XD3915
XD3915
1FEATURES DESCRIPTION
•
2 3 dB/step, 30 dB Range The XD3915 is a monolithic integrated circuit that
senses analog voltage levels and drives ten LEDs,
• Drives LEDs, LCDs, or Vacuum Fluorescents LCDs or vacuum fluorescent displays, providing a
• Bar or Dot Display Mode Externally Selectable logarithmic 3 dB/step analog display. One pin
by User changes the display from a bar graph to a moving dot
• Expandable to Displays of 90 dB display. LED current drive is regulated and
programmable, eliminating the need for current
• Internal Voltage Reference from 1.2V to 12V limiting resistors. The whole display system can
• Operates with Single Supply of 3V to 25V operate from a single supply as low as 3V or as high
• Inputs Operate Down to Ground as 25V.
• Output Current Programmable from 1 mA to 30 The IC contains an adjustable voltage reference and
mA an accurate ten-step voltage divider. The high-
• Input Withstands ±35V without Damage or impedance input buffer accepts signals down to
ground and up to within 1.5V of the positive supply.
False Outputs
Further, it needs no protection against inputs of ±35V.
• Outputs are Current Regulated, Open The input buffer drives 10 individual comparators
Collectors referenced to the precision divider. Accuracy is
• Directly Drives TTL or CMOS typically better than 1 dB.
• The Internal 10-step Divider is Floating and The XD3915 dB/step display is suited for signals
can be Referenced to a Wide Range of with wide dynamic range, such as audio level, power,
Voltages light intensity or vibration. Audio applications include
The XD3915 is Rated for Operation from 0°C to average or peak level indicators, power meters and
RF signal strength meters. Replacing conventional
+70°C.
meters with an LED bar graph results in a faster
responding, more rugged display with high visibility
that retains the ease of interpretation of an analog
display.
The XD3915 is extremely easy to apply. A 1.2V full-
scale meter requires only one resistor in addition to
the ten LEDs. One more resistor programs the full-
scale anywhere from 1.2V to 12V independent of
supply voltage. LED brightness is easily controlled
with a single pot.
The XD3915 is very versatile. The outputs can drive
LCDs, vacuum fluorescents and incandescent bulbs
as well as LEDs of any color. Multiple devices can be
cascaded for a dot or bar mode display with a range
of 60 or 90 dB. XD3915 can also be cascaded with
XD3914 for a linear/log display or with XD3916 for
an extended-range VU meter.
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XD3915 DIP-18
Typical Applications
XD3915
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XD3915 DIP-18
(1) Absolute Maximum Ratings indicate limits beyond which damage to the device may occur. Operating Ratings indicate conditions for
which the device is functional, but do not ensure specific performance limits. Electrical Characteristics state DC and AC electrical
specifications under particular test conditions which ensure specific performance limits. This assumes that the device is within the
Operating Ratings. Specifications are not ensured for parameters where no limit is given, however, the typical value is a good indication
of device performance.
(2) The maximum junction temperature of the XD3915 is 100°C. Devices must be derated for operation at elevated temperatures. Junction
to ambient thermal resistance is 55°C/W for the PDIP (NFK package).
(3) Pin 5 input current must be limited to ±3 mA. The addition of a 39k resistor in series with pin 5 allows ±100V signals without damage.
(1) Unless otherwise stated, all specifications apply with the following conditions:
3 VDC ≤ V+ ≤ 20 VDC −0.015V ≤ VRLO ≤ 12 VDC TA = 25°C, IL(REF) = 0.2 mA, pin 9 connected to pin 3 (bar mode).
3 VDC ≤ VLED ≤ V+ VREF, VRHI, VRLO ≤ (V+ − 1.5V)
For higher power dissipations, pulse testing is used.−0.015V ≤ VRHI ≤ 12 VDC 0V ≤ VIN ≤ V+ − 1.5V
(2) Pin 5 input current must be limited to ±3 mA. The addition of a 39k resistor in series with pin 5 allows ±100V signals without damage.
(3) Accuracy is measured referred to 0 dB = + 10.000 VDC at pin 5, with + 10.000 VDC at pin 6, and 0.000 VDC at pin 4. At lower full scale
voltages, buffer and comparator offset voltage may add significant error. See Threshold Voltage.
