SDI 40S203DA4 (Tentative) Page 2 / 13

1. SCOPE
This specification applies to VFD module(Model No:40S203DA4) manufactured by Samsung SDI.

2. FEATURES
2.1 Simple connection to the host system. Either parallel or serial input interface can be selected. In
case of serial input, it is possible to choose 1200, 2400, 4800 or 9600 bps.

2.2 Since a DC/ DC converter is used, only +5Vdc power source is required to operate the module.

2.3 One chip micom offers ASCII(96 characters)+European(122 characters) or ASCII+Japanese Katakana
(128 characters) Font.

2.4 Four brightness levels can be selected by dimming function.

2.5 High quality blue-green(505 nm) vacuum fluorescent display provides an attractive and readable
medium. Other colors can be achieved by simple wavelength filters.

2.6 Characters are provided with a 5x7 dot matrix.

2.7 The module has up to 16 user definable characters.

3. GENERAL DESCRIPTIONS
3.1 This specification becomes effective after being approved by the purchaser.

3.2 When any conflict is found in the specification, appropriate action shall be taken upon agreement
of both parties.

3.3 The expected necessary service parts should be arranged by the customer before the completion
of production.

4. PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
4.1 Type
Table_1
Type 4 0 S203DA4
Digit Format 5x7 Dot Matrix with Cursor

4.2 Outer Dimensions, Weight (See Fig-3 on Page 5/13 for details)
Table_2
Parameter Specification Unit
Outer Width 240 +/-1.0 mm
Dimensions Height 43.0 +/-1.0 mm
Thickness 27.5 Max mm
Weight Typical 165 g
 SDI 40S203DA4 (Tentative) Page 3 / 13

4.3 Specifications of the Display Panel (See Fig-5 for details) Table_3
Parameter Symbol Specification Unit
Display Size WxH 188.45 x 15.9 mm
Number of Digit - 40 Digits x 2 Rows -
Character Size WxH 3.2 x 4.9 mm
Character Pitch - 4.75(x) / 10.0(y) mm
Display Color - Blue-Green (505 nm) -

4.4 Environment Conditions Table_4

Parameter Symbol Min. Max. Unit
o
Operating Temperature TOPR -20 +70 C
o
Storage Temperature TSTG -40 +85 C
Humidity (Operating) TOPR 20 85 %
Humidity (Non-operating) TSTG 20 90 %
Vibration (10 ~ 55 Hz) - - 4 G
Shock - - 40 G

4.5 Absolute Maximum Ratings Table_5

Parameter Symbol Min. Max. Unit
Supply Voltage V CC - 7.0 V DC
Input Signal Voltage V IS 0 V CC V DC

4.6 Recommend Operating Conditions Table_6

Parameter Symbol Min. Typ. Max. Unit
Supply Voltage V CC 4.5 5.0 5.5 V DC
H-Level Input Voltage V IH 2.4 - V CC +0.3 V DC
L-Level Input Voltage V IL - - 0.8 V DC

4.7 DC Characteristics (Ta=+25oC, Vcc=+5.0VDC ) Table_7

Parameter Symbol Min. Typ. Max. Unit
Supply Current *) ICC - 700 1000 mA
H-Level Input Current IIH - - 40 uA
L-Level Input Current IIL - - -0.36 mA
H-Level Ouput Voltage @IOH=-0.5mA V OH 3.6 - - V DC
L-Level Ouput Voltage @IOL=0.5mA V OL - - 0.4 V DC
Luminance L 100 200 - ft-L
* Note) The surge current can be approx. 3 times the specified supply current at power on.
However, the exact peak surge current amplitude and duration are dependent on the
characteristics of the host power supply.
 SDI 40S203DA4 (Tentative) Page 4 / 13

