New VFD Controller Product Release --- HT16514

October 9, 2006

The HT16514 is a new character type Vacuum Fluorescent Display, VFD, controller device from Holtek. The device can drive up to 80 segments with up to 24 grids, for which 248 internal characters and 8 user definable characters are provided. Internal to the device is an 80x8 capacity display Data Memory which supports Motorola 68 series 4-bit or 8-bit parallel data transmission and Intel 80 series parallel and series data transmission.

The HT16514 device can accept a wide working voltage ranging from 2.7V to 5.5V, and can supply output voltages of 60V. The user can specify a selection of display modes, from a choice of 16 characters by 2 lines, 20 characters by 2 lines or 24 characters by 2 lines. Additionally, an external driver IC can be added to expand the display structure to 40 characters by 2 lines.

The HT16514 provides two standard fonts, making it significantly easier for users to display their required data in their VFD display applications. The device with the part number HT16514-001 is designed for European characters, while the device with the part number HT16514-002 is designed for Japanese characters. Both types of device are supplied in 144-pin LQFP (20mm x 20mm) type packages.

The application areas for the HT16514 are far ranging, some of which include Point of Sale Terminals, Media Centre PCs, Measuring instruments etc. and in fact any application which requires to display information.