LM3915 Dot or Bar Display Driver IC

The LM3915 designed as a monolithic integrated circuit capable of sensing analog voltage levels. Also it drives ten LEDs, LCDs, or vacuum fluorescent displays, providing a logarithmic 3 dB/step analog display. In this display driver IC, One pin switches the display from a bar graph to a moving dot display. Meanwhile, the LED current drive comes as regulated and programmable, eliminating the need for current limiting resistors. The whole LM3915 Dot or Bar display system operate from a single supply as low as 3V or as high as 25V.

The IC designed with an adjustable voltage reference and an accurate ten-step voltage divider. These high impedance input buffer receive signals down to the ground and up to 1.5V of the positive supply.  Moreover, itdoes not require any protection against inputs of ±35V. It offers accuracy at a range typically better than 1 dB.  The LM3915’s 3 dB/step display perfect for a wide range of applications specifically for signals with a wide dynamic range, such as audio level, power, light intensity, or vibration. Audio applications such as average/peak level indicators, power meters andRF signal strength meters. The LM3915 designed to operates at a temperature ranging from 0°C +70°C. The LM3915 manufactured in  an 18 lead PDIP Package.

In most display system, replacing the conventional meters with an LED bar graph results in a faster responding,as well as  more rugged display. Thus offers high visibility resulting in easy interpretation of an analog display. The LM3915 is very versatile. The outputs can drive LCDs, vacuum fluorescents and incandescent bulbsas well as LEDs of any color. For a dot or bar mode display multiple devices cascaded with a range of 60 or 90 dB. LM3915s can also be cascaded withLM3914s for a linear/log display or with LM3916s for an extended-range VU meter.