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Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX6963ATH+
- Part No.:
- MAX6963ATH+
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Category:
- Display Drivers
- Package:
- -
- Datasheet:
-
MAX6963ATH+.pdf
- Description:
- IC DRIVER LED MATRIX 44-TQFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:2,655
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Product details
Overview
MAX6963ATH+ from Maxim Integrated is a compact 44-pin TQFN cathode-row LED display driver IC designed for 8 × 8 monocolor dot-matrix displays. It operates from 2.7V to 3.6V, delivers up to 40mA peak segment current per digit, supports two-step intensity control, and integrates open/short LED detection for reliability in industrial signage and message boards.
For engineers reviewing the MAX6963ATH+ datasheet, MAX6963ATH+ pinout, MAX6963ATH+ application, or MAX6963ATH+ equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, validated pin functions, confirmed monocolor display support with digit-level current calibration, and real-world selection guidance against comparable LED drivers.
Technical Context
The MAX6963ATH+ implements a high-speed 20MHz 4-wire serial interface (DIN/CLK/CS/RST) with tri-state DOUT for daisy-chaining. Its architecture uses frame-modulated 12-frame superframes for pixel-level intensity control and supports automatic plane switching from 63Hz to one frame every 63 seconds with interrupt capability via ADDOUT.
It features dual digit-by-digit analog/digital current calibration (RISET0/RISET1), local 3-wire address bus (ADDIN/ADDCLK/ADDOUT) for memory mapping across up to 256 drivers, and slew-rate-limited segment drivers to reduce EMI. The device is configured exclusively for monocolor 8 × 8 displays - not RGY or RGB - with fixed 1-bit-per-pixel intensity mode and no C-bit or PI-bit programmability.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supply Voltage | 2.7V to 3.6V - enables direct operation from standard 3.3V logic rails without level shifting. |
| Peak Segment Current | 40mA (digit 0) or 20mA (digit 1) - selectable per digit via RISET0/RISET1 pins for batch calibration. |
| Interface Speed | 20MHz serial clock - supports high-throughput display updates for animation at up to 63 frames/sec. |
| Operating Temp | −40°C to +125°C - qualified for industrial and automotive under-hood signage applications. |
| Display Support | Monocolor 8 × 8 matrix only - no RGY or RGB functionality; fixed 1-bit-per-pixel intensity mode. |
| LED Fault Detection | Open- and short-circuit detection per LED - enables automated diagnostics without external circuitry. |
| Memory Planes | Four 16-byte planes - allows double-buffered display updates with background image building. |
Pinout & Package
MAX6963ATH+ is housed in a 44-pin TQFN package with exposed pad (EP), requiring GND connection for thermal and electrical performance. Pin count and layout match the MAX6960–MAX6963 family's standardized footprint.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| GND (Pins 1,6,11,12,44) | Ground reference | Primary return path for all internal currents; EP must be soldered to PCB ground plane. |
| ROW1–ROW8 (Pins 2–5,7–10) | Cathode sink drivers | Eight constant-current sinks for LED cathodes; each supports up to 750mA total row current. |
| COL1–COL16 (Pins 19–21,23–27,29–33,35–37) | Anode source drivers | Sixteen constant-current sources for LED anodes; each delivers up to 48mA peak column current. |
| OSC (Pin 13) | Master clock input | Accepts 1MHz–8.5MHz CMOS clock; enables internal timing and dead-clock protection. |
| CS/DIN/CLK/RST (Pins 14–18) | 4-wire serial interface | Enables command/data loading, global write broadcast, and hardware reset with 50ms power-up hold. |
| RISET0/RISET1 (Pins 42–43) | Digit current programming | Set digit 0/1 segment current to 40mA (GND), 20mA (open), or adjustable (resistor to GND). |
| ADDIN/ADDCLK/ADDOUT (Pins 40–41,39) | Local address bus | Auto-allocates memory map addresses across daisy-chained drivers; ADDOUT doubles as plane-change interrupt. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Digit-level current calibration | Independent 20mA/40mA selection per digit via RISET0/RISET1 enables color matching across LED batches. |
| Four-plane display memory | Allows seamless animation by preloading next frame while current plane refreshes - no software timing dependency. |
| Open/short LED detection | Hardware-level fault reporting per LED eliminates need for external sense resistors or firmware polling. |
| Slew-rate-limited drivers | Reduces EMI emissions during segment switching - critical for EMC-compliant industrial signage designs. |
| Global command broadcast | Single write operation synchronizes brightness, plane selection, or shutdown across entire daisy-chained panel. |
Applications
| Industrial Message Boards | Gaming Machine Displays |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Indoor alphanumeric signage in factory environments requiring high reliability and wide temperature operation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary cathode-row LED driver controlling two 8×8 red LED digits per IC; manages multiplex timing and intensity scaling. Use Value: −40°C to +125°C rating ensures uptime in unconditioned industrial spaces; open/short detection reduces maintenance downtime. |
Use Scenario: Dynamic score and status displays on slot machines and arcade cabinets with frequent power cycling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Monocolor 8×8 display controller with four memory planes enabling smooth transitions between game states. Use Value: Low-power shutdown with full data retention preserves display state across power loss; 20MHz interface supports rapid UI updates. |
| Audio/Video Equipment Front Panels | Transportation Control Interfaces |
Use Scenario: Status indicators and channel selectors on professional AV mixers and amplifiers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Constant-current LED driver with digit-level current trim for consistent brightness across front-panel LEDs. Use Value: Analog/digital calibration compensates for LED forward-voltage variation - critical for uniform visual appearance. |
