Vacuum Fluorescent Display Module Hardware Specification Model: GU256X128C-3xxx series (GU256X128C-3xx0, 3xx1 series) Specification No: DS-903-0001-00 Date Of Issue: October 01, 2003 (00) Revision: Published by NORITAKE ITRON Corp. / Japan http://www.noritake-itron.jp/ This specification is subject to change without prior notice. GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification Index. 1 General Description.............................................................................................................................................2 1.1 Scope ............................................................................................................................................................2 1.2 Construction ..................................................................................................................................................2 1.3 Outline ...........................................................................................................................................................2 1.4 Block Diagram ...............................................................................................................................................3 1.4.1 For 3xx0 series..........................................................................................................................................3 1.4.2 For -3xx1 series.........................................................................................................................................3 2 General Purpose I/O port ....................................................................................................................................4 3 Electrical specification ........................................................................................................................................4 3.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings...........................................................................................................................4 3.2 Electrical ratings ............................................................................................................................................5 3.3 Electrical Characteristics ...............................................................................................................................5 4 Optical Specifications .........................................................................................................................................7 5 Environmental Specifications.............................................................................................................................7 6 Interface................................................................................................................................................................8 7 6.1 Type of interface ............................................................................................................................................8 6.2 Interface timing..............................................................................................................................................8 6.2.1 RS-232 Asynchronous serial interface timing........................................................................................8 6.2.2 Parallel interface timing.........................................................................................................................9 6.2.3 USB Interface timing .............................................................................................................................9 Setup.....................................................................................................................................................................9 7.1 8 Connector...........................................................................................................................................................10 8.1 For -3xx0 Series ..........................................................................................................................................10 8.1.1 RS-232 Interface & Power connector (CN3) ..........................................................................................10 8.1.2 Parallel interface & Power connecter (CN2)...........................................................................................10 8.1.3 I/O Port connector (CN4, 14 through holes) ...........................................................................................10 8.2 For -3xx1 Series .......................................................................................................................................... 