Max 7221 versus AS1107  Led Matrix Chips

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

Hi, was looking at the AustriaMicrosystems AS1107 chip and from what I can tell looking at the data sheet, it seems like a direct replacement for the the MAX7221; at a significantly lower cost (like $4 instead of $10 for MAX7221)

In addition to all the same registers and pin locations as the MAX7221, it also seems to have a "Feature Register" at 0x0E which provides additional functionality.

anybody worked with it? I haven't ordered it yet and I'm not a pro at Arduino or C++, so am curious if anybody thought that the existing MAX7221 libraries would be compatible. (like the "Matrix" or "LedControl" libraries.)

2

It does look very interesting, but where are you going to get it?

Of their 3 North American distributors, Future doesn't carry it, Avnet doesn't stock it, and CDI doesn't have any on hand in DIP. CDI also appears to be an "industrial only" distributor, not interested in selling to hobbyists in small quantities.

Ran

3

I ordered 10 from Newark. (in stock for about $4.00)

4

Thanks: Newark wasn't listed as a distributor, and google didn't return the gazillion "shopping" results that usually annoy me when I'm trying to find tech info >:(

Unfortunately, I probably won't be buying any immediately: my years of failure to clean just caught up with me, and I had to buy a replacement power supply for my dusty Shuttle PC. But I have a bunch of 5x7 and 8x8 dot-matrix LEDs that I haven't put to use because the Maxim chips are so expensive. So, if the existing libraries don't properly support the AS1107, there will definitely be something that will this summer.

Thanks again,

Ran

5

Are you one of the authors of one of the libraries?

Based on my quick look at the sheet and the library code, it seems like it should probably work, but may not support the added 'features' code. We'll see in a week or so when I get the parts. I too have a bunch of 8x8 matrixes lying around that I'm itching to get working... :smiley:

6

Any progress filmo?

7

Yeah I've used these before - LED Matrix Test 1 (Using an AS1107) on Vimeo

They are nice chips, but hard to find.

8

Is the LedControl library compatible with them?

9

I guess it should be. Give it a try and let us know how you get on.

10

Will do, I have 3 free samples on the way from Vienna Austria that should arrive in two days :slight_smile:

11

OK I have just wired up the example schematics and tried out the example code from the Max72xx library using the Austria Microsystems AS1107 chip and indeed it works perfectly without any modification at all. As you say, these chips are obviously a direct replacement for the Max72xx chips but with the advantage that they are :-

  1. Cheaper
  2. Have more functions


12

You beat me to it! I was just about to post my results.. It is indeed compatible with the Max7xx libraries available.

13

Hi,
the AS1107 from austriamicrosystems is 1:1 compatible with the Maxim part.

Interesting thing is that there are also more advanced part:
AS1116
unfortunately you have to invert the input vs. the AS1107

And they are easiely ordered on the webshop.

Br.

14

Coulnd add the urls before :slight_smile:
AS1107 ams OSRAM a global leader in optical solutions | ams OSRAM

AS1116 ams OSRAM a global leader in optical solutions | ams OSRAM

They also offer all parts in a webshop, and also some nice finished boards: