Seven Segment Displays

Light Emitting Diode (LED) is the most widely used semiconductor which emits either visible
light or invisible infrared light when forward biased. Remote controls generate invisible light. A
Light-emitting diode (LED) is optical-electrical energy into light energy when voltage is applied.

Seven Segment Displays:

Seven segment displays are the output display device that provides a way to display
information in the form of images or text or decimal numbers which is an alternative to the
more complex dot matrix displays. It is widely used in digital clocks, basic calculators,
electronic meters, and other electronic devices that display numerical information. It consists
of seven segments of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which are assembled like numerical 8.

Working of Seven Segment Displays:

The number 8 is displayed when the power is given to all the segments and if you disconnect
the power for ‘g’, then it displays the number 0. In a seven-segment display, power (or voltage)
at different pins can be applied at the same time, so we can form combinations of display
numerical from 0 to 9. Since seven-segment displays can not form alphabets like X and Z, so
it can not be used for the alphabet and they can be used only for displaying decimal numerical
magnitudes. However, seven-segment displays can form alphabets A, B, C, D, E, and F, so
they can also be used for representing
each display unit is usually has a dot point (DP). The display point could be located either
towards the left or towards the right of the display pattern. This type of pattern can be used
to display numerals from 0 to 9 and letters from to F hexadecimal digits.

Truth Table:

We can produce a truth table for each decimal digit

Therefore, Boolean expressions for each decimal digit that requires respective light-emitting
diodes (LEDs) are ON or OFF. The number of segments used by digit: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
and 9 are 6, 2, 5, 5, 4, 5, 6, 3, 7, and 6 respectively. Seven segment displays must be controlled
by other external devices where different types of microcontrollers are useful to communicate
with these external devices, like switches, keypads, and memory.

Types of Seven Segment Displays:

According to the type of application, there are two types of configurations of seven-segment
displays: common anode display and common cathode display.
1. In common cathode seven segment displays, all the cathode connections of LED
segments are connected together to logic 0 or ground. We use logic 1 through a current
limiting resistor to forward bias the individual anode terminals a to g.
2. Whereas all the anode connections of the LED segments are connected together to logic
1 in a common anode seven segment display. We use logic 0 through a current limiting
resistor to the cathode of a particular segment a to g.
Common anode seven segment displays are more popular than cathode seven segment
displays because logic circuits can sink more current than they can source and it is the same
as connecting LEDs in reverse.

Applications of Seven Segment Displays: Common applications of seven-segment

displays are:
1. Digital clocks
2. Clock radios
3. Calculators
4. Wristwatches
5. Speedometers
6. Motor-vehicle odometers
7. Radiofrequency indicators
Advantages of Seven Segment Displays:
1.Simplicity: Seven Section Presentations are straightforward and simple to use since they
just showcase mathematical digits (0-9) and a couple of characters like A-F for hexadecimal
numbers.
2.Cost-viable: Seven Section Presentations are generally modest and require less parts to
work than different sorts of showcases like LCDs or OLEDs.
3.High perceivability: Seven Portion Presentations have high perceivability even in low
light circumstances as they are intended to emanate splendid, high-contrast light in a
particular example that is not difficult to peruse.
4.Durability: Seven Section Presentations are strong and sturdy since they are produced
using materials that are impervious to temperature changes and mechanical pressure.

Disadvantages of Seven Segment Displays:

1.Limited usefulness: Seven Section Presentations are restricted to showing mathematical
digits and a couple of characters, which can be a disservice in applications that require more
mind boggling shows like designs or message.
2.Limited review points: Seven Fragment Showcases have restricted survey points, and
that implies that the presentation might be hard to peruse from specific points or in splendid
daylight.
3.Power utilization: Seven Portion Presentations consume more power than different sorts
of showcases since they produce light constantly, which can be a burden in battery-worked
gadgets.
4.Limited customization: Seven Portion Showcases are not effectively adaptable since
they are intended to show just unambiguous examples of digits and characters, making it
hard to show custom images or illustrations.
LCD:
The full form of LCD is Liquid Crystal Display. it is a passive device, which means that it
does not deliver any light to display characters, animations, videos, etc. LCD uses
fluorescent tubes to lighten the picture, but can’t provide a clearer picture as LED delivers.
What is LCD?
LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. It is a flat panel display technology, mainly used in
TVs and computer monitors, nowadays it is used for mobile phones also. These LCDs are
completely different from that old CRT displays, it uses liquid crystals instead of cathode ray
in its primary form of operation.