4.8 AC Characteristics (Ta=+25 oC, Vcc=+5.0VDC )

Table_8
Parameter Symbol Min. Max. Unit

Pulse width of WR Tpw (WR) 50 - ns

Set up time of /SEL Tsu(/SEL) 50 - ns

Holding time of /SEL Th (/SEL) 50 - ns

Set up time of data bus Tsu (data) 50 - ns

Holding time of data bus Th (data) 50 - ns

Delay time of BUSY Tdelay - 50 ns

Execution time of data Texe - 750 us

Wait time of next WR Twait 50 - ns

4.9 Timing Chart

4.9.1 Parallel Input Timing

Tpw
WR
Tsu(/SEL) Th(/SEL)

/SEL
Tsu(DATA) Th(DATA)

DATA VALID DATA

Tdelay Texe Twait

BUSY
Fig-1. Parallel Input Timing Diagram

4.9.2 Serial Input Timing

Tdata

RXD START D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 STOP

Tdata = 10 6 / Baud-rate [us]

Fig-2 Serial Input Timing Diagram

In case of serial input mode, it is not necessary to check the BUSY signal because the execution
time of data (Texe) is shorter than the input time of 1 byte serial data. In this mode, BUSY signal
always holds low state.
 SDI 40S203DA4 (Tentative) Page 5 / 13

4.10 Outer Dimensions

240.0 +/-1.0
5.0 +/-1.0 230.0 +/-0.5

25.8 (188.45) 4-O3.5 +/-0.3

(5.0)
+/-1.0

35.0
+/-0.5
(15.9)
43.0
+/-1.0
DISP L AY AREA 33.5
+0.7
-0.5

21.5
13.6
+/-1.0
+/-1.0

4.75 +/-1.0

+0.8
10.0 +/-1.0 220.0 -0.5

12.5 +/-1.0

14.0 Max Mo untin g Co mp onent

(120.0) (Unit : mm)

Fig-3. Outer Dimensions

4.11 Pattern Details

188.45
4.75 0.71
0.40
3.20 1.55 0.36 0.75

4.90
5.90
0.60
0.40

15.9 4.10

(Unit : mm)

Fig-4. Pattern Details

 SDI 40S203DA4 (Tentative) Page 6 / 13

4.12 System Block Diagram

I/O Unit Control Unit Driving Unit Display

D0 ~ D7 CMOS A1~ A72

LOGIC GRID &
Vcc
8-bit ANODE VFD
MICOM DRIVER 40S203
/SEL
G1~ G40
WR Vcc

BUSY Vbb
Vcc

B0
Baud Rate
/TEST B1 Selector (B0,B1)
RXD RXD
F0 Default Font Table
Selector (F0)
RESET /RST
OSC

(+5Vdc) Vbb
Vcc DC/DC Converter
F1
GND Circuit
F2

Fig-5. VFD Module System Block Diagram

4.13 Signal Interfacing

¡¤Connector(Male) : PH-2S10-FG (Aster) or equivalent
Mate Socket(Female) : HIF3B-20D-2.54R (by Hirose) or equivalent Table_9
Pin No Signal Parallel Serial Pin No Signal Parallel Serial
1 D7 O NC 2 Vcc O O
3 D6 O NC 4 Vcc O O
5 D5 O NC 6 Vcc O O
7 D4 O NC 8 GND O O
9 D3 O NC 10 GND O O
11 D2 O NC 12 GND O O
13 D1 O NC 14 GND O O
15 D0 O NC 16 /TEST O O
17 WR O NC 18 /SEL O NC
19 RXD NC O 20 BUSY O NC
Note) O : Connection, NC : No Connection
 SDI 40S203DA4 (Tentative) Page 7 / 13

5. FUNCTIONS
The module has data and control code write-in, self test and power on reset function.

Data and Control Code Write-in Table Table_10

/TEST WR /SEL Function

1 or Open 0 1 0 Data and Control Code Write-in

0 X X Self-Test mode
X : Don't care.

When the data is being written-in, the BUSY signal is active (High) which indicates that the module is
processing the data.

5.1 Character Data Write-in

When the character data code (20 Hex~FF Hex) is transferred to the module, the character font
is displayed on the screen.
At this time, the cursor will be shifted to the right one digit automatically.

