SparkFun
SparkFun Large Digit Driver
The SparkFun Large Digit Driver is a chainable controller board that solders directly to the back of 6.5" 7-segment LED displays. It uses the TPIC6C596 shift...
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The SparkFun Large Digit Driver is a chainable controller board that solders directly to the back of 6.5" 7-segment LED displays. It uses the TPIC6C596 shift register IC to drive individual segments, making it easy to build multi-digit scoreboards, lap timers, and large-format numerical displays visible from a distance.
The board attaches via 10 castellated pads at the bottom and 2 at the top. It requires dual power: 12V for the LED segments and 5V for the driver IC. Six input and six output pins (GND, LAT, CLK, SER, 5V, 12V) enable daisy-chaining multiple drivers together for multi-digit displays.
Key Features
- Chainable Design – Daisy-chain multiple drivers for multi-digit displays
- Direct Mount – Solders to the back of 6.5" 7-segment displays via castellated pads
- TPIC6C596 Driver – Shift register IC for serial segment control
- Dual Power Input – 12V for LEDs, 5V for driver IC
- 6-Pin I/O – GND, LAT, CLK, SER, 5V, 12V on both input and output
Specifications
- Driver IC – TPIC6C596
- IC Supply Voltage – 5V
- LED Supply Voltage – 12V
- Interface – Serial (Clock, Latch, Data)
- Mounting – Castellated through-hole pads
Ideal For
- Scoreboards and sports timers
- Lap counters and race displays
- Large-format clocks and countdown timers
- Any project needing digits visible from a distance
Package Contents
- 1× SparkFun Large Digit Driver Board
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- CLK
- CLK is a clock line that times when bits are sent and read on a synchronous serial bus such as SPI. Any device using a clock line must have its CLK connected to the controller's clock output so the two stay in step while data is transferred.
- GND
- GND is the ground or reference connection (0 V) for a circuit. When connecting two devices together, their grounds must be joined so both agree on what counts as a low or high signal.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode (LED) is a small electronic component that emits light when current flows through it in the correct direction. Because it only conducts one way, its polarity matters, and a through-hole LED must be soldered the correct way around to light up.
- through-hole
- A mounting style where the component leads pass through holes in a circuit board and are soldered on the other side. Through-hole parts are often easier to handle and solder by hand, which is useful for classroom and hobby projects.
Find this product in
Brands
Displays & Screens
SparkFun Large Digit Driver Schematic
Schematic · 72.8 KB · Click any page to view full size
TPIC6C596 Datasheet
Datasheet · 1.1 MB · Click any page to view full size
Supplier page — sparkfun.com
Supplier Description · 973.6 KB · Click any page to view full size
Resources & Downloads
Guides, code examples, and more
Source Code
Open-source libraries, firmware & example projects for this product
A chainable controller backpack for the large 6" 7-segment displays.
10e7c4d
about 11 years ago
· 16 commits
- Firmware Changing to 15 Ohm limiting resistors. Adding example code. over 11 years ago
- Hardware Adding license file, updating README, fixing directory name, fixing file names about 11 years ago
- Production Adding license file, updating README, fixing directory name, fixing file names about 11 years ago
- .gitattributes :confetti_ball: Added .gitattributes & .gitignore files over 11 years ago
- .gitignore Initial Commit. over 11 years ago
- LICENSE.md Adding license file, updating README, fixing directory name, fixing file names about 11 years ago
- readme.md Adding license file, updating README, fixing directory name, fixing file names about 11 years ago
Related Tutorials
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