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XD3915 DIP-18
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS(1)(2) (continued)
Parameter Conditions (1) Min Typ Max Units
VOLTAGE REFERENCE
Output Voltage 0.1 mA ≤ IL(REF) ≤ 4 mA,
1.2 1.28 1.34 V
V+ = VLED = 5V
Line Regulation 3V ≤ V+ ≤ 18V 0.01 0.03 %/V
Load Regulation 0.1 mA ≤ IL(REF) ≤ 4 mA,
0.4 2 %
V+ = VLED = 5V
Output Voltage Change with 0°C ≤ TA ≤ +70°C, IL(REF) = 1 mA,
1 %
Temperature V + = VLED = 5V
Adjust Pin Current 75 120 μA
OUTPUT DRIVERS
LED Current V + = VLED = 5V, IL(REF) = 1 mA 7 10 13 mA
LED Current Difference (Between VLED = 5V, ILED = 2 mA 0.12 0.4
VLED = 5V, ILED 20 mA mA
Largest and Smallest LED Currents) 1.2 3
LED Current Regulation 2V ≤ VLED ≤ 17V, ILED = 2 mA 0.1 0.25
ILED = 20 mA mA
1 3
Dropout Voltage ILED(ON) = 20 mA, @ VLED = 5V,
1.5 V
ΔILED = 2 mA
Saturation Voltage ILED = 2.0 mA, IL(REF) = 0.4 mA 0.15 0.4 V
(4)
Output Leakage, Each Collector (Bar Mode) 0.1 10 μA
(4)
Output Leakage (Dot Mode)
Pins 10–18 0.1 10 μA
Pin 1 60 150 450 μA
SUPPLY CURRENT
Standby Supply Current V+ = +5V, IL(REF) = 0.2 mA 2.4 4.2 mA
(All Outputs Off) V+ = +20V, IL(REF) = 1.0 mA
6.1 9.2 mA
+ +
(4) Bar mode results when pin 9 is within 20 mV of V . Dot mode results when pin 9 is pulled at least 200 mV below V . LED #10 (pin 10
output current) is disabled if pin 9 is pulled 0.9V or more below VLED.
(1) Accuracy is measured referred to 0 dB = + 10.000 VDC at pin 5, with + 10.000 VDC at pin 6, and 0.000 VDC at pin 4. At lower full scale
voltages, buffer and comparator offset voltage may add significant error. See Threshold Voltage.
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XD3915 DIP-18
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
Supply Current Operating Input Bias Current
vs vs
Temperature Temperature
Figure 2. Figure 3.
Figure 4. Figure 5.
Figure 6. Figure 7.
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XD3915 DIP-18
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS (continued)
LED Current
Input Current Beyond vs
Signal Range (Pin 5) Reference Loading
Figure 8. Figure 9.
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XD3915 DIP-18
BLOCK DIAGRAM
XD3915
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XD3915 DIP-18
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
The simplified XD3915 block diagram is included to give the general idea of the circuit's operation. A high input
impedance buffer operates with signals from ground to 12V, and is protected against reverse and overvoltage
signals. The signal is then applied to a series of 10 comparators; each of which is biased to a different
comparison level by the resistor string.
In the example illustrated, the resistor string is connected to the internal 1.25V reference voltage. In this case, for
each 3 dB that the input signal increases, a comparator will switch on another indicating LED. This resistor
divider can be connected between any 2 voltages, providing that they are at least 1.5V below V+ and no lower
than V−.
(1)
XD3915
Since the 120 μA current (max) from the adjust terminal represents an error term, the reference was designed to
minimize changes of this current with V+ and load changes. For correct operation, reference load current should
be between 80 μA and 5 mA. Load capacitance should be less than 0.05 μF.
CURRENT PROGRAMMING
A feature not completely illustrated by the block diagram is the LED brightness control. The current drawn out of
the reference voltage pin (pin 7) determines LED current. Approximately 10 times this current will be drawn
through each lighted LED, and this current will be relatively constant despite supply voltage and temperature
changes. Current drawn by the internal 10-resistor divider, as well as by the external current and voltage-setting
divider should be included in calculating LED drive current. The ability to modulate LED brightness with time, or
in proportion to input voltage and other signals can lead to a number of novel displays or ways of indicating input
overvoltages, alarms, etc.
