Vacuum fluorescent displays are commonly used in VCRs and microwaves. They are relatively bright and have a low power consumption. Some older calculators used them before LCDs became popular.
A VFD is a lot like a vacuum tube - in fact it is one except that the anode is coated with a phosphor which glows when hit by electrons. The filament requires about 40-120 mA at a few volts. Too high a voltage will make the filament glow red or even fail. Most displays have more than one filament wire in parallel. The filament is held at close to 0V. A high signal, usually 12V, on the grid and anode lights up the corresponding segments. The grid drives the digit and the anode drives the segments.
VFD Manufacturers
Copyright© 2021. Global Flat Panel Display Industry Study [return to home page] [team] [purpose] [methods] [publications] [technologies] [links]. Updated on June 14, 2021. Send comments or questions to hartj@indiana.edu.