Date: 17/04/2011

Dot matrix LED control driver IC from Holtek for LED panel display/control design

Following the successful release of the HT1632C dot matrix LED control driver IC, which can drive 32x8/24x16 dots, Holtek has announced a new device with higher functional integration, the HT16K33. This device contains features such as low power consumption, high noise immunity and high ESD protection capabilities. The HT16K33 also includes an LED driver with fully integrated key-scan functions, combining all the requirements for panel control applications into a single chip.

The HT16K33 is supplied in 28-pin SSOP, 24/20-pin SOP packages which separately correspond to three different maximum display dot configurations: 16x8 dot LED with 13x3 keys, 12x8 dot LED with 10x3 keys and 8x8 dot LED with 8x3 keys. The I2C interface featured HT16K33 includes an internal display memory, RC oscillator, operating voltage of 4.5V~5.5V, and supports interrupt signal and polling modes which can optionally provide key interrupt signals to the MCU, thus eliminating the need for repeated key status checking by the MCU. The communication between the HT16K33 and the system control device only requires two signal lines. Detecting key-inputs using the HT16K33 reduces the number of required master MCU I/O pins and simplifies the wiring layout between the main board and the panel making the product application costs lower.

The HT16K33 is suitable for use in LED display/panel control and drive applications for products such as high-end home appliances, audio and visual equipment, metering, car peripherals etc.