In LCD display, it consists of millions of pixels made of crystal and arranged in a rectangular
grid. In LCD it has backlights that provide light to each pixel. Each pixel has a red, green,
and blue (RGB) sub-pixel that can be turned on or off. When all of the sub-pixels are turned
off, then it’s black and when all the sub-pixels are turned on 100%, then it’s white.

LCD is a combination of two states of matter, the solid and the liquid. The solid part is
crystal and this liquid and crystal together make the visible image. LCD consists of two
layers which are two polarized panels- filters and electrodes. LCD screen works by
blocking the light rather than emitting the light. There are two types of pixel grids in LCD:
 Active Matrix Grid– It is a newer technology. In smartphone with LCD display uses
this technology.
 Passive Matrix Grid– It is an older technology. Some older devices used this
technology.

History of LCD
The LCD display was first built in the year 1964 in RCA Laboratories by George
Heilmeier who was an electrical engineer in the RCA lab.
At first in the year 1888, liquid crystal was discovered by Friedrich Reinitzer by extracted
cholesterol from carrots, who was an Austrian botanist. In that time liquid crystal was used
in research and experimental works. Then by the year 1936, liquid crystal was used in a
practical application and known as Liquid Crystal Light Valve which is used in wireless
telegraphy.
Then in the year 1962, a researcher of RCA Richard Williams generated some patterns in a
thin layer of liquid crystal material by applying voltage on it, which is known as electro-optical
effects. After all these things finally in 1964 LCD was invented.
The first modern LCD was produced in the year 1972, by International Liquid Crystal
Company (ILIXCO) owner James Fergason. This LCD was made using passive grid
technology. In the year 1995 Hitachi and NEC were the first manufacturers of active matrix
LCDs. These LCDs are based on IPS(In Plane Switching) technology. After all this, by the
year 1996 SAMSUNG, TOSHIBA has came to market.
Different Types of LCD
There are mainly four types of LCD are available.

1. Twisted Nematic (TN)

Which are cheap but have fast response times. TN screens, on the other hand, have low
contrast ratios, viewing angles, and color contrasts. The use of TN LCDs in many types of
displays across industries has resulted in their widespread manufacture.

2. Panel Switching displays (IPS Panels)

When compared to TN LCDs, In Panel Switching displays (IPS Panels) have significantly
higher contrast ratios, viewing angles, and color contrast. When compared to TN LCDs, In
Panel Switching displays provide superior picture quality, bright color precision, and
difference.

3. Vertical Alignment Panels (VA Panels)

Vertical Alignment Panels (VA Panels) are regarded as a grade intermediate between TN
and IPS displays. Vertical alignment panels are seen to be a good compromise between in-
plane switching panels and twisted nematic technology. When compared to TN-type
displays, this type of panel has superior quality color reproduction as well as the best viewing
angles.