11 8.2.1 Power connector (CN3).......................................................................................................................... 11 8.2.2 USB connector (CN1)............................................................................................................................. 11 8.2.3 I/O Port connector (CN4, 14 through holes) ........................................................................................... 11 8.3 9 DIP-Switch (SW1)..........................................................................................................................................9 Connectors ..................................................................................................................................................12 8.3.1 For -3xx0 series.......................................................................................................................................12 8.3.2 For -3xx1 series.......................................................................................................................................12 Outline Drawing .................................................................................................................................................13 9.1 For -3xx0 series...........................................................................................................................................13 9.2 For -3xx1 series...........................................................................................................................................14 Notice for the Cautious Handling VFD Modules......................................................................................................15 -1- GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification 1 General Description 1.1 Scope This specification covers the hardware and its requirements of the vacuum fluorescent graphic display module GU256X128C-3xx0,3xx1 series. 1.2 Construction The module consists of a 256 x 128dot graphic BD-VFD, refresh RAM, character generator, DC/DC converter, display controller, and all necessary control logic. The module can simultaneously display graphic patterns and/or characters on the screen. 1.3 Outline Power supply: Interface: I/O port: Protocol: Function: + 5 VDC only 3xx0 Series: Parallel interface, RS-232 Asynchronous Serial interface 3xx1 Series: USB interface (USB 1.1 compatible) 12bits General purpose I/O port available 8bit Input/Output port (Port 0), 4bit Input port (Port 1) Direct mode Packet mode Character display Graphic display Control command Display action command Draw command Window function General Purpose I/O port control Macro, Program Macro function Character and Bit Image download function Memory SW For more detail; Refer to specification: DS-1009-0005-xx: for 256x128dot, -31xx series "General function" software spec DS-1009-0003-xx: for 256x128dot, -39xx series "General function" software spec DS-954-0003-xx: "Program Macro" software spec -2- GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification 1.4 Block Diagram 1.4.1 For 3xx0 series For 3xx0 series Parallel IF Parallel Connecter IF IC RS-232 IF RS-232 Connecter IF IC Controller BD-VFD FROM 16Mbit Firm Font I/O Port Memory SW Connector DIP-SW VCC GN 1.4.2 For -3xx1 series DC/DC Converter For 3xx1 series Anode/Grid F1 Filament F2 Filament Controller USB IF USB Connecter IF IC BD-VFD FROM 16Mbit I/O Port Connector Firm Font Memory SW DIP-SW VCC GND DC/DC Anode/Grid F1 Filament Converter F2 Filament Please note that the re-writable time of the FROM is approximately 100,000 times. -3- GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification 2 General Purpose I/O port +5V General purpose I/O Port +5V VCC 47k GND 47 Port0-b7 Input/Output port x8 47k 47 Port0-b0 47k CPU 47 Port1-b3 Input port x4 47k 47 Port1-b0 VCC GND GU256X128C-3xxx Refer to 3.3 Electrical Characteristics "General purpose I/O port supply Voltage for -3xx0, -3xx1 series." For controlling, refer to 256x128dot "General function" software spec., "I/O Port Input/Output setting", "I/O Port Output", "I/O Port Input". 3 Electrical specification 3.