IC-Mart Your Trusted Source for VFD Drivers Chips

(from leading manufacturers)

Global Manufacturers and Key Models

1. Princeton Technology Corp (Taiwan)

Princeton is a market leader in VFD controllers. Their chips are standard in consumer electronics.

• Full-featured Controllers (with Key Scanning):
  • PT6311 / PT6312 / PT6315: The most popular models. They feature built-in RAM, support multiple grid/segment configurations, and integrated key scanning.
  • PT6302: Commonly used in DVD players and high-end audio systems.
  • PT6318: A version supporting higher display counts.
• Low Pin Count / Specialized:
  • PT6324: Designed for smaller screen applications.

2. Texas Instruments (USA)

TI focuses on industrial-grade reliability, primarily offering shift-register type drivers.

• High-Voltage Drivers (Shift-Register):
  • SN75518: A classic 32-bit driver in a DIP-40 package. Widely used in industrial meters.
  • SN75510: 12-bit high-voltage output driver.
  • SN75468 / SN75469: Darlington transistor arrays, used as discrete drive solutions for low-end VFDs.

3. Holtek (Taiwan)

Holtek offers cost-effective, general-purpose controllers.

• General Purpose Control/Driver:
  • HT16511 / HT16512: Standard VFD controllers with logic similar to the PT6312.
  • HT16515: A highly integrated display driver model.

4. Microchip (USA – acquired Supertex)

Microchip provides high-performance, ultra-high-voltage drivers.

• High-Voltage Drivers:
  • HV518 / HV5812: 20 to 32-channel drivers with output voltages exceeding 80V.
  • HV5122: A 32-channel high-voltage shift register.

5. ROHM (Japan)

ROHM specializes in automotive-grade and graphic/dot-matrix VFD solutions.

• Graphic and Control Type:
  • BD6600 Series: Modernized VFD control ICs.
  • MSC1162 / ML9040: Iconic dot-matrix anode/grid drivers, common in car dashboards.

6. Allegro MicroSystems (USA)

Known for ruggedness and high current drive capabilities.

• Key Models:
  • A5812 / A5818: Serial-input high-voltage drivers with latches.
  • UCN5810 / UCN5812: Early industry-standard models.

7. Other Notable Manufacturers

• STMicroelectronics: Model STF8300 (used for customized display modules).
• Maxim Integrated (now ADI): Models MAX6920 / MAX6921 (20-channel, 76V serial interface drivers, known for compact packaging).

Chinese Manufacturers and Key Models

Domestic Chinese manufacturers offer high-quality, pin-to-pin compatible alternatives with excellent cost performance.

1. Sunmoon Micro (Shenzhen)

A leader in domestic display drivers, known for stability in home appliances and industrial tools.

• SM16312: The most widely used domestic VFD driver, fully compatible with PT6312.
• SM16311: Compatible with PT6311, supports more segments.
• SM16315: Integrated key scanning, compatible with PT6315.
• SM1668: Designed for compact VFD panels with fewer segments.

2. Titan Microelectronics (TM Series)

Highly popular in the consumer market. Their naming convention follows industry standards for easy selection.

• TM16312: Flagship model for audio and set-top box displays.
• TM16315: Features key scanning for DVDs and premium appliances.
• TM16311: High-integration driver for complex dot-matrix VFDs.

3. Wuxi I-CORE (AiP Series)

Known for industrial-grade design, often found in high-quality white goods.

• AiP6312 / AiP16312: Standard VFD drive control circuits.
• AiP6311: Direct equivalent to PT6311.
• AiP16512: Compatible with Holtek’s HT16512 architecture.

4. Fuman Electronics (FM Series)

Highly active in the cost-sensitive consumer electronics and gift markets.

• FM6312: Basic VFD drive control.
• FM16312: Enhanced version with improved anti-interference.

5. Silan Microelectronics (SC Series)

An IDM manufacturer with strengths in power management and high-voltage driving.

• SC16312: Primary VFD driver product.
• SC6312: Older model still used in legacy markets.

Domestic VFD IC Selection Logic

Domestic Prefix + Suffix	International Standard	Key Features
xxx6312	PT6312	Standard: 11 Seg × 4 Grid to 4 Seg × 11 Grid, 6×2 Key Scanning
xxx6311	PT6311	Enhanced: 12 Seg × 4 Grid to 16 Seg × 8 Grid, 12×4 Key Scanning
xxx6315	PT6315	High Density: 16 Seg × 4 Grid to 24 Seg × 8 Grid, 16×2 Key Scanning
xxx16512	HT16512	Holtek Architecture: Common in appliances, specific control logic

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Technical Overview: What is a VFD Driver IC?

A VFD screen is essentially a vacuum tube. It heats a filament to emit electrons. These electrons strike phosphor-coated pixels under high voltage, causing them to glow.

Core Tasks of the Driver IC:

1. Level Shifting: MCUs operate at 3.3V or 5V, but VFDs require 20V to 70V. The IC uses push-pull output circuits to handle these high voltages.
2. Serial-to-Parallel Conversion: VFDs have dozens of segments. The IC uses serial interfaces (like SPI) to receive data and convert it into dozens of parallel high-voltage outputs, saving MCU pins.
3. Timing & Display Control: Advanced ICs include display RAM and timing circuits. They handle “dynamic scanning” (refreshing display bits) automatically.

Typical Application Scenarios

1. High-End Appliances: Microwaves, rice cookers, and dishwashers. VFDs survive high heat and oil better than LCDs.
2. Automotive: Dashboards and clocks. VFDs work perfectly from -40°C to +85°C and remain clear in direct sunlight.
3. Industrial & Weighing: Lab scales and factory meters. They offer 24/7 longevity and high readability in dark environments.
4. POS Systems: Customer-facing displays at checkout counters.
5. Hi-Fi Audio: Amplifiers and CD players. VFDs provide a premium, deep-black aesthetic with no backlight bleed.

The Four Categories of VFD Driver ICs

1. Pure Shift-Registers / High-Voltage Buffers

The most basic type. They are simple serial-to-parallel converters with high-voltage transistors.

• Logic: No internal timing. The MCU must manually control the multiplexing rate via SPI.
• Pros/Cons: Low cost and flexible, but very high CPU overhead.
• Models: TI SN75518, Microchip HV5812, Allegro A5812.

2. Full-Featured VFD Controllers

The most common type for mid-sized equipment.

• Logic: Includes Display RAM and timing circuits. The MCU simply writes “what to display” via I2C or 3-wire serial. The IC handles scanning and refreshing automatically.
• Models: Princeton PT6311/PT6312, Holtek HT16512.

3. High-Integration SoC (with HMI)

Designed specifically for front panels.

• Logic: Manages the VFD and integrates key scanning. It detects button presses and notifies the MCU. Some even include IR remote decoders or LED drivers.
• Models: Princeton PT6315/PT6302, Titan TM16312.

4. Specialized Graphic/Dot-Matrix Drivers

Used for high-resolution displays like car clusters or POS screens.

• Logic: Split into dedicated Grid Drivers and Anode/Segment Drivers. They feature high channel counts (64-128+) and support cascading for thousands of pixels.
• Models: Toshiba TD62C250, ST STF8300, OKI MSC1162.