Low Cost Multidigit Hexadecimal Display for Microprocessors

Abstract

In using microprocessors for monitoring and control purposes, it is often required to provide a multidigit hexadecimal display to show the measured variable from time to time. Display of hexadecimal numbers using the seven-segment displays is not easily possible without additional hardware/special-purpose integrated circuits. Alternatively, the same microprocessor can be used to scan the display segments accordingly, as in calculators. However, during the time spent in scanning the display, the microprocessor can not do any other job. Methods using hardware for multidigit displays (Hex.), are quite involved. In this paper, a low-cost interface circuit for an 8-digit (4-byte) display which can be extended easily for more bytes as well, is described.