The XD3915 outputs are current-limited NPN transistors as shown below. An internal feedback loop regulates
the transistor drive. Output current is held at about 10 times the reference load current, independent of output
voltage and processing variables, as long as the transistor is not saturated.
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XD3915 DIP-18
Outputs may be run in saturation with no adverse effects, making it possible to directly drive logic. The effective
saturation resistance of the output transistors, equal to RE plus the transistors' collector resistance, is about 50Ω.
It's also possible to drive LEDs from rectified AC with no filtering. To avoid oscillations, the LED supply should be
bypassed with a 2.2 μF tantalum or 10 μF aluminum electrolytic capacitor.
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XD3915 DIP-18
XD3915 XD3915
Power dissipation, especially in bar mode should be given consideration. For example, with a 5V supply and all
LEDs programmed to 20 mA the driver will dissipate over 600 mW. In this case a 7.5Ω resistor in series with the
LED supply will cut device heating in half. The negative end of the resistor should be bypassed with a 2.2 μF
solid tantalum capacitor to pin 2.
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XD3915 DIP-18
*DC Couple
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XD3915 DIP-18
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XD3915 DIP-18
A better approach shown in Figure 22 is to keep the reference at 10V for both XD3915 and amplify the input
signal to the lower XD3915 by 30 dB. Since two 1% resistors can set the amplifier gain within ±0.2 dB, a gain
trim is unnecessary. However, an op amp offset voltage of 5 mV will shift the first LED threshold as much as 4
dB, so that an offset trim may be required. Note that a single adjustment can null out offset in both the precision
rectifier and the 30 dB gain stage. Alternatively, instead of amplifying, input signals of sufficient amplitude can be
fed directly to the lower XD3915 and attenuated by 30 dB to drive the second XD3915.
XD3915 XD3915
XD3915 XD3915
To extend this approach to get a 90 dB display, another 30 dB of amplification must be placed in the signal path
ahead of the lowest XD3915. Extreme care is required as the lowest XD3915 displays input signals down to 0.5
mV! Several offset nulls may be required. High currents should not share the same path as the low level signal.
Also power line wiring should be kept away from signal lines.
Single XD3915
The equations in Figure 23 illustrate how to choose resistor values to set reference voltage for the simple case
where no LED intensity adjustment is required. A LED current of 10 mA to 20 mA generally produces adequate
illumination. Having 10V full-scale across the internal voltage divider gives best accuracy by keeping signal level
high relative to the offset voltage of the internal comparators. However, this causes 450 μA to flow from pin 7 into
the divider which means that the LED current will be at least 5 mA. R1 will typically be between 1 kΩ and 2 kΩ.
To trim the reference voltage, vary R2.
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XD3915 DIP-18
The circuit in Figure 24 shows how to add a LED intensity control which can vary LED current from 9 mA to 28
mA. The reference adjustment has some effect on LED intensity but the reverse is not true.
Multiple XD3915
Figure 25 shows how to obtain a common reference trim and intensity control for two XD3915. The two ICs may
be connected in cascade for a 60 dB display or may be handling separate channels for stereo. This technique
can be extended for larger numbers of XD3915 by varying the values of R1, R2 and R3 in inverse proportion to
the number of devices tied in. The ICs' internal references track within 100 mV so that worst case error from chip
to chip is only 0.1 dB for VREF = 10V.
XD3915
XD3915
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XD3915 DIP-18
XD3915 XD3915
Figure 25. Independent Adjustment of Reference Voltage and LED Intensity for Multiple XD3915
The scheme in Figure 26 is useful when the reference and LED intensity must be adjusted independently over a
wide range. The RHI voltage can be adjusted from 1.2V to 10V with no effect on LED current. Since the internal
divider here does not load down the reference, minimum LED current is much lower. At the minimum
recommended reference load of 80 μA, LED current is about 0.8 mA. The resistor values shown give a LED
current range from 1.5 mA to 20 mA.
At the low end of the intensity adjustment, the voltage drop across the 510Ω current-sharing resistors is so small
that chip to chip variation in reference voltage may yield a visible variation in LED intensity. The optional
approach shown of connecting the bottom end of the intensity control pot to a negative supply overcomes this
problem by allowing a larger voltage drop across the (larger) current-sharing resistors.