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings Power Supply Voltage for -3xx0, -3xx1 series. Note Parameter Symbol Min. Typ. Max. Unit Power Supply Voltage VCC -0.3 - +6.0 VDC Symbol Min. Typ. Max. Unit - Vcc+0.3 VDC +25 VDC Max. Unit Note Note Logic Supply Voltage for -3xx0 series. Parameter Parallel I/F D0 -D7 /WR VpIN -0.3 RS-232 Serial I/F RXD, DSR VsIN -25 Note Logic Supply Voltage for -3xx1 series. Parameter USB I/F Symbol D+, D- Min. Typ. USB 1.1 compatible I/O port supply Voltage for -3xx0, -3xx1 series. Parameter I/O port Port 0, Port 1 Symbol Min. Typ. Max. Unit ViIN -0.3 - Vcc+0.3 VDC -4- GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification 3.2 Electrical ratings Power Supply Voltage for -3xx0, -3xx1 series. Note Parameter Symbol Min. Typ. Max. Unit Power Supply Voltage VCC 4.75 5.0 5.25 VDC All driving voltage for the VFD is converted from the DC/DC converter on board. 3.3 Electrical Characteristics Logic input/output condition for -3xx0 series. Measuring Conditions: Ambient temperature = 25degrees, VCC =5.0VDC Parameter Parallel I/F RS-232 I/F Symbol Min. Typ. Max. Unit Logic input current D0 - D7, /WR IpIH - - 1.0 uADC - - IpIL - - -200 uADC - - Logic input voltage D0 - D7, /WR VpIH VCC VDC - - VpIL 0 0.2VCC VDC - - Logic output voltage RDY VpOH 3.5 VCC VDC IOH=-10uA VpOL 0 0.6 VDC IOL=4mA Logic input voltage RXD, DSR VsIH 3 - 15 VDC - - VsIL -15 - -3 VDC - - Logic output voltage TXD, DTR VsOH 5 - - VDC VsOL - - -5 VDC RsIN 3 - 7 K Logic input Impedance RXD, DSR 0.8VCC Condition Note (1) - RL=3K - (1) "RDY" is open collector terminal. (Pull up by 47Kohm) Vcc Module R Display Controller 47K RDY TR Logic input/output condition for -3xx1 series. Measuring Conditions: Ambient temperature = 25degrees, VCC =5.0VDC Parameter USB I/F Symbol Logic input/output voltage D+, D- Min. Typ. Max. Unit USB 1.1 compatible -5- Condition Note GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification General purpose I/O port supply Voltage for -3xx0, -3xx1 series. Measuring Conditions: Ambient temperature = 25degrees, VCC =5.0VDC Parameter Symbol Min. Typ. Max. Unit Logic input current Port 0, 1 IiIH - - 1.0 uADC - - IiIL - - -200 uADC - - Logic input voltage Port 0 ViIH 2.0 - VCC VDC - - ViIL 0 - 0.8 VDC - - ViOH VCC-0.6 - - ViOL - - 0.5 VDC IOL=1.6mA ViT- 1.0 - - VDC - - ViT+ - - 0.7VCC VDC - - 0.4 - - VDC - - Condition Note General purpose I/O port Logic output voltage Port 0 Logic input voltage Port 1 (Schmidt Trigger input) ViT+ - ViT- Condition VDC IOH=-200uA Note - General purpose I/O port output permissible current for -3xx0, -3xx1 series. Measuring Conditions: Ambient temperature = 25degrees, VCC =5.0VDC Parameter General purpose I/O port Output permissible current Port 0, 1 (per 1 terminal) Symbol Min. Typ. Max. Unit IiOH 1.5 mADC - - IiOL 8 mADC - - Output permissible IiOH 8 mADC current Port 0, 1 (The Sum of all I/O IiOL 30 mADC terminal) Output current should not be exceeded from the value of above table. In case of driving the LED or some other device directly, please be sure to insert current limiter into an output line. Power Supply condition for -3xx0, -3xx1 series. Measuring Conditions: Ambient temperature = 25degrees, VCC =5.0VDC Parameter Symbol Min. Typ. Max. Unit Condition Note Power Supply Current 1 ICC1 - 0.85 1.1 ADC (2) Power Supply Current 2 ICC2 - 0.68 0.89 ADC (3) Power Supply Current 3 ICC3 - 80 120 mADC (4) Note (2),(3) ICC1 shows the cuurent at all dots in the screen are lighted and ICC2 at all dots off. At power on rush, more than 2times current of above table should be expected. Provide the quick rise type power supply (<100msec.). (4)Icc3 shows the current at Power OFF Mode (Power save mode). Refer to 256x128dot "General function" software spec.,"Display power ON/OFF" command. -6- GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification 4 Optical Specifications Number of dots: PCB Size: Display area: Dot size: Dot pitch: Luminance: Color of illumination: 5 32,768256 x 128 131.0 mm x 66.0 mm (X x Y) 83.08mm x 41.48mm(X x Y) 0.225mm x 0.225mm(X x Y) 0.325mm x 0.325mm (X x Y) 250cd/m2 Min. (500cd/m2 Typ.) Green (Blue Green) Environmental Specifications Operating temperature: Storage temperature: Storage humidity: Vibration: Shock: -40 to +85degrees C (-20 to +80 degrees C in case of -3xx1 series) -40 to +85degrees C 20 to 80 % R.H (Non Condensing) 10-55-10Hz, all amplitude 1mm, 30Min., X-Y-Z (Non operating) 392m/s2 (40G) 9mS X-Y-Z (Non operating) -7- GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification 6 Interface 6.1 Type of interface The following interfaces are available on this module; -3xx0 series: Parallel interface, RS-232 Serial