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STFPC311 VFD Controller
Front Panel VFD Controller with Stand-by Power Management

STFPC311 Product Page

The STFPC311 is a Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) driver and controller with built-in stand-by power management to the microcontroller (MCU). This new device represents a complete low-cost, integrated solution to control and drive a front panel VFD display.
The STFPC311 VFD driver and controller allows communication with the MCU through a 4-wire serial interface. It is also ideal for reducing power consumption when in stand-by mode. This is achieved by reducing the stand-by current of the application to a minimum. Several functions such as watchdog timers and remote control decoding protocols like Philips RC-5 and NEC are integrated.
STFPC311 VFD Controller
It also provides a muting capability to mute the audio before entering the stand-by power savings mode of operation. The STFPC311 supports 28 highvoltage outputs which can be used for displays ranging from 8-digits / 20-segments to 16-digits / 12-segments, making it ideal for driving a wide variety of bluish-green VFD displays. It works with a supply voltage of 3.0 to 3.6V and is available in the leadfree PQFP52 package.

Target Applications
The main applications of the STFPC311 are:
DVD players
Home theatre systems
Media center PCs and set-top-boxes
Home AV appliances
Point of sales (POS) equipment
Car stereos
Some industrial applications such as diagnostic and measurement equipment
STFPC311 application block diagram
STFPC311 application block diagram

Features and Benefits
Stand-by power management to the main DVD MPEG board
Wake-up from front panel/remote control keys
Audio management to the host prevents pop-sound during stand-by or wake-up
Supports various filament types (8 digits /20 segments up to 16 digits/12 segments)
Interfaces with the RTC through the IRQ on one of the key scan I/Os
Infrared decoder for Philips and NEC protocols
Integrated watchdog timer to detect abnormalities
Continuous key-scan even during stand-by
Ultra-low stand-by current consumption (400µA)
Attractive to qualify a DVD/STB system to meet energy savings requirements < 1W or 0.3W or 0.1W
Replaces the “MCU+VFD driver” two-chip solution with a single VFD controller
Easy to implement software thanks to the serial interface

Low-Cost, Highly Integrated Solution
This device is available in lead-free PQFP52 package with a pitch of 0.65mm which allows ease of PCB routing on a single-layer or double-layer Class 2 or Class 3 type PCB using a low-cost soldering technology.
Using a simple front-panel PCB, the device results in cost savings to the end manufacturer by eliminating the need of a two-chip architecture.It lowers the component count on the front panel board resulting in a low-cost, highly-integrated solution.

Selected VFD Controller Drivers
Part
number		 Display
type		 Features VCC
[V]		 Package
STFPC311 8 digits /
20 segments
to 16 digits /
12 segments		 12x2 keyscan matrix;
8-step dimming;
Stand-by management;
Infrared (IR) decoder;
Watchdog timer;
Audio mute output		 3.0
to
3.6		 PQFP52
STM86312 4 digits /
16 segment to
11 digits /
11 segments		 6x4 key-scan matrix;
8-step dimming		 4.5
to
5.5		 PQFP44

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