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STFPC320: VFD Controller
Front panel VFD controller with
stand-by power management and Real-Time clock

STFPC320 Product Page

Following STFPC311, ST has introduced the new STFPC320 Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) driver and controller with built-in stand-by power management to the microcontroller (MCU) along with an integrated Real-Time Clock (RTC). This new device represents a complete low-cost, integrated solution to control and drive a front-panel VFD display. The STFPC320 VFD driver and controller allows communication with the MCU through a serial I2C interface. Several functions such as watchdog timers and remote control decoding protocols like Philips RC-5, NEC, Sony, Thomson and Matsushita are integrated.

STFPC320
STFPC320 block diagram

STFPC320 Main Features And Benefits

Wake-up from front panel / remote control keys / external pin like AV-PIN8 of SCART interface / Real Time Clock
Integrates highly-accurate, low-power RTC Infra-red decoder for Philips, NEC, Sony, Thomson and Matsushita protocols
Ultra-low stand-by current consumption (~1mA)
Attractive to qualify a DVD/STB system to meet energy saving requirements of < 1W or 0.3W or 0.1W (Energy Star or Blue Angel Standard)
Replaces the expensive MCU solution with a single front panel VFD controller
Easy to implement software due to I2C interface
PQFP52 Pb-free package

Applications

DVD recorders
Media center PCs
Personal Video Recorders (PVRs)

Comparison Between STFPC311 And STFPC320

DVD recorders
Media center PCs
Personal Video Recorders (PVRs)

Select Inputs STFPC311 STFPC320
Type of device
VFD driver VFD driver + accurate, low power RTC
Remote control protocols
Philips RC5 and NEC Philips RC5, NEC, Matsushita, Thomson, Sony
Serial interface to host
Serial I2C
Interrupt
No interrupt to host Includes an IRQ–N output to Host
Wake-up
Front panel and remote control keys Front panel keys, remote control keys, RTC and AV–PIN8 of SCART
AV–PIN8 (SCART)
No feature to wake-up from SCART Able to wake-up from SCART
RESET–N
Only POR Includes both POR and external hardware reset
External crystal
No crystal required Requires a 32.768kHz crystal for RTC
Number of wake-up keys (hot keys)
8 for front panel and 8 for remote control Includes all 24 keys for front panel and remote control
RC device address
Supports one remote controller at a time Supports multiple remote controllers at a time
Main advantages
Low-cost VFD controller & driver due to high integration for power management A single chip solution to replace the main MCUbased front panel ICs for VFD display

Low-Cost, Highly Integrated Solution

This device is available in the lead-free PQFP52 package with a pitch of 0.65mm allowing ease of PCB routing on a single-layer or double-layer Class 2, or Class 3 type PCB using a low-cost soldering technology. It lowers the component count on the front panel board resulting in a low-cost, highly-integrated solution.

STFPC320 For Driving LED Displays

The STFPC320 can be used to drive LED displays by using some additional discrete electronic components.

STFP320 Evaluation Kit

An evaluation kit is available upon request. It contains:
STFPC320 demoboard and PC software