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1.SCOPE
This specification applies to VFD module(Model No:16LF01UA3) manufactured by Samsung SDI.

2.FEATURES
2.1 Simple connection to the host system data bus via two-wired serial interface.
2.2 Since a DC/DC converter is used, only +5Vdc power source is required to operate the module.
2.3 One chip controller offers integral 64 x 16 bit programmable logic array, low power consumption
and high reliability in services.
2.4 32 brightness levels can be selected by brightness control command.
2.5 High quality blue-green(505 nm) vacuum fluorescent display provides an attractive and readable
medium. Other colors can be achieved by simple wavelength filters.
2.6 Characters are provided in an attractive 16-segment starburst format.

3.GENERAL DESCRIPTIONS
3.1 This specification becomes effective after being approved by the purchaser.
3.2 When any conflict is found in the specification, appropriate action shall be taken upon agreement
of both parties.
3.3 The expected necessary service parts should be arranged by the customer before the completion
of production.

4.PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
4.1 Type
Table_1
Type

16LF01UA3

Digit Format

16 Seg. & Comma, Decimal Point

4.2 Outer Dimensions, Weight (See Fig-4 for details)

Table_2
Parameter
Outer Dimensions

Specification

Unit

Width

218.0 +/-1.0

mm

Height

45.0 +/-1.0

mm

Thickness

26.5 Max

mm

Typical 130

Weight

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4.3 Specifications of Display Panel (See Fig-5 for details)

Parameter

Table_3

Symbol

Specification

Unit

173.6 x 14.25

mm

Number of Digit

16 Digits

Character Size (W x H)

7.0 x 12.50

mm

Cp(x)

11.0

mm

Blue-Green (Peak 505nm)

mm

Display Size

(W x H)

Character Pitch
Display Color

4.4 Environment Conditions

Parameter

Table_4
Symbol

Min.

Max.

Operating Temperature

opr

-20

+70

Storage Temperature

stg

-40

+85

Humidity (Operating)

opr

85

Humidity (Non-operating)

stg

90

Vibration (10 ~ 55 Hz)

Shock

40

Unit

4.5 Absolute Maximum Ratings

Table_5

Parameter

Symbol

Min.

Max.

Unit

Supply Voltage

V CC

7.0

V DC

Input Signal Voltage

V IS

-0.4

5.5

V DC

4.6 Recommend Operating Conditions

Table_6

Parameter

Symbol

Min.

Typ.

Max.

Unit

Supply Voltage

V CC

4.5

5.0

5.5

V DC

H-Level Input Voltage

V IH

3.6

5.5

V DC

L-Level Input Voltage

V IL

1.0

V DC

4.7 DC Characteristics (Ta=+25oC, VCC +5.0VDC )

Parameter

Table_7

Symbol

Min.

Typ.

Max.

Unit

ICC

600

800

mA

H-Level Input Current

IIH

-2.0

2.0

uA

L-Level Input Current

IIL

-2.0

2.0

uA

Brightness

100

200

ft-L

Supply Current

*)

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*) The surge current can be approx. 3 times the specified supply current at power on.

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4.8 Timing Chart

4.8.1 SCLK and DATA Timing

20us >= Ton (SCLK) >= 1.0us

SCLK

4.2V

Toff(SCLK) >= 1.0us

4.2V

4.2V
1.0V

TSU(DATA) >= 200ns

TH(DATA) >= 100ns

4.2V

DATA

Valid Data Bit

1.0V

Fig-1. SCLK and Serial DATA Timing Diagram

4.8.2 Data word LSB/MSB Timing

Next Data Word (MSB First)

Prior Data Word (LSB Last)

DATA

D2 D1 D0

D7

LSB

D0

MSB
Min 40us
Min 120us

Fig-2. Data word LSB/MSB Timing Diagram

4.9

Signal Interfacing

Connector(Male) : PH-2S06-FG (by Aster) or equivalent

Mate Socket(Female) : HIF3B-12D-2.54R (HIROSE) or equivalent
Table_8
Pin #

Signal

Pin #

Signal

Signal Name Description

Vcc

Vcc

Vcc :Power Supply Terminal. (+5VDC is required.)