4. Advanced Fringe Field Switching (AFFS)

A top performer in the color reproduction range when compared to IPS displays. AFFS
LCD is a top performer with a wide range of color reproduction options. These monitors
produce high-quality images. These displays are most typically used in high-tech
applications such as viable airplane cockpits.
Working of LCD
The premise underlying LCDs is that liquid crystals are used to flip pixels on and off to
expose a specific color. When an electrical current is provided to a liquid crystal molecule,
the molecule tends to untwist. This produces a shift in the angle of the top polarizing filter,
as well as the angle of light traveling through the molecule of the polarized glass. As a result,
a little light is permitted to let the polarized glass through an individual area of the LCD.
As a result, in comparison to other places, this one will appear dark. LCDs work on the
premise of blocking light rather than emitting it. When the LCDs are built, a mirror is installed
on the backside. The electrode plane, which is kept on top of the device, is made of indium-
tin-oxide. A polarized glass with a polarizing coating is also included on the device’s bottom.
The entire region of the LCD must be contained with the use of a common electrode, and
the liquid crystal matter must be above it. Then, on top, another polarizing film, and on the
bottom, in the shape of a rectangle, the second piece of glass with an electrode. However,
ensure that both parts are at the correct angles. When there is no current, light flows through
the front of the LCD, reflecting and bouncing back with the help of a mirror. In front of the
light is a screen composed of red, green, and blue pixels. To reveal a certain hue or keep a
pixel dark, liquid crystals work by turning on or off a filter.
Characteristics of LCD
Main characteristics of LCD are:
1. Voltage: 3V to 12V
2. Operating temperature: Normally it ranges from to, but for extreme cases it varies
from to .
3. Frequency: 30Hz to 60 Hz
4. Average Current consumption: 1.2 A to 6 A
5. Opening Time: 100 ms
Also LCD has other characteristics in terms of many areas, that are
 Resolution: LCD is made up of liquid crystal, which is neither liquid nor solid, and this
thing reflects the light in a well-formed way, lights enter into the crystal and reflect very
clearly. So the image made with this liquid crystal is very accurate. LCD is a Digital
display, which addresses each individual pixel using a fixed matrix of horizontal and
vertical dots. LCD scales the image according to the resolution the device provided. So
the quality of the image is not degraded.
 Brightness: Brightness means the light provided by the LCD, which is nothing but the
intensity of visible light, it is measured using nits. Nits is defined as one candela per
square meter. In LCD brightness is very much accurate for the good resolutions and
pixels.
 Contrast Ratio: It is the ratio of the brightest color and the darkest color for a
particular position of the screen provided by the display. To calculate contrast ratio(CR)
see the below formula:

Typically the ratios of modern monitors are 1000:1 and TVs are 4000:1.
 Response Rate: Response Rate is high in LCD, it means the time required for
changing colors of the pixels is very much less, so that the refresh rate is very high
in LCD than CRT. There is no lagging between the pixels when the image is changed.

Advantages of LCD :
 The main advantage of LCD is, it has low in cost and energy efficient and very less
power consumption.
 LCD is thinner and lighter and very flexible.
 LCD provides excellent contrast, brightness and resolution, so the picture quality is
very clear like a crystal.
 Radiation of LCD monitors are much less than CRT monitors.
 LCDs can be suitable with CMOS integrated circuits so that making of LCD is very
easy.
 It gives perfect sharpness at the native resolution.
 Zero geometric distortion at the native resolution of the pane.
 It provides various conveniences like portability as compared to previous technology
based screens.
Disadvantages of LCD
 LCD require additional light sources for lighting the pixels, so if the light source is
destroyed then the LCD is not providing any image on the display.
 LCD is less reliable display.
 The image visibility depends on light intensity
 The aspect ratio and resolution are fixed for LCD.
 LCD has an irregular intensity scale and it produce lower than 256 discrete intensity
levels.
 In LCD color saturation is reduced at the low intensity level due to poor black-level.
 LCD provide limited viewing angle, it effects the brightness. if we are watching the
screen by an angle then the color of the image is changed in our eyes.
LED
LED stands for Light Emitting Diode
LED is right now the most energy-efficient lighting technology available for use. The LED is a
semiconductors light source. Mainly LED is a PN-Junction diode which emits light in direct
current and uses electroluminescence to produce light. Electroluminescence is a process
where diode converts electric current to light source by changing the state of electrons. LED
is also known as solid state lighting (SSL). LED provide non-coherent, narrow-spectrum light
when voltage is applied to it. the voltage must be forwarded voltage.

LED follow a condition, the anode terminal should be put at a higher potential than cathode
terminal as current flows from anode to cathode (positive to negative). LED accepts DC
current. When a voltage is applied across the diode semiconductor then
the Electrons and Holes are transferred to the P-N junction and produce energy then that
energy is converted into light.
LED has four main parts, that are semiconductor die, substrate, phosphor and lens. Mainly
the LED provides white light but also can make many colors of light such as red, green, blue,
yellow, etc. These colors are based on the chemical composition of the phosphor.

