I am a new-bie in this forum but it looks great. I have a problem with 7-segment displays. I need some suggestions about managing 20 7-segment displays in 5 rows and each row include 4 7-seg. displays. What will be the best solution for this problem. 0.0.0.0. first row of 7-seg. diplay(include 4 digit) 0.0.0.0. second row of 7-seg. diplay(include 4 digit) 0.0.0.0. third row of 7-seg. diplay(include 4 digit) 0.0.0.0. fourth row of 7-seg. diplay(include 4 digit) 0.0.0.0. fifth row of 7-seg. diplay(include 4 digit) I appreciate any help
How are you looking to control them? Computer? Microcontroller? other? Maxim does a number of useful display drivers.
I intent to use pic microcontroller (16f877 or similar ones). I also want to use minimum number of pins since i will need other pins for different purposes
I should use 74hc595 shiftregisters for the anodes, use shiftregisters in combination with uln2803 to switch the kathodes. I am using this for my 14 segment hd44780 project. Use the apropriate resistors befor each segment. I sugest so hook up 8 displays max on each resistor, and multiplex them. if u do this, u do not need more than 3 io ports to drive them, as you can chain all the 595 registers.