N/P

N/C

N/P :No Pin,

N/C

N/C

N/C :No Connection.

N/C

SCLK

SCLK:Shift Clock of Shift Register.(Falling Edge Active)

DATA

10

/RST

DATA:Input Terminal for Display or Control Codes.

/RST:Input Terminal for Reset of VFD Module. (Low Active)

11

GND

12

GND

GND :Ground Terminal.

N/C:No Connection.

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4.10 System Block Diagram

Vcc
Rupx3

SCLK

SCLK

DATA

DATA
Vcc
+

16

Grids
16*Rg

Controller
V DD

18

VFD
16LF01S

-VH
Anodes
18*Ra

/RST

POR
-VH
V SS

(+5VDC)

-VH

Vcc

DC/DC Converter
Circuit

GND

F1
F2

Fig-3. VFD Module System Block Diagram

4.11 Outer Dimensions

7.0 +/-1.0
28.6 +/-1.0

37.0 +/-0.5
45.0 +/-1.0
(14.25)

218.0 +/-1.0
207.0 +/-0.5
(173.6)

D IS P L AY A R EA

3-O3.5 +/-0.3

29.0 +0.7
-0.5

15.2 +/-1.0
7.8 +/-1.0
4.0 +/-1.0
12.8 +/-1.0

205.2

+0.8
-0.5

11.5 +/-1.0
14.0 Max

Mounting Component
Fig-4. Outer Dimensions

(Unit : mm)

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4.12 Pattern Details

14.25

11.0

11.0
173.6

[ Unit :mm ]
Fig-5. Pattern Details

5. FUNCTIONS
The module has control data,display data write and reset functions.
Input data from the host system is loaded into the module's display buffer via the serial data input
channel as 8-bit serial data.
The MSB value of 8-bit serial data determines whether the input data into this module is control data
or display data.

TIME
First Input

DATA

Last Input

D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0
LSB

MSB

SCLK
Fig-6 Synchronous Serial Data Input

5.1 Control Data

The control data can be input by setting MSB to "1". In addition, a command type and associated
data with the command is determined by the D6~D0.
Table_9
Command

Function

Binary Code
D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

Buffer Pointer Control

Specifies the RAM address.

23

22

21

20

Digit Counter Control

Sets the number of digits.

23

22

21

20

Brightness Control

sets the brightness.

24

23

22

21

20

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5.1.1 Buffer Pointer Control

This command changes the display contents only at an arbitrary digit.
(The RAM write address is set.) The digit position to be modified is represented by the value
of D3~D0. If the most significant digit(left-end digit) is to be selected, each of D3~D0 are
set to a value of "1" and if the second digit is to be selected each of D3~D0 are set to
a value of "0", otherwise a decimal value of from "1" to "14" should be entered.
The set value of D3~D0 is lower than the decimal value of the specified position by 2.
Table_10
Digit

Binary Code
D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

Digit

Binary Code
D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

Left End

9th

2nd

10th

3rd

11th

4th

12th

5th

13th

6th

14th

7th

15th

8th

Right End

5.1.2 Digit Counter Control

This command is used to define the number of display digits. The code is normally used only
during initialization routine of the host system.
If all 16 characters are to be controlled, each of D3~D0 are set to a value of "0", otherwise
a decimal value from "1" to "15" is entered, corresponding to the actual number of characters
to be controlled.
Table_11
Number of
Display Digit

Binary Code

Binary Code

Number of
Display
Digit
D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

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5.1.3 Brightness Control

This command sets the brightness of the VFD. This command allows the brightness to be
adjusted by 1/32 step. As shown in Table_12, the test value ranges from 0 to 31.

