Dot/Bar Display Driver - LM3914 (Linear)

The LM3914 is an analogue-controlled dot/bar display driver that can drive a string of 10 or more LEDs from a single analogue input signal. It uses a linear output scale, dividing the input voltage range into 10 equal steps. Each step illuminates an additional LED in bar mode, or a single LED in dot mode — selectable via an external pin.

With minimal external components, the LM3914 makes it straightforward to build LED bar graph meters, VU meters, and level indicators. A basic full-scale meter (1.2 V) requires just one resistor and a 3–15 V supply in addition to the 10 LEDs.

Key Features

• Bar or Dot Mode – Externally selectable display mode
• Linear Scale – Input voltage divided into 10 equal steps
• Internal Voltage Reference – Adjustable from 1.2 V to 12 V
• Low Supply Voltage – Operates from a single supply as low as 3 V
• Cascadable – Chain multiple ICs for displays up to 100 steps
• Versatile Outputs – Drives LEDs, LCDs, vacuum fluorescent displays, or interfaces with TTL/CMOS logic

Specifications

• IC – LM3914 (DIP-18)
• Output Channels – 10
• Supply Voltage – 3–25 V
• Internal Reference – 1.2–12 V
• Scale Type – Linear

Ideal For

• LED bar graph meters and VU meters
• Battery level indicators
• Analogue signal level displays

Resources

• LM3914 Datasheet (PDF)
• Dot/Bar Display Driver Hookup Guide

Package Contents

• 1× LM3914 Dot/Bar Display Driver IC