Construction of LED
 The LED is packed in a clear or diffuse plastic or glass lens that provide a angular range
of light distributions, like a Incandescent light Bulb.
 LED consist of a chip of semiconductor doped with impurities to create a P-N junction.
 The chips are mounted in a reflective tray in order to increase the light output.
 The contacts are made at the Cathode side by means of conductive adhesive and on the
Anode side via gold wire to the lead frame.
 The plastic case encloses the chip area of the lead frame.
Circuit Diagram

History of LED
LEDs work on electroluminescence, the first natural experience of electroluminescence
happened in the year 1907 by a British researcher Henry Joseph Round in Marconi lab. He
was performing experiments on a crystal silicon carbide, also known as carborundum , in
which he noticed that when a potential of 10 volts is applied to that crystal then it
emits yellowish light. Then in between 1920 to 1927 a another researcher Oleg
Vladimirovich Losev did experiments with electroluminescence who was a radio researcher
of Russia.
After this in the year 1955, another radio researcher of America Rubin Braunstein discovered
that some simple diodes emit infrared light when connected to a direct current. Then in
1961 Gary Pittman and Robert Biard from Texas Instruments found that gallium-arsenide
diode emits infrared light every time when it is connected to current and accidentally created
an infrared LED, which is the first LED of world. But this infrared is not visible to human
eyes. Then in 1962, Nick Holonyack worked for General Electric Company as engineer,
invented the first visible light LED, which was a red colored LED made using gallium
arsenide phosphide.
Then many researches happened for the LEDs. And some more LEDs are invented, that
are,
1. In the year 1972, electrical engineer M. George Craford, invented the first yellow
LED and a brighter red LED.
2. In the year 1976, Thomas P. Pearsall developed high brightness LED for use in optic
fiber.
3. In the year 1979, Shuji Nakamura of Nichia Corporation invented first blue LED.

Characteristics of LED
 Voltage : 1.5 to 3.5 volts

 Operating temperature : Normally its varies from to ,

 Frequency : 400 to 600 TeraHz
 Average power consumption :5 watt to 9 watt. Also 200 lm/W achieved in lab while
testing.
 Opening Time : 100 ms
 Light Generated by LED is Directional
 10 Degree increase of temperature will reduce 5% – 7% lumen output and if P-N
Junction temperature is under 75 degree then it will enable the LED life for over 50, 000
hours.
 LED is operated in forward biased mode only
 The characteristics curve of the LED shows that the forward bias of 1 V is sufficient to
increase the current exponentially.

Advantages
 The main advantage of LED is, LEDs are Energy Efficient and Power consumption is
very Low, LEDs Operate on very Low Voltage
 LEDs are emitting an extremely high level of brightness and the intensity of the light is
very much higher than other lighting technology
 Heat produces from the LED is very less that other lights, such as incandescent bulb
 LEDs are emitted the energy, mainly that are in the visible spectrum, so the UV emission
is not there in LED. So our eyes are not get effected.
 LEDs have great lifetime, average lifetime of a LED is 50000 Hour(5Years approx).
 LED can reveal the actual color of the light as compared to other lights, so the Color
Rendering Index(CRI)of LED is great.
 LEDs are in very small size, so that anywhere we can fit a LED where its needed, So
LED is a flexible and user friendly component.
Disadvantages
 LED performance largely depends on the limited temperature of the operating
environment, if operating a LED in higher temperatures may result in overheating the
LED and that will lead to device failure.
 Voltage supplied to the LED must be above the threshold and current below the rating,
otherwise the LED might be damage. So the voltage sensitivity must be followed for
LED.
 LED lighting is more expensive than the traditional light sources, such as Incandescent
bulb
 LEDs can cause light pollution than other light sources because of Blue pollution. That is
cool white LEDs emit proportionally more blue light than conventional outdoor light
sources.
 LEDs do not produce a spherical distribution of light, so they are not advisable to use in
open large area.
 The efficiency of LED decreases as the electric current increases.
 LED require the correct electric polarity to light-up, so a rectifier must be used to
maintain the polarity.