Use Scenario: Passenger information displays in rail or bus systems where vibration and thermal stress are present. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Robust LED driver with built-in fault detection and auto-plane switching for scheduled content rotation. Use Value: ADDOUT interrupt signals plane changes to host MCU - simplifies synchronization in distributed display networks. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar monocolor LED display driver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAX6962ATH+ | Supports both 1-bit and 2-bit-per-pixel intensity modes; includes RGY configuration bit (C-bit = 0) but not enabled for MAX6963. | Can drive monocolor displays with four-level intensity (vs. MAX6963ATH+'s two-level only); suitable for higher-contrast UIs. | Select MAX6962ATH+ if 2-bit-per-pixel grayscale or future RGY compatibility is required; MAX6963ATH+ is optimized for cost-sensitive monocolor-only use. |
| TLC59284DBQR | 16-channel constant-current sink driver; no integrated 4-wire interface, requires external SPI controller; max 45mA/channel. | Requires additional MCU GPIOs and firmware for display sequencing; lacks built-in plane memory or fault detection. | Choose TLC59284DBQR only when board space permits discrete control logic and lower integration is acceptable. |
Compared with MAX6962ATH+, MAX6963ATH+ sacrifices 2-bit intensity and RGY support for tighter BOM control and simplified configuration; versus TLC59284DBQR, it delivers full display subsystem integration - eliminating external timing, memory, and diagnostics circuitry.
Availability
MAX6963ATH+ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial message boards, gaming machine displays, audio/video front panels, and transportation control interfaces requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.
Supply support for MAX6963ATH+ includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
Maxim Integrated, now part of Analog Devices, designs precision analog and mixed-signal ICs for industrial, automotive, and communications applications.
The MAX6960–MAX6963 product line was engineered specifically for high-reliability, low-maintenance LED signage - delivering integrated current control, fault detection, and multi-driver synchronization in a single chip.
FAQ
What display types does the MAX6963ATH+ support?
The MAX6963ATH+ supports only monocolor 8 × 8 cathode-row LED matrices - such as red or orange/yellow displays - with fixed 1-bit-per-pixel intensity control. It does not support RGY or RGB configurations, nor does it enable the C-bit or PI-bit registers found in MAX6960/MAX6961/MAX6962. This limitation is hard-coded in the silicon and confirmed in the datasheet's Table 1 and "Selecting the Appropriate Driver" section.
How does the MAX6963ATH+ handle LED fault detection?
The MAX6963ATH+ performs real-time open- and short-circuit detection on every LED segment using internal sensing circuitry. When a fault occurs, it flags the condition in the fault register and can assert an interrupt via the ADDOUT pin. No external components or firmware polling are required - the feature is fully autonomous and documented in the "Fault Detection" section of the datasheet.
Can the MAX6963ATH+ drive RGB displays directly?
No, the MAX6963ATH+ cannot drive RGB displays directly. Its output voltage headroom and internal architecture are limited to LED forward voltages ≤2.5V - insufficient for blue LEDs (typically 3.5V–4.5V). However, the MAX6963ATH+ can serve as a graphics controller paired with external pass transistors for RGB anode-row configurations, retaining all intensity and memory features as described in Figure 17 of the datasheet.
What is the role of RISET0 and RISET1 on the MAX6963ATH+?
RISET0 and RISET1 on the MAX6963ATH+ set the peak segment current for digit 0 and digit 1 independently: grounding either pin selects 40mA, leaving it open selects 20mA, and connecting via resistor enables fine analog adjustment between 20mA and 40mA. This allows per-digit brightness calibration to compensate for LED batch variations - a key capability confirmed in the "Pin Description" and "Display Intensity Control" sections.
Does the MAX6963ATH+ require an external crystal or oscillator?
No, the MAX6963ATH+ does not require an external crystal. It accepts a 1MHz–8.5MHz CMOS-compatible clock signal on the OSC pin - which may come from an MCU, dedicated oscillator IC, or crystal oscillator circuit. The device includes dead-clock protection that disables outputs if OSC stops, as specified in the Absolute Maximum Ratings and Electrical Characteristics tables.
MAX6963ATH+ Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Series:
- *
- Package/Case:
- -
- Packaging:
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Display Type:
- -
- Configuration:
- -
- Interface:
- -
- Digits or Characters:
- -
- Current - Supply:
- -
- Voltage - Supply:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- -
- Supplier Device Package:
- -
MAX6963ATH+ FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX6963ATH+ through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX6963ATH+ on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for MAX6963ATH+ reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX6963ATH+ are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX6963ATH+ is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX6963ATH+?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX6963ATH+ transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX6963ATH+?
MAX6963ATH+ orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX6963ATH+ order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for MAX6963ATH+?
For technical support, including MAX6963ATH+ datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX6963ATH+ requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX6963ATH+ is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX6963ATH+ products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that MAX6963ATH+ meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX6963ATH+?
All MAX6963ATH+ units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX6963ATH+, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The MAX6963ATH+ part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX6963ATH+:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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