Other Applications
For increased resolution, it's possible to obtain a display with a smooth transition between LEDs. This is
accomplished by varying the reference level at pin 6 by 3 dBp-p as shown in Figure 27. The signal can be a
triangle, sawtooth or sine wave from 60 Hz to 1 kHz. The display can be run in either dot or bar mode.
When an exponentially decaying RC discharge waveform is applied to pin 5, the XD3915 outputs will switch at
equal intervals. This makes a simple timer or sequencer. Each time interval is equal to RC/3. The output may be
used to drive logic, opto-couplers, relays or PNP transistors, for example.
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XD3915 DIP-18
Typical Applications
XD3915 XD3915
XD3915
Figure 26. Wide-Range Adjustment of Reference Voltage and LED Intensity for Multiple XD3915
XD3915
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XD3915 DIP-18
XD3915 XD3915
This application shows that the LED supply requires minimal filtering.
*See Application Hints for optional Peak or Average Detector.
†Adjust R3 for 3 dB difference between LED #11 and LED #12.
XD3915
LED Threshold
1 60 mV
2 80 mV
3 110 mV
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XD3915 DIP-18
LED Threshold
4 160 mV
5 220 mV
6 320 mV
7 440 mV
8 630 mV
9 890 mV
10 1.25V
XD3915
*The input to the dot bar switch may be taken from cathodes of other LEDs.
Display will change to bar as soon as the LED so selected begins to light.
**Optional. Shunts 100 μA auxiliary sink current away from LED #1.
Figure 30. Indicator and Alarm, Full-Scale Changes Display from Dot to Bar
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XD3915 DIP-18
XD3915 XD3915
**Optional. Shunts 100 μA auxiliary sink current away from LED #11.
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XD3915 DIP-18
XD3915
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XD3915 DIP-18
XD3915
XD3915
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XD3915 DIP-18
XD3915
Full-scale causes the full bar display to flash. If the junction of R1 and C1 is connected to a different LED cathode, the
display will flash when that LED lights, and at any higher input signal.
XD3915
XD3915
Logarithmic response allows coarse and fine adjustments without changing scale.
Resolution ranges from 10 mV at VIN = 0 mV to 500 mV at VIN = ±1.25V.
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XD3915 DIP-18
XD3915
The LED currents are approximately 10 mA, and the XD3915 outputs operate in saturation for minimum dissipation.
*This point is partially regulated and decreases in voltage with temperature. Voltage requirements of the XD3915 also
decrease with temperature.
Figure 37. Operating with a High Voltage Supply (Dot Mode Only)
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XD3915 DIP-18
XD3915 XD3915
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XD3915 DIP-18
XD3915
Load
R1
Impedance
4Ω 10k
8Ω 18k
16Ω 30k
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XD3915 DIP-18
Connection Diagram
Definition of Terms
Absolute Accuracy: The difference between the observed threshold voltage and the ideal threshold voltage for
each comparator. Specified and tested with 10V across the internal voltage divider so that resistor ratio
matching error predominates over comparator offset voltage.
Adjust Pin Current: Current flowing out of the reference adjust pin when the reference amplifier is in the linear
region.
Comparator Gain: The ratio of the change in output current (ILED) to the change in input voltage (VIN) required to
produce it for a comparator in the linear region.
Dropout Voltage: The voltage measured at the current source outputs required to make the output current fall
by 10%.
Input Bias Current: Current flowing out of the signal input when the input buffer is in the linear region.
LED Current Regulation: The change in output current over the specified range of LED supply voltage (VLED)
as measured at the current source outputs. As the forward voltage of an LED does not change
significantly with a small change in forward current, this is equivalent to changing the voltage at the LED
anodes by the same amount.
Line Regulation: The average change in reference output voltage (VREF) over the specified range of supply
voltage (V+).
Load Regulation: The change in reference output voltage over the specified range of load current (IL(REF)).
Offset Voltage: The differential input voltage which must be applied to each comparator to bias the output in the
linear region. Most significant error when the voltage across the internal voltage divider is small. Specified
and tested with pin 6 voltage (VRHI) equal to pin 4 voltage (VRLO).
Relative Accuracy: The difference between any two adjacent threshold points. Specified and tested with 10V
across the internal voltage divider so that resistor ratio matching error predominates over comparator
offset voltage.
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XD3915 DIP-18
DIP
27
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