The LM3914 is an integrated circuit, designed by National Semiconductor in 1980, used to operate displays that visually show the magnitude of an analog signal. It can drive up to 10 LEDs, LCDs, or vacuum fluorescent displays on its outputs. The linear scaling of the output thresholds makes the device usable, for example, as a voltmeter. In the basic configuration it provides a ten step scale which is expandable to over 100 segments with other LM3914 ICs in series.

Features

Drives LEDs, LCDs or vacuum fluorescents

Bar or dot display mode externally selectable by user

Expandable to displays of 100 steps

Internal voltage reference from 1.2V to 12V

Operates with single supply of less than 3V

Inputs operate down to ground

Output current programmable from 2 mA to 30 mA

No multiplex switching or interaction between outputs

Input withstands ± 35V without damage or false outputs

LED driver outputs are current regulated,

open-collectors

n Outputs can interface with TTL or CMOS logic

n The internal 10-step divider is floating and can be

referenced to a wide range of voltages