Build an 8-digit display using Seven-segment Display and 74HC138

Question

I am trying to create an 8 digit, 7 segment display using an Arduino, 2 4-digit displays and an 74HC138 demux. The 4 displays each have 12 pins: 4 common cathodes, 7 segments and one dot. I thought I would use 8 of the Arduino's digital pins and wire them to the segment and dot pins on the displays, and then use the of the Arduino's digital outputs to control the 74HC138 demux and use that to select the subdisplay. The IC outputs a LOW on the output pin, and so I need to wire a transistor so that it connects the common cathode to ground only when the base current is LOW. Is that correct? How would I wire the components to do that and what transistor do you recommend for this? Should I add any resistors between Arduino's +5V and the LED displays or the IC output and the base terminal of the transistor?

The pinouts for the IC

The 4-digit LED display

Answer 1

Using an external decoder for digit selection is a good idea, since it will save on Arduino pins (but you'll still need 3 address pins). And you are correct that you'll need boost transistors. Connecting a decoder with active-low outputs, like a 74HC138 to transistors to provide active-low display drive is not exactly simple for beginners, since you'll need 2 transistors per channel. You can do it like this

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab} You'll notice that it takes 2 layers of function. Since you're already buying a decoder, you can save some circuitry if you instead use the 74HC238. This is identical to the 138 except that the outputs are active high, and you can do this

^{simulate this circuit} instead. Using the components shown, you'll have no trouble drawing 50 mA per cathode, and 100 mA is entirely reasonable.

Answer 2

In addition to the cathode drivers you will also need buffers for the 8 Arduino digital pins that are used for the Anodes.

Based on the LED display data sheet you may want to drive each segment with 10mA. Since each display digit is only driven 1/8 of the time you have to drive it with approximately 8 times as much current (80mA) to get an equivalent brightness.

Q1 only has to drive one LED at the time so a 2N3906 might be good enough.

Q2 has to be able to handle the current for all the segments in one digit, 7 + dot = 8. If you use 80mA per segments as an example, this means this transistor should be able to handle 8 x 80mA = 640mA.

The CD4051 is a multiplexer that may be an alternative to the 238 that was suggested in another answer.

An easier solution may be a Maxim MAX7219. It greatly simplifies the design and has a lot of functionality. You can use the Arduino's SPI bus to control it.

https://www.maximintegrated.com/en/products/power/display-power-control/MAX7219.html

Some Arduino related stuff can be found here: http://playground.arduino.cc/Main/LEDMatrix