Our microcontrollers (MCUs) with an integrated LCD controller offer the following benefits for segmented displays:
- Support direct LCD panel drive capability; no external components needed
- Lower system cost
- Generate different voltage levels through integrated voltage bias generation
- Support a range of fixed and variable bias options and variable clock inputs
Key Features of MCUs with an Integrated LCD Controller
Software Contrast Control
- Use firmware to boost or dim the contrast of the display
- Boost the contrast up to VDD or beyond using MCUs with an integrated charge pump
- Vary the contrast on the LCD to account for different operating conditions such as temperature, lighting and humidity
- Invaluable for portable applications especially when the battery level drops
picoPower® Technology
- Ultra-low-power MCUs (490 nA backup with Real-Time Clock (RTC), 39 uA/MHz active)
- Faster wake-up times and on-the fly user-selectable performance levels
- Event System, SleepWalking peripherals and multiple power domains
- LCD with Direct Memory Access (DMA) and SleepWalking support
eXtreme Low Power Technology
- Lowest power (sleep currents down to 20 nA, active mode currents down to 50 µA/MHz) for longest battery life
- Sleep mode flexibility: RAM retention, fast wake-up and flexible wake-up sources
- Brown-out rest down to 45 nA provides protection as batteries are depleted
- Watchdog Timer down to 200 nA provides protection against system failure
- RTC down to 400 nA provides precise timekeeping
- Drive glass in sleep mode, for reduced power consumption and longer battery life
Peripheral Touch Controller
- Supports low-power, high-sensitivity, robust touch buttons, sliders and wheels
- Supports up to 256 mutual-capacitance channels and up to 32 self-capacitance channels
- Low power consumption: 4 uA standby with multi-button wake-up on touch
Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU)
- Provides constant current source with a range from 0.550 µA to 550 µA
- Used in applications like capacitive touch, time domain reflectometry, humidity measurement, precise time measurement, temperature measurement and more
Real-Time Clock and Calendar (RTCC)
- Available in many PIC® MCUs for timekeeping and calendar applications
- Can be calibrated and provides hours, minutes, and seconds using the 24-hour format
- Highly configurable alarm and can wake up external devices without CPU intervention
- Can run in deep sleep mode and is optimized for long-term battery operation
- Reduces cost and speeds up development, especially in applications which require display of time or day
Featured Product: PIC24F ‘GU/GL/GP” MCUs with Core-Independent Autonomous Animation
Animations like alternating between displays, blinking and blanking of pixels are common in most LCDs. The PIC24F ‘GU/GL/GP’ family of MCUs features an integrated LCD driver with autonomous animation to offload most of these animation routines from the CPU. This allows you to enable animation in power-saving modes while the CPU is in doze, idle or sleep mode.
Autonomous Blinking
Alternating Display
Animation in Low-Power Modes
Products
- MCUs with Integrated LCD Controller Product Family
- LCD Display A/D Products
- Stand-Alone LCD Driver
| Product | Display Type | Resolution (Digits) | Resolution (Counts) | For DMM, DPM, Data Logger | Hold Function | Temperature Range (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TC7106 | LCD | 3.5 | 2000 | Yes | No | -25 to 85 |
| TC7106A | LCD | 3.5 | 2000 | No | Yes | -25 to 85 |
| TC7107 | LED | 3.5 | 2000 | No | Yes | -25 to 85 |
| TC7107A | LED | 3.5 | 2000 | No | Yes | -25 to 85 |
| TC7116 | LCD | 3.5 | 2000 | No | Yes | -25 to 85 |
| TC7116A | LCD | 3.5 | 2000 | No | Yes | -25 to 85 |
| TC7117 | LED | 3 | 2000 | No | Yes | -25 to 85 |
| TC7117A | LED | 3 | 2000 | No | Yes | -25 to 85 |
| TC7126 | LCD | 3.5 | 2000 | No | No | -25 to 85 |
| TC7126A | LCD | 3.5 | 2000 | No | No | -25 to 85 |
| TC7129 | LCD | 4.5 | 20000 | No | No | 0 to 70 |
| Product | Status | 5K Pricing | Drives No of segments | Control Lines Required | No of characters | Cascadable | On-chip oscillator | CMOS and TTL-compatible inputs | Electrostatic discharge protection on all pins | Packages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AY0438 | In Production | $2.15 | 32 | 3 | 16 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 40/PDIP, 44/PLCC |
Documents
- Application Notes
- Other
| Title | Download |
|---|---|
| AN563 - Using PIC16C5x Microcontrollers as LCD Drivers | Download |
| AT13155: SAM L22 Segment Liquid Crystal Display (SLCD) Controller | Download |
| TB1098 - Low-Power Techniques for LCD Applications | Download |
| AN781 - Solving Sensor Offset Problems (TC7106) | Download |
| AN582 - Low-Power Real-Time Clock | Download |
| AN658 - LCD Fundamentals and the LCD Driver Module of 8-Bit PIC Microcontrollers | Download |
| AN1428 - LCD Biasing and Contrast Control Methods | Download |
| AN587 - Interfacing PICmicro® MCUs to an LCD Module | Download |
| AN1070 - Driving Liquid Crystal Displays with the PIC16F913/914/916/917/946 | Download |
| Title | Download |
|---|---|
| LCD Tips and Tricks | Download |
New PIC24F GU/GL Family of Low Power MCUs
The PIC24F ‘GU/GL’ family of eXtreme Low Power (XLP) microcontrollers (MCUs) enables the development of an array of innovative applications, both with and without displays. Packed with many Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that can function in power-saving modes, these MCUs offer ultra-low-power operation for battery-powered and power-conscious IoT designs.
New PIC24F GU/GL Family of Low Power MCUs
New PIC24F GU/GL Family of Low Power MCUs
The PIC24F ‘GU/GL’ family of eXtreme Low Power (XLP) microcontrollers (MCUs) enables the development of an array of innovative applications, both with and without displays. Packed with many Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) that can function in power-saving modes, these MCUs offer ultra-low-power operation for battery-powered and power-conscious IoT designs.
PIC® MCU Solutions for LCD Displays
Microchip's LCD PIC microcontroller family is a Flash-based, power managed family of LCD-enabled microcontrollers. Microchips LCD PIC microcontroller family meets low power design requirements including driving the LCD display in sleep mode while maintaining desired functional features. With the ability to select from an array of available LCD PIC microcontrollers, a designer can provide additional value by creating scalable designs and products. This gives the designer flexibility to offer different solutions based on the demand of varying market segments all from a single design.