Light Emitting Diode (LED): LED is a type of LCD that actually accompanies the
advancement of technology. This replaces the fluorescent tube with backlight technology,
which produces a clearer picture than the LCD. LED have wider viewing angle than the
LCD. It have better black level and contrast in comparison to LCD LCD display. LED
delivers better color accuracy in comparison to the LCD.
Advantage:
 LED have very long life.
 It requires low maintenance.
 LED doesn’t produce heat.
 LED is highly efficient.
Disadvantage:
 It is more costly.
 It have restricted viewing angle.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): An LCD is a passive device, which means that it does not
deliver any light to display characters, animations, videos, etc. LCD uses fluorescent tubes
to lighten the picture, but can’t provide a clearer picture as LED delivers. It delivers good
color accuracy, but we can notice the difference if we compare LED and LCD color
accuracy. In LCD, the wide-angle decreases with 30 degrees from the center in the image
then the contrast ratio.
Advantage:
 It consumes less power.
 It includes millions of colors.
 It is lighter than LED.
Disadvantage:
 It needs extra light sources.
 It have also restricted viewing angle.
 Its speed is very slow.
Difference between LED and LCD:
S.NO LED LCD

LED has a better response time LCD is slower than LED in terms of response
1.
than LCD. time.

LED consumes more power in Whereas it consumes less power in

2.
comparison to LCD. comparison to LED.

LED delivers good picture quality LCD also delivers good picture quality but
3.
in comparison to the LCD display. less than LED.

4. LED is costlier than LCD. While it is less costly than LED.

LED has a better black level and While it has not good black level and
5.
contrast in comparison to LCD. contrast as LED.

While it also delivers good color accuracy,

LED delivers better color accuracy
6. we can notice the difference if we compare
in comparison to the LCD.
these two.
S.NO LED LCD

While in LCD, the wide-angle decreases with

LED has a wider viewing angle
7. 30 degrees from the center in the image then
than the LCD.
the contrast ratio.

LED TVs can be up to 90 inches

LCD Screen size comes in the range of 13-
8. and they are much similar to LCD
57 inches.
TVs.

LEDs use no mercury and are LCDs require mercury for their products
9.
therefore environmentally friendly. causing harm to the environment.

LED uses gallium arsenide LCD uses liquid crystals and glass
10.
phosphide. electrodes.
What is Dot Matrix Display ?

1. Structure of a dot matrix display

The LED dot matrix display is made up of a number of LED light sources arranged in a
rectangular pattern. The common anode and common cathode structures are used in the
general dot matrix display. The light-emitting diode is used individually, and the array is
assembled with high-brightness LED chips before being encapsulated in epoxy resin and
plastic mold. It has high brightness, low power consumption, few pins, a large viewing angle,
a long life, humidity resistance, cold and heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and
other properties.

2. Light source for dot-matrix displays

Using a simple 5X7 matrix as an example, each light-emitting diode is placed at the
intersection of rows and columns, and the conductors are laid out on the entire circuit board
for each light-emitting diode. Powered by a diode. The outer layers of all light-emitting diodes
are coated in plastic and mounted on the frame. Because of the material used, the dot matrix
display is not affected by dust, moisture, or other elements and serves as a protective cover.

3. Display area with a dot matrix

The dots are the most homogeneous displays, with an LED illuminating each LED dot matrix
area. Because dots produce the most uniform displays, dot matrix displays are the most
common.

4. Daily application of dot matrix display

A dot matrix display is a device used to display information such as train departure times and
displays. These devices have various requirements.

4-1Elevator LCD Display

The elevator display is a standard dot matrix display. Data such as ascending, and
descending will be displayed on the screen while the elevator is in operation.
4-2 MRT Route Map

When you take the MRT, you will notice a route information bar above the door
which showing the information of each station. This column is typically made up of several
dot-matrix displays.