5.2 Control Code Write-in

The control commands are available as follows and details are will be explained.
(1) DIM : Dimming ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 04 Hex
(2) BS : Back Space ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 08 Hex
(3) HT : Horizontal Tab ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 09 Hex
(4) LF : Line Feed ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 0A Hex
(5) CR : Carriage Return ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 0D Hex
(6) DP : Display Position ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10 Hex
(7) DC1 : Normal Display Mode ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11 Hex
(8) DC2 : Vertical Scroll Mode ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 Hex
(9) DC3 : Cursor On Mode ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 13 Hex
(10) DC4 : Cursor Off Mode ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 14 Hex
(11) DC5 : Cursor Blinking Mode ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 15 Hex
(12) DC6 : Horizontal Scroll Mode ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 16 Hex
(13) FA : General European Font ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 18 Hex
(14) FB : Japanese Katakana Font ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 19 Hex
(15) UDF : Store an User-Definable Font ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1B Hex
(16) RST : Reset (Initialization) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1F Hex

5.2.1 DIM (04 Hex) : Dimming

Brightness can be controlled into four levels by using this function. After writing 04 Hex, the
successive Hex byte mentioned under is written to change the brightness level.

Syntax : DIM Command (04 Hex) + Dimming Level Data (See Table_11)
Table_11
Dimming Level Data
100 % 80 ~ FF Hex
60 % 60 ~ 7F Hex
40 % 40 ~ 5F Hex
20 % 00 ~ 3F Hex
 SDI 40S203DA4 (Tentative) Page 8 / 13

5.2.2 BS (08 Hex) : Back Space

DC1 Mode : The write-in position is shifted to the left one digit and the character previously
displayed on the digit will be cleared. (Beyond this point, the cursor position is identical with
the write-in position of the display unless otherwise specified. Under DC4 mode, the cursor
will not be shown up.) When the write-in position is on the most significant digit of the
second row, the cursor moves to the least significant digit of the first row. When the write-in
position is on the most significant digit of the first row, the cursor moves to the least
significant digit of the second row.
DC2 & DC6 Mode : The same as DC1 mode operation.

5.2.3 HT (09 Hex) : Horizontal Tab

DC1 Mode : The write-in position is shifted to the right one digit. When the write-in position is on
the least significant digit of the first row, the cursor moves to the most significant digit of the
second row. When the write-in position is on the least significant digit of the second row, the
cursor moves to the first row.
DC2 Mode : When the write-in position is on the least significant digit of the second row, the
characters displayed in the second row are shifted up to the first row and the cursor moves
to the most significant digit of the second row. Subsequently, the second row is cleared.
DC6 Mode : The same as DC1 mode operation

5.2.4 LF (0A Hex) : Line Feed

DC1 Mode : The write-in position moves up or down to the other row staying on the
same column.
DC2 Mode : When the write-in position is on the second row, the characters
displayed in the second row are shifted up to the first row, leaving the
cursor at its present position, then the second row is cleared. When the write
-in position is on the first row, the same as DC1 mode operation.
DC6 Mode : The same as DC1 mode operation

5.2.5 CR (0D Hex): Carriage Return

The write-in position moves to the most significant digit of the same row.

5.2.6 DP (10 Hex) : Display Position

Instead of writing the character from the first digit, the write-in starting position can be pointed out
by using this command. After writing data 10 Hex, the successive Hex byte is written to specify
the position desired.

Syntax : DP (10 Hex) + Cursor Position Data (See Table_12)

Table_12
Left End 2nd Column 3rd Column ~~~~~~~~ 39th Column Right End

00 Hex 01 Hex 02 Hex ~~~~~~~~ 26 Hex 27 Hex

28 Hex 29 Hex 2A Hex ~~~~~~~~ 4E Hex 4F Hex

DC1, DC2 and DC6 modes are selection command of display mode.
5.2.7 DC1 (11 Hex) : Normal Display Mode
After writing a character, the write-in position is shifted to the right one digit automatically. When
the write-in position is on the least significant digit of the first row, the cursor moves to the most
significant digit of the second row. When the character is displayed on the least significant digit
of the second row, the cursor moves to the most significant digit of the first row.
 SDI 40S203DA4 (Tentative) Page 9 / 13

5.2.8 DC2 (12 Hex) : Vertical Scroll Mode

After writing the characters up to the least significant digit of the second row, all the characters
displayed in the second row are shifted up to the first row, clearing the second row. And the
cursor moves to the most significant digit of the second row.
When th power is turned on, this DC2 mode is defaultly selected and will be held until another
mode (DC1 or DC6 Mode) is selected.

