Single Chip Vacuum Fluorescent Display Controller/Driver in Electronically Tuned Radios

The market demand for Electronically Tuned Radios (ETR) has been for more compact lightweight units at lower cost. At the same time, increased options such as cassette tape and compact disc have continued integration into the system. The Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) technology has maintained pace with the market requirements by increasing the flexibility and usable graphics area within a given mechanically fixed area. Various technological innovations have been made to achieve this, such as the implementation of aluminum thin film circuitry and the elimination of the vacuum exhaust stem.

The semiconductor industry has also been keeping pace with the market demand for downsized ETR's. One company, Fujitsu, recently made an announcement of a single chip 4-bit microcomputer. This microcomputer also includes built in Phased Locked Loop (PLL), A/D converter, and VFD drivers in an 80 pin flat package. By combining the recent advances of VFD and the new single chip microcomputer, a more space efficient, cost effective and reliable system can be realized.