User's Guide
SNVA075B – September 2004 – Revised April 2013
AN-1300 LP3943 Evaluation Kit
1
LP3943 Overview
The LP3943 is an integrated device capable of independently driving 16 LEDs. This device also contains
an internal oscillator that provides all the necessary timing required for driving LED. Two prescaler
registers along with two PWM registers provide a versatile duty cycle control. The LP3943 contains the
ability to dim/blink LEDs in SMBUS/I2C applications. For more information, please refer to LP3943
RGB/White/Blue 16-LED Fun Light Driver (SNVS256).
2
Evaluation Kit Overview
LP3943 Evaluation Kit contains the evaluation board and PC software, and supports complete functional
evaluation of the LP3943. All functions of the chip can be programmed via the use of the I2C interface
port. The PC software provided emulates the I2C bus communication protocol. Hand shaking logic to
interface to PC’s parallel port and all necessary level shifting is provided.
3
Getting Started
The following instructions show how to use the LP3943 evaluation kit in default conditions. Please use the
ESD protection (ground cable) to prevent any unwanted damaging ESD events.
Install the evaluation software on a PC by copying the “LP3943.exe” from the CD to the LP3943 folder in
your computer. There are two ways to launch the software: without the evaluation board or with the
evaluation board connected to the cable.
Launching the software without the evaluation board:
1. Start the software by double-clicking on its icon. A message will appear stating that the LP3943 board
is not detected, and will ask if the user wants to switch to virtual LED mode. Click “Yes.”
2. The default conditions of the virtual LEDs are different than that of the LP3943. Please be aware that
the virtual LEDs simulate the functionality of the LP3943, but they do not perform exactly to the
specification. To truly evaluate the LP3943, please request an LP3943 evaluation board.
Launching the software with the evaluation board connected to the LPT cable:
1. Connect a power supply (typically 5V) to “VDD” and “GND” pins. Power supply’s negative terminal
should be connected to “GND” and positive to “VDD”. This will provide power to the LP3943 and the
LEDs. Jumper JP1 should be in the “VDD” position. For added flexibility, a separate power supply can
be connected to “VEXT” to supply power to LEDs, with jumper JP1 in the “VEXT” position.
2. The evaluation board is now ready for operation. Turn on the power supply.
3. Connect the LPT cable to the evaluation board and the LPT port of your PC.
4. Start the software by double-clicking on its icon.
5. The evaluation kit is now ready to use and the LP3943 can be programmed and controlled through the
PC software.
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SNVA075B – September 2004 – Revised April 2013
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AN-1300 LP3943 Evaluation Kit
1
Getting Started
www.ti.com
Figure 1. LP3943 Software in Virtual LED Mode with All LEDs Turned On (this is not the default state)
Figure 2. LP3943 Software Launched with Evaluation Board Connected to LPT Cable (in default state)
2
AN-1300 LP3943 Evaluation Kit
SNVA075B – September 2004 – Revised April 2013
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Control Panel
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4
Control Panel
Individual LED settings – allows the user to program LED0 to LED15 by turning it on or off, or
dimming/blinking at a specified rate. DIM0 corresponds to the values programmed in PWM0 and PSC0
registers. DIM1 corresponds to the values programmed in PWM1 and PSC1 registers. The default state is
off for all LEDs.
DIM0 – The sliding bars control the PSC0 and PWM0 registers. The PSC0 register is used to program the
period of DIM0 (6.25msec to 1.6sec). The PWM0 register is used to program the duty cycle of DIM0 (0%
to 100%). The default values are 6.25msec and 50% duty cycle.
DIM1 – The sliding bars control the PSC1 and PWM1 registers. The PSC1 register is used to program the
period of DIM1 (6.25msec to 1.6sec). The PWM1 register is used to program the duty cycle of DIM1 (0%
to 100%). The default values are 6.25msec and 50% duty cycle.
Registers – This display shows the current status of the ten registers (in hex) in the LP3943. Registers 00
and 01 are read-only registers that can be updated by clicking on the buttons. The other registers can be
updated by clicking on “Read All.”
COMM – Message indicating proper/improper I2C communication. Upon successful communication, “Ack
OK” with green background will be displayed. Otherwise, “NoAck” with red background will be displayed.
Errors include absence of power supply to the evaluation board, absence of LPT cable connection, and
wrong LPT port address.
LPT Base – Three options for LPT port setting. Default value is 378.
Demos to screen – By selecting this option, the individual LED settings panel will become active to reflect
the states of LEDs in demos.
Demo1 – Music demo. The LEDs are controlled by the amplitude of the music.
Demo2 – Music demo. The LEDs will light up in circle as music progresses.
Demo3 – Non-music demo to illustrate dimming effect of LEDs.
Flash – The RGB LED will all turn on to create a flashlight effect.
