MAXREFDES99

MAXREFDES99# can be powered from a wall-wart which provides a minimum of 7W of power and an output voltage in the range of 7.5VDC to 12VDC. 7W is enough power for the display, plus the microcontroller platform being used through the VIN pin of the target platform. The reference design can be optionally powered from a USB port while developing application code, however, the user must take care not to exceed the power capabilities of the 5V rail supplied by their platform. The recommended method of powering MAXREFDES99# is through a wall-wart connected to J1.

MAXREFDES99# uses the MAX3390E level translator to provide a 3.3V logic-level compatible interface to the four MAX7219 display drivers when using the shield with 3.3V platforms. The serial interface between the platform and the shield uses D10, D11, and D13 for LOAD, DIN, and CLK respectively. The four MAX7219 display drivers are daisy-chained connected with D11 connected to U3 and DOUT of U3 connected to DIN of U4 and so on. DOUT of U6 is left unconnected.