Sample AppKit:

Using the TSM6755 LED Display

This document is the first few pages of our TSM6755 AppKit. The complete AppKit includes
programming information for using the TSM6755 module with the BASIC Stamp I, BASIC
Stamp II and PIC microcontrollers. The “missing” portions of this document contain the
programs and full manufacturer’s spec sheet on the module. The full AppKit consists of 15
pages of printed docs, a TSM6755 module, and the BS1, BS2, and PIC programs on disk.
(The PIC programs are in the Parallax dialect of PIC assembly language.)

The AppKit is $30. To order, contact:

Scott Edwards Electronics

PO Box 160
Sierra Vista, AZ 85636-0160
phone: 520-459-4802; fax: 520-459-0623
Internet: 72037.2612@compuserve.com
Compuserve: 72037,2612
AppKit:
Using the Three-Five Systems TSM6755 LED Display

This AppKit shows how to use the Three-Five Systems (IIIV) TSM6755 numeric LED display
module with PIC microcontrollers and Parallax BASIC Stamp ® single-board computers.

Description

The TSM6755 is a four-digit, 0.5" LED display with integrated driver electronics. A
microcontroller, communicating with the display through a three-wire serial connection, can
turn any of the 34 LEDs of the display module on or off.

The module’s LED driver does not multiplex (scan) the display—LEDs are either fully on or
fully off—so the display will not flicker, regardless of viewing angle or motion. This is an
important feature for instruments that will be used in vehicles, or those that may be
photographed with film or video cameras; no distracting flicker, no missing digits due to fast
shutter speeds or frame rates.

Current to the LEDs controls their brightness. A single resistor sets this current. The ratio of
current through the resistor to LED segment current is approximately 1:25 so that a 400µA
resistor current sets a 10-mA-per-segment LED current. The TSM6755 modules are marked
with a suggested value for the brightness-control resistor, ranging from 5k to 20k.

Hardware interface

The TSM6755 interfaces with controllers through three pins: data, clock, and enable. As long
as the enable pin is kept high, the module ignores any activity on the data and clock lines,
allowing it to share these lines with other devices or functions.

The remaining hardware requirements are minimal. The 0.01µF capacitor from the
brightness-control terminal to ground prevents oscillation of the current-regulating circuitry.
Do not omit it. The brightness-control resistor itself should be picked to match the value
stamped on the back side of the display module. For adjustable brightness, connect a 10k
potentiometer in series with this resistor as shown in the diagram.

Power Supply Considerations. The TSM6755 can draw a lot of current. If the resistor value
stamped on the display is used for the brightness-control resistor, and the VLED supply is
5 volts, the current drawn by each LED segment that’s turned on is approximately 10 mA.
With all 34 LEDs on (displaying 8.8.:8.8.), the total current draw is 340 mA. This will
often require that you use a separate power supply for V LED since many built-in power
supplies for controllers will not supply that much current. For example, the BASIC Stamps I
and II can only provide 50 mA (minus current used by the PBASIC controllers themselves,
typically 2 mA and 8 mA, respectively). The Counterfeit (BS1 controller sold in kit form) is
limited to 100 mA maximum.

1
 a
f b

e c

d dp

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

+5 (VLED)
(see text)
Optional dimmer 0.01µF
control, 10k
TSM6755 Pinout (break wire at x)

1 Not used Brightness control

2 Not used (value printed on
3 VLED TSM6755 module)
4 Ground +5 (VDD)
5 Enable
6 Data Clock
Hookup for Program Listings
7 Clock 3
8 VDD BS1 BS2 PIC
Data
9 Brightness 1 pin0 P0 ra.0
10 Not used 2
2 pin1 P1 ra.1
Enable
3 pin2 P2 ra.2
1

Note: The two digits on the lefthand side of the display have additional vertical
segments to form a + sign in the center of the digits. However, in the TSM6x55
modules, these segments are not fitted with LEDs, and will not light.

Hookup diagram for the PIC and Stamp demo programs

A suitable power supply for V LED can be as simple as the 7805 regulator shown below. In
most applications, the 7805 used for this purpose won’t need a heat sink, or can be fitted with
a simple, clip-on heat sink. Remember that in order for the 7805 to regulate properly, the
input voltage must be at least 7 volts.

7805

V input VLED Output

0.33µF 0.1µF

Software interface

From a software standpoint, driving the TSM6755 requires the controller to:

(1) Clear (write 0 to) the enable line.

(2) Shift 35 bits out to the display, starting with a 1, followed by 34 data bits
representing the on/off states of the LEDs, and a final, extra clock pulse to load the
display-driver’s internal registers.

2
The programs included in this package organize the data bits into groups of bytes. Each byte
represents the bit pattern of one LED digit, plus corresponding decimal point. Table 1 of the
manufacturer’s documentation shows how these bits map to particular LEDs.

PIC users: The PIC source code included with this kit covers only communication with the
TSM6755, not converting data from binary to BCD. If you need math routines to help
implement your application, try The PIC Source Book, available from:

Scott Edwards Electronics

PO Box 160
Sierra Vista, AZ 85636-0160
phone: 520-459-4802; fax: 520-459-0623
Internet: 72037.2612@compuserve.com
Compuserve: 72037,2612

Purchasing TSM6755s Separately

For best pricing and availability of additional TSM6755 modules, contact Farnell
Components, 800-718-1997; fax 800-718-1998; non-800 number 803-796-7958.