Auto Write On/Off – When auto write feature is on (the box is checked), any change will take place
immediately. If auto write is off (the box is not checked), changes will take place only after pressing “Write
All.” Any LED that is programmed while auto write is off will only take place if “Write All” button is pressed
before auto write is on; otherwise, these LEDs will go back to their previous states.
Reset – resets the LP3943 in its default state and erases all previously programmed value on the control
panel to reflect the LP3943 default state.
Write All – All programmed values on the control panel will be executed when this button is pressed.
Read All – All ten registers will be read from the chip to refresh the control panel when this button is
pressed.
Quit – Quits the program.
SNVA075B – September 2004 – Revised April 2013
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AN-1300 LP3943 Evaluation Kit
3
Bill of Material for LP3943
5
www.ti.com
Bill of Material for LP3943
Designator
Description
Footprint
Comment
C1, C2, C3, C5, C7, C8, C9
0.1 µF, ceramic
0805
TDK C2012X7R1H104K
C4, C6
2.2 µF, ceramic
0805
R0 – R15, except R7, R8
82ohm
0603
R7
120ohm
0603
R8
140ohm
0603
RSCL, RSDA
2.2k
0603
RA0, RA1, RA2
100k
0603
K1
DB25T
DB25T
SPC Tech
D1, D2
SCHOTTKY Rectifier
0805
On Semi MBRM120
JP1
HEADER 2 × 2
LED0 - LED15, except 7,8,9
blue
LED7,8,9
RGB
U2
Level Shifter
0.15" SOIC16
On Semi MC14504B
U3
Level Shifter
0.15" SOIC16
On Semi MC14504B
U4
3 state quad buffers
0.15" SOIC14
Fairchild MM74HC125M
U1
LED driver
NHW0024A
Texas Instruments LP3943
SPC Tech
0805
Vishay or Osram
Sharp
The brightness of LED is controlled by how much current goes through it. On the LP3943 evaluation
board, resistors R0 to R15 set the current going through LED0 to LED15, respectively. Except for R7, R8
and R9, the rest of the resistors are 82ohm to program 15mA through each LED. R7=120ohm to provide
15mA for blue LED, R8=140ohm to provide 20mA for red LED, and R9=82ohm to program 15mA for
green LED. These resistors are chosen to provide full-scale intensity when the LED is at 100% of the duty
cycle.
4
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SNVA075B – September 2004 – Revised April 2013
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Board Schematic
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6
Board Schematic
RST
VLED
C7
K1
DB25
Data out C0
3
1
5
Clk out C1
14
7
2
9
15
11
3
C4
14
16
0.1
uF
1
4
13
17
D1
5
18
6
19
7
20
8
21
9
22
10
23
11
24
12
25
13
VDD
Data In
S4
AIN
BIN
CIN
DIN
EIN
FIN
VCC
MODE
AOUT
BOUT
COUT
DOUT
EOUT
FOUT
VDD
GND
2
4
6
10
12
15
16
8
VDD
U4
0.1uF
MM74HC125 BUFFERS
U2
MC14504B LEVEL SHIFTER
Data
Clock
1 C1
2
RSCL
2.2k
A4
R12
R11
L15
L14
L13
L12
L11
R10
Y4 11
5
C3 10
A2
VDD
18
RST
A3
9
RSDA
2.2k
19
Y3 8
GND
L10
12
4 C2
7
R13
VDD
C4 13
6 Y2
0.1 uF
R14
VCC 14
A1
3 Y1
C3 VDD
R15
20
17
16
15
LED15 LED14 LED13
14
13
U1
LED12 LED11
12
SCL
LED10
SDA
LED9
VDD
LED8
11
VDD
U3
MC14504B LEVEL SHIFTER
2
4
6
10
12
15
16
8
AOUT
BOUT
COUT
DOUT
EOUT
FOUT
VDD
GND
3
AIN
5
BIN
7
CIN
9
DIN
11
EIN
14
FIN
VCC 1
13
MODE
C6
0.1 uF
C2
2.2uF
C1
0.1uF
21
22
23
24
C5
0.1 uF
10
9
A0
GND
A1
LED7
A2
LED6
8
7
S0
6
LED0
S1
D2
1
LED1
2
LED2
LED3
LED4
3
4
5
LED5
2
4
L6
RGB LED
6
1
5
3
R7
R8
L9
RGB
LED
SHARP
6270A
S2
R6
VLED
L0
L1
L2
L3
L4
L5
JP1
1
3
2
4
VEXT
VDD
C8
2.2 uF
RA0
100k
RA1
100k
RA2
100k
R0
R1
R2
R3
R4
R9
R5
VDD
Figure 3. LP3943 Board Schematic
SNVA075B – September 2004 – Revised April 2013
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AN-1300 LP3943 Evaluation Kit
Copyright © 2004–2013, Texas Instruments Incorporated
5
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