interface -3xx1 seires: USB (USB 1.1 Compatible) 6.2 Interface timing 6.2.1 RS-232 Asynchronous serial interface timing RXD 0 1 DTR Max. 2Bytes Min. 0s Max. 2Bytes Min. 0s READY BUSY TXD 0 1 DSR READY BUSY The above timing is RS-232 level. The logical value is inverted from above level. Interface: Baud rate 19,200 or 38,400bps (Selectable by DIP SW) Parity Non parity Format Start (1bit)Data (8bit)(Parity)Stop (1bit) Handshake DTR, DSR Buffer Capacity Receiving buffer Sending buffer 256byte 128byte DTR signal change timing DTR change 1 (Ready)0(Busy) 0(Busy) 1(Ready) Condition When the rest of receiving buffer or sending buffer size less than 32bytes. When the rest of receiving buffer and sending buffer size more than 64bytes. -8- GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification 6.2.2 Parallel interface timing Min. 100ns 1 /WR 0 Min. 50ns Min. 10ns 1 D0-D7 0 Max. 500ns TDWR READY RDY BUSY TDWR = Normal command mode: Graphic DMA Mode: *RDY=0(BUSY) is output every 1 byte. Min 1S Min 15S This module has 256 bytes of receiving buffer internally, and after data is inputted, RDY signal is set to RDY=0(BUSY) until it is stored into the receiving buffer. If data is inputted when receiving buffer is full, RDY signal is set to RDY=0(BUSY) until space for 1 byte will be available in receiving buffer. It changes, and is variable depending on the command contents, or data writing frequency at user side. Due to above reason, RDY line should be always checked for data writing. 6.2.3 USB Interface timing USB 1.1 Compatible, Refer to USB 1.1 standard. 7 Setup 7.1 DIP-Switch (SW1) SW No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Function Default Off Off Off Off Off Off Off Off Display address select (For multi connection) Baud Rate select Command mode select Operating Mode select Protocol select Detail of setup for DIP SW, refer to 256x128dot "General function" software spec.,"Setup" -9- GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification 8 Connector 8.1 For -3xx0 Series 8.1.1 RS-232 Interface & Power connector (CN1) Pin No. Signal name Function Direction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RXD DTR DSR TXD TEST * VCC GND Data receive Display busy Host busy Data send TEST (Factory use only) Power supply (5V) Ground Input Output Input Output Input Input Input * Internally connected. (Be sure to leave this pin open) 8.1.2 8.1.3 Parallel interface & Power connecter (CN4) Pin No. Signal name 1 D7 3 D5 5 Direction Pin No. Signal name Data input Input 2 D6 Data input Input Data input Input 4 D4 Data input Input D3 Data input Input 6 D2 Data input Input 7 D1 Data input Input 8 D0 Data input Input 9 GND Ground Input 10 /WR Data write 11 GND Ground Input 12 RDY Display READY 13 GND Ground Input 14 GND Ground Input 15 VCC Power supply (5V) Input 16 VCC Power supply (5V) Input Function Function Direction Input Output I/O Port connector (CN2, 14 through holes) Pin No. Signal name 1 2 3 Bit5 4 Bit4 5 Bit3 12 Bit0 6 Bit2 13 VCC Power supply (5V) Input 7 Bit1 14 GND Ground Input Pin No. Signal name Function Direction Bit7 8 Bit0 Port 0 Input/Output Bit6 9 Bit3 Function Input/Output Port 0 Direction Input/Output - 10 - 10 Bit2 Input 11 Bit1 Port 1 Input GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification 8.2 For -3xx1 Series 8.2.1 Power connector (CN1) 8.2.2 Pin No. Signal name Function Direction 1 2 3 VCC GND TEST * Power supply (5V) Ground TEST (Factory use only) Input Input Input Pin No. Signal name Function Direction 1 2 3 4 Vbus * D+ DGND VBus + Data - Data Ground Input Input/Output Input/Output Input USB connector (CN5) The power supply from Vbus can not be used for power supply for module driving. The power supply for module driving should be inputted from Power connector. 8.2.3 I/O Port connector (CN2, 14 through holes) Pin No. Signal name 1 2 3 Bit5 4 Bit4 Pin No. Signal name Function Direction Bit7 8 Bit0 Port 0 Input/Output Bit6 9 Bit3 Function Input/Output Port 0 Direction Input/Output 10 Bit2 Input 11 Bit1 Port 1 Input 5 Bit3 12 Bit0 6 Bit2 13 VCC Power supply (5V) Input 7 Bit1 14 GND Ground Input - 11 - GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification 8.3 Connectors 8.3.1 For -3xx0 series PCB RS-232 I/F & Power connector JST: B7B-XH-A or equivalent 1pin 2pin 15pin 16pin 1pin Parallel I/F & Power connector IRISO: IMSA-9032B-16P or Equivalent 7pin 8.3.2 For -3xx1 series PCB USB connector JST: B4B-XH-A or equivalent Power connector JST: B3B-XH-A or equivalent 4pin 1pin 1pin 3pin - 12 - GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification 9 Outline Drawing 9.1 For -3xx0 series - 13 - GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification 9.2 For -3xx1 series - 14 - GU256X128C-3xxx Series Hardware Specification Notice for the Cautious Handling VFD Modules Handling and Usage Precautions: Please carefully follow the appropriate product application notes for proper usage, safety handling, and operation standards for maximum performance. [VFD tubes are made of glass] * Because the edges of the VFD glass-envelop are not smooth, it is necessary to handle carefully to avoid injuries to your hands * Please avoid breaking the VFD glass-envelop to prevent injury from sharp glass particles. * The tip of the exhaust pipe is fragile so avoid shock from impact. * It is recommended to allow sufficient open space surrounding the exhaust pipe to avoid possible damage. * Please design the PCB for the VFD-module within 0.3 mm warping tolerance to avoid any forces that may damage the display due to PCB distortion causing a breakdown of the electrical circuit leading to VFD failure. [High voltage] * Avoid touching conductive electrical parts, because the VFD-module uses high voltage exceeding 30100 volts. * Even when electric power is turned off, it may take more than one minute for the electrical current to discharge. [Cable connection] * Do not unplug the power and/or data cables of VFD-modules during operating condition because unrecoverable damage may result. * Sending input signals to the VFD-module during a power off condition sometimes causes I/O port damage. * It is recommended to use a 30 cm or shorter signal cable to prevent functional failures. [Electrostatic charge] * VFD-modules need electrostatic free packaging and protection from electrostatic charges during handling and usage. [Structure] * During operation, VFD and VFD-modules generate heat. Please consider sufficient heat radiation dissipation using heat sink solutions. * We prefer to use UL grade materials or components in conjunction with VFD-modules. * Wrap and twist motion causes stress and may break VFDs & VFD modules. Please adhere to allowances within 0.3mm at the point of attachment. [Power] * Apply regulated power to the VFD-module within specified voltages to protect from failures. * Because some VFD-modules may consume in rush current equal to twice the typical current at power-on timing, we recommend using a sufficient power capability and quick starting of the power regulator. * VFD-module needs a specified voltage at the point of connection. Please use an adequate power cable to avoid a decrease in voltage. We also recommend inserting a power fuse for extra protection. [Operating consideration] * Illuminating phosphor will decrease in brightness during extended operation. If a fixed pattern illuminates for an extended period,( several hours), the phosphor efficiency will decrease compared to the non operating phosphor causing a non uniform brightness among pixels. Please consider programming the display patterns to use all phosphor segments evenly. Scrolling may be a consideration for a period of time to refresh the phosphor condition and improve even illumination to the pixels. * We recommend using a signal cable 30cm or less to avoid some possible disturbances to the signal. [Storage and operating environment] * Please use VFD-modules under the recommended specified environmental conditions. Salty, sulfur and dusty environments may damage the VFD-module even during storage. [Discard] * Some VFDs contain a small amount of cadmium in the phosphor and lead in the solder. When discarding VFDs or VFD-modules, please adhere to governmental related laws or regulations. [Others] * Although the VFD-module is designed to be protected from electrical noise, please plan your circuitry to exclude as much noise as possible. * Do not reconstruct or repair the VFD-module without our authorization. We cannot assure the quality or reliability of unauthorized reconstructed VFD-modules. Notice: We do not authorize the use of any patents that may be inherent in these specifications. Neither whole nor partial copying of these specifications are permitted without our approval. If necessary , please ask for assistance from our sales consultant. This product is not designed for military, aerospace, medical or other life-critical applications. If you choose to use this product for these applications, please ask us for prior consultation or we cannot take responsibility for problems that may occur. - 15 -