5.2.9 DC6 (16 Hex) : Horizontal Scroll Mode

After writing the characters up to the least significant digit of each row, all the characters
displayed in the same row of cursor position are shifted one digit to the left. At this time, the
characters displayed on the most significant digit will be disappeared. But the characters displayed
in the other row will not be changed.

DC3~DC5 are the cursor control command.

5.2.10 DC3 (13 Hex) : Cursor On Mode
The cursor is displayed. When the power is turned on, this mode is defaultly selected and will be
held until another mode (DC4 or DC5 mode) is selected.

5.2.11 DC4 (14 Hex) : Cursor Off Mode

The cursor won't be displayed.

5.2.12 DC5 (15 Hex) : Cursor Blinking Mode

The cursor is blinked.

5.2.13 FA (18 Hex) : General European Font

The FA font table (See Table_15.1 on Page 12/13) is selected.

5.2.14 FB (19 Hex) : Japanese Katakana Font

The FB font table (See Table_15.2 on Page 13/13) is selected.

5.2.15 UDF (1B Hex) : User Definable Font

The characters can be designed by using this command. These font data are memorized in the
RAM of the module.

Syntax : UDF(1B Hex) + CHR(00 ~ FF Hex) + PT1 + PT2 + PT3 + PT4 + PT5

Any 5x7 dots pattern consisted of data form PT1 through PT5 (3rd ~ 7th byte) can be stored in
the character code location specified by CHR (2nd byte). And the maximum kinds of UDFs
(User Definable Font) are 16 characters at once. Storing more than 16 will kill the oldest font.
However within 16 characters codes where already defined by UDF,the over-write-latest font
replaces the former font.

* 1st byte : UDF (03 Hex) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Specify UDF command.

* 2nd byte : CHR (00~FF Hex) ~~~~~~~~~ Specify the character code location from 00 Hex
to FF Hex by CHR. If CHR overlaps control codes such as BS, HT, LF etc., the
control function will be lost. Therfore, overlaps to the UDF code (03 Hex) may not avail
further UDF function.

* 3rd~7th byte : (00 Hex ~ FF Hex) ~~~~~~~ Specify ON or OFF of 35 dots position.
Table_11.1 shows the relation between dot position and data formation. The notation of
"X.Y" means the Yth bit of Xth byte. For example, 3.7 means MSB(Most Significant
Bit) of 3rd byte and 6.0 means LSB (Least Significant Bit) of 6th byte.
("1" = dot turn on, "0" = dot turn off at Table_13.2)
 SDI 40S203DA4 (Tentative) Page 10 / 13

Bit Map of 5x7 Dot Matrix (Example) In Case of "S"

Table_13.1 Table_13.2
3.7 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.3 0 1 1 1 1

3.2 3.1 3.0 4.7 4.6 1 0 0 0 0 ¡¤3rd byte : 7C Hex

4.5 4.4 4.3 4.2 4.1 1 0 0 0 0 ¡¤4th byte : 20 Hex

4.0 5.7 5.6 5.5 5.4 0 1 1 1 0 ¡¤5th byte : E0 Hex

5.3 5.2 5.1 5.0 6.7 0 0 0 0 1 ¡¤6th byte : 87 Hex

6.6 6.5 6.4 6.3 6.2 0 0 0 0 1 ¡¤7th byte : C0 Hex
6.1 6.0 7.7 7.6 7.5 1 1 1 1 0
*) 7.4~7.0 are don't care.

5.2.16 RST (1F Hex) : Reset

This command is used to initialize the module.
All the characters displayed are erased. The write-in position will be set on the most significant
digit of the first row and display the cursor(set to DC3).
The display mode is set to DC2 (Vertical Scroll) mode, dimming level is set to FF Hex (100 %).
Also, the baud-rate and character font table is defaultly set by the combination of following
Table_15.
But in this case, the user-defined fonts that were already defined remain effective.

