The LM3916 is a monolithic integrated circuit that senses analog voltage levels and drives ten LEDs, LCDs, or vacuum fluorescent displays, providing an electronic version of the popular VU meter. One pin changes the display from a bar graph to a moving dot display. LED current drive is regulated and programmable, eliminating the need for current limiting resistors. The whole display system can operate from a single supply as low as 3V or as high as 25V. The IC contains an adjustable voltage reference and an accurate ten-step voltage divider. The high-impedance input buffer accepts signals down to the ground and up to within 1.5V of the positive supply. Further, it needs no protection against inputs of ±35V.
The input buffer drives 10 individual comparators referenced to the precision divider. Accuracy is typically better than 0.2 dB. Audio applications include average or peak level indicators, power meters, and RF signal strength meters. Replacing conventional meters with an LED bar graph results in a faster responding, more rugged display with high visibility that retains the ease of interpretation of an analog display. The LM3916 is extremely easy to apply. A 1.2V full-scale meter requires only one resistor in addition to the ten LEDs. One more resistor programs the full-scale anywhere from 1.2V to 12V independent of the supply voltage. LED brightness is easily controlled with a single pot.
LM3916 Pinout
LM3916 Pin Configuration
| Pin No | Pin Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LED NO 1 | Led No 1 |
| 2 | V- | -ve Voltage Pin |
| 3 | V+ | +ve Voltage Pin |
| 4 | DIVIDER (LOW END) | Divider (Low End) |
| 5 | SIGNAL INPUT | Signal Input Pin |
| 6 | DIVIDER (HIGH END) | Divider(High End) |
| 7 | REFERENCE OUTPUT | Reference Output Pin |
| 8 | REFERENCE ADJUST | Reference Adjust Pin |
| 9 | MODE SELECT | Mode Select Pin |
| 10 | LED NO. 10 | Led No 10 Pin |
| 11 | LED NO. 9 | Led No 9 Pin |
| 12 | LED NO. 8 | Led No 8 Pin |
| 13 | LED NO. 7 | Led No 7 Pin |
| 14 | LED NO. 6 | Led No 6 Pin |
| 15 | LED NO. 5 | Led No 5 Pin |
| 16 | LED NO. 4 | Led No 4 Pin |
| 17 | LED NO. 3 | Led No 3 Pin |
| 18 | LED NO. 2 | Led No 2 Pin |
LM3916 Features
- Fast responding electronic VU meter
- Bar or dot display mode externally selectable by user
- Expandable to displays of 70 dB
- Internal voltage reference from 1.2V to 12V
- Operates with single supply of 3V to 25V
- Inputs operate down to ground
- Output current programmable from 1 mA to 30 mA
- Input withstands ±35V without damage or false outputs
- Outputs are current regulated, open collectors
- Directly drives TTL or CMOS
- The internal 10-step divider is floating and can be referenced to a wide range of voltages
Application
- Average or peak level indicators
- Power meters
- RF signal strength meters
You can download this datasheet for LM3916 VU Meter Display Driver – Datasheet from the link given below:
