Large LCD devices of 1" or
more exhibit a large driving capacitance to the driver circuits. To solve this problem,
the drive circuit shown (see the figure) introduces a buffer amplifier for each of the
three common lines. Each amplifier can be programmed independently for a quiescent current
of 10, 100, or 1000uA. In this application, the bias network applies a voltage that sets
the three quiescent currents to 100uA.
The display driver and triple op amp operate between 5V and ground, and the COM signals
range from 5V to approximately 1V. To ensure that these signals remain within the
amplifiers' common-mode range, the signals are attenuated by one-half and the buffers
operate at a gain of two. The circuit drives eight 1-inch displays, and is suitable for
ambient temperature variations of 15 degrees F or less. At the highest expected
temperature, R1 should be adjusted so that no "off" segments are visible. |