Soldering Switch OPEN/SHORT Combination Table Table_14

B0 B1 F0 F U N C T I O N
Open Open X 1,200 bps
Short Open X 2,400 bps
Baud-rate Selection
Open Short X 4,800 bps

Short Short X 9,600 bps

X X Open "FA" Font
Character Font Selection
X X Short "FB" Font

Open Open Open Setting at Factory

X : Don't Care
*) The switch symbols (B0, B1 and F0) are marked on PCB rear side.

5.3 Power On Reset

When the module is turned on, the display and memory are cleared and the module is initialized.
The displaying status are the same as RST command.

5.4 Self Test Mode

Self test starts when /TEST = "1" to "0". (Connecter pin #16 is connected to GND.)
The display shows all characters, Alphabet, Numerics and symbols in that order. In using this mode,
neither data nor control code write-in is allowed. To release this mode, /TEST must be set to "1".
 SDI 40S203DA4 (Tentative) Page 11 / 13

6. OPERATING RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 Avoid applying excessive shock or vibration beyond the specification for the VFD module.

6.2 Since VFDs are made of glass material, careful handling is required.
i.e. Direct impact with hard material to the glass surface(especially exhaust tip) may crack the glass.

6.3 When mounting the VFD module to your system, leave a slight gap between the VFD glass and
your front panel. The module should be mounted without stress to avoid flexing of the PCB.

6.4 Avoid plugging or unplugging the interface connection with the power on, otherwise it may cause
the severe damage to input circuitry.

6.5 Slow starting power supply may cause non-operation because one chip micom won't be reset.

6.6 Exceeding any of maximum ratings may cause the permanent damage.

6.7 Since the VFD modules contain high voltage source, careful handling is required while power is on.

6.8 When the power is turned off, the capacitor does not discharge immediately.
So the high voltage applied to the VFD must not get in contact with ICs. In other words, short-
circuit of mounted components on PCB within 30 seconds after power-off may cause damage the
module.

6.9 The power supply must be capable of providing at least 3 times the rated current, because the
surge current may be 3 times the specified current consumption when the power is turned on.

6.10 Avoid using the module where excessive noise interference is expected.
Noise may affects the interface signal and causes improper operation. And it is important to keep
the length of the interface cable less than 50cm.

6.11 Since all VFD modules contain C-MOS ICs, anti-static handling procedures are always required.
 SDI 40S203DA4 (Tentative) Page 12 / 13

"FA" (General European) Font Table Table_15.1

Up per D7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
D6 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1
D5 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1
L o we r D4 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1

D3 D2 D1 D0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F

0 0 0 0 0 DP

0 0 0 1 1 DC1

0 0 1 0 2 DC2

0 0 1 1 3 DC3

0 1 0 0 4 DIM DC4

0 1 0 1 5 DC5

0 1 1 0 6 DC6

0 1 1 1 7

1 0 0 0 8 BS

1 0 0 1 9 HT

1 0 1 0 A LF

1 0 1 1 B UDF

1 1 0 0 C

1 1 0 1 D CR FA

1 1 1 0 E FB

1 1 1 1 F RST
 SDI 40S203DA4 (Tentative) Page 13 / 13

"FB" (Japanese Katakana) Font Table Table_15.2

Up per D7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
D6 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1
D5 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1
L o we r D4 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1

D3 D2 D1 D0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F

0 0 0 0 0 DP

0 0 0 1 1 DC1

0 0 1 0 2 DC2

0 0 1 1 3 DC3

0 1 0 0 4 DIM DC4

0 1 0 1 5 DC5

0 1 1 0 6 DC6

0 1 1 1 7

1 0 0 0 8 BS

1 0 0 1 9 HT

1 0 1 0 A LF

1 0 1 1 B UDF

1 1 0 0 C

1 1 0 1 D CR FA

1 1 1 0 E FB

1 1 1 1 F RST