Table_12
Brightness

Binary Code

Brightness

Binary Code

Level

D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

Level

D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

0/31(0.0%)

16/31(51.6%)

1/31(3.2%)

17/31(54.8%)

2/31(6.4%)

18/31(58.1%)

3/31(9.7%)

19/31(61.2%)

4/31(12.9%)

20/31(64.5%)

5/31(16.1%)

21/31(67.7%)

6/31(19.4%)

22/31(71.0%)

7/31(22.6%)

23/31(74.2%)

8/31(25.8%)

24/31(77.4%)

9/31(29.0%)

25/31(80.6%)

10/31(32.3%)

26/31(83.9%)

11/31(35.5%)

27/31(87.1%)

12/31(38.7%)

28/31(90.3%)

13/31(41.9%)

29/31(93.5%)

14/31(45.2%)

30/31(96.8%)

15/31(48.4%)

31/31(100%)

5.2 Input Display Data Word

Display data words are loaded into the display buffer of module as 8-bit codes, with the MSB set to
"0". The 64 available codes are shown in Table_14. 16 display data words must be entered to fully
load the display data buffer. The display buffer pointer(write in position) specified by the Buffer
Pointer control command is automatically incremented by one each time the display data is entered.
To set the comma or decimal point, the display data codes of 2C Hex or 2E Hex is entered
respectively. Only when 2C Hex and 2E Hex data are entered, the display buffer pointer in the RAM
is not automatically incremented but stays present location.

5.3 RESET
The reset function allows the users to re-initialize the alphanumeric display controller, while the
power is still applied to the module, by applying a logical "0" to pin #10(/RST) of the connector.
(Pulse Width
1ms)
When the controller is initialized, the display status are shown in Table_13.
The RAM data (Display Buffer Data) are the same as the prior data.

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Table_13

Parameter
Write in Position
Number of Display Digit

Reset Status

Binary Code
D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0

Left End Digit

16 Digits

0 %

Brightness Level

5.4 Data Set-up Flow

1) Power On
2) /RST Signal Set to "0" for above 1ms
3) Digit Counter Set
4) Brightness Set
5) Buffer Pointer Set
6) Display Data Set

Initialization Routine

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Character Font Table

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Table_14

MS B

0 x0 0 0
LSB

000

001

010

011

100

101

110

111

0 x0 0 1

0 x0 1 0

0 x0 1 1

0 x1 0 0

0 x1 0 1

0 x1 1 0

0 x1 1 1

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6. OPERATING RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Avoid appling excessive shock or vibration beyond the specification for the VFD module.
6.2 Since VFDs are made of glass material, careful handling is required. i.e. Direct impact with hard
material to the glass surface(especially exhaust tip) may crack the glass.
6.3 When mounting the VFD module to your system, leave a slight gap between the VFD glass and
your front panel. The module should be mounted without stress to avoid flexing of the PCB.
6.4 Avoid plugging or unplugging the interface connection with the power on, otherwise it may cause
the severe damage to input circuitry.
6.5 Slow starting power supply may cause non-operation because one chip micom won't be reset.
6.6 Exceeding any of maximum ratings may cause the permanent damage.
6.7 Since the VFD modules contain high voltage source, careful handling is required while power is on.
6.8 When the power is turned off, the capacitor does not discharge immediately. So the high voltage
applied to the VFD must not get in contact with ICs. In other words, short-circuit of mounted
components on PCB within 30 seconds after power-off may cause damage the module.
6.9 The power supply must be capable of providing at least 3 times the rated current, because the
surge current may be 3 times the specified current consumption when the power is turned on.
6.10 Avoid using the module where excessive noise interference is expected. Noise may affects the
interface signal and causes improper operation. And it is important to keep the length of the
interface cable less than 50cm.
6.11 Since all VFD modules contain C-MOS ICs, anti-static handling procedures are always required.