-to-Segment Delay Time: 2.2mSec

• Operating temperature: 0°C  to +70°C

• Storage Temperature: -65°C  to +150°C

MAX7912 Equivalent

74HC595

Where to Use MAX7912 IC

1.This IC is basically used when you want to convert serial data to parallel data.

2.The chip is used to reduce the I/O pin use of the controller or processor.

3. Used for controlling 64 LEDs using only 3 pins

4. Preferred when controller 7 Segment Displays. The chip can control up to 8 DIGIT.

5. Can be used to control more display segments by connecting more chips in serial.

How to Use Max7912 IC

MAX7219  is used in a similar manner to any shift register. First we send the serial data to the chip bit by bit. Once all the data is sent, we tell the chip to move the serial data to the output by enabling the CS pin. The step-by-step working procedure is as follows.

• First connect the DIN, CS and CLK pins. These three pins are very important for controlling the chip.

• Next is selecting the resistance for the ISET pin. As we know, there is no standard market parameter for segment displays. They have different voltage and current settings. To drive the display without error, we will use the following table to select the appropriate resistor.

• There are two ways to make use of this chip. One is to follow the instructions in the datasheet to send the data bit by bit. The second way is to use the libraries that have already been written for this chip. Using libraries is the easiest way to get the required result. With libraries, you can simply enter the required data to send without worrying about anything.

• We'll send the data to the chip through the DIN pin. The data is sent bit by bit by setting the chip clock for each bit. The Chip stores the serial data in its registers until all data is received. After completing the data sent, we will set the CS pin for the chip to transfer all the data stored in the register to the output.

• Once the data is output by the chip, the corresponding LEDs will be illuminated to display the result.

MAX7912 Applications

• General purpose SHIFT operation

• Measuring Instruments

• Digital Electronics

• Servers

• Memory units

• Networking

• Digital systems

MAX7912 Dimensions

Component Datasheet

MAX7219 LED Display Driver Datasheet

Ordering & Quality

Photo	Mfr. Part #	Company	Description	Package	PDF	Qty	Pricing (USD)
	MAX7219CNG	Company:Maxim Integrated	Remark:LED Driver 24-PDIP	Package:24-DIP (0.300"", 7.62mm)	DataSheet	In Stock:On Order Inquiry	Price: 46+: $5.43913	Inquiry
	MAX7219CNG	Company:Maxim Integrated	Remark:IC DRVR 7 SEGMENT 8 DIGIT 24DIP	Package:24-DIP (0.300", 7.62mm)	DataSheet	In Stock:2171 Inquiry	Price: 1+: $8.94000 10+: $8.07400 25+: $7.69800 100+: $6.38390 250+: $5.82060 500+: $5.77364	Inquiry
	MAX7219CWG	Company:Maxim Integrated	Remark:LED Driver 24-SOIC	Package:24-SOIC (0.295"", 7.50mm Width)	DataSheet	In Stock:On Order Inquiry	Price: 42+: $5.98000	Inquiry
	MAX7219CWG	Company:Maxim Integrated	Remark:IC DRVR 7 SEGMNT 8 DIGIT 24SOIC	Package:24-SOIC (0.295", 7.50mm Width)	DataSheet	In Stock:1401 Inquiry	Price: 1+: $9.30000 10+: $8.40200 25+: $8.01080 100+: $6.64330 250+: $6.05708 500+: $6.00824	Inquiry