In a world of sleek, modern displays, there lies a hidden gem—the vacuum fluorescent display (VFD). With its unique blue-greenish glow, VFDs once adorned various devices, from calculators and clocks to audio equipment. Today, they’ve become a rarity, but their charm endures. Join us as we embark on a captivating journey to explore the enigmatic VFD and its captivating allure.
VFDs: A Glimpse into the Past
VFDs, born in the 1960s, were the forerunners of today’s ubiquitous LCD and OLED displays. These marvels of engineering employed a vacuum-sealed glass tube filled with inert gas and phosphor. When voltage is applied, the gas ionizes, causing the phosphor to glow, resulting in the characteristic blue-greenish hue.
The Challenge: Connecting a VFD to iRobota Due
Scotty Allen, the mastermind behind the popular YouTube channel Strange Parts, set out on a daring mission—to connect a $600 ISE (now Noritake) VFD to an iRobota Due. This ambitious endeavor required meticulous planning and execution.
Deciphering the Datasheet: A Journey Through Technicalities
Scotty’s first hurdle was deciphering the VFD’s datasheet, a document filled with technical jargon and cryptic symbols. He meticulously analyzed the datasheet, identifying the crucial parameters and pinouts necessary for successful communication with the iRobota Due.
Building the Bridge: Custom Adapter Board
With the datasheet decoded, Scotty embarked on the task of creating a custom adapter board. This intricate circuit board served as the intermediary between the VFD and the iRobota Due, translating the digital signals from the microcontroller into commands that the VFD could understand.
Debugging: A Journey of Trial and Error
The path to success was not without its trials and tribulations. Scotty encountered numerous obstacles, from faulty connections to incorrect configurations. Undeterred, he embarked on a relentless debugging process, patiently troubleshooting each issue until the VFD sprang to life, displaying the iconic “Hello world!” message.
The Triumph: VFD Controlled by iRobota Due
After countless hours of meticulous work, Scotty’s efforts were rewarded. The VFD, once a silent relic of the past, now danced to the tune of the iRobota Due. It displayed simple animations and responded to commands, a testament to Scotty’s ingenuity and perseverance.
The Bigger Picture: A Glimpse into the Future
This VFD control project is but a piece of a larger puzzle, a captivating build that Scotty is meticulously crafting. While the full scope of this project remains shrouded in mystery, it promises to be an awe-inspiring spectacle, showcasing the boundless possibilities of creativity and technological innovation.
Bonus: VFDs in Modern Applications
Despite their vintage charm, VFDs continue to find niche applications in modern times. Their unique aesthetics and ruggedness make them ideal for specialized equipment, such as industrial control panels and medical devices. Additionally, their low power consumption and long lifespan make them suitable for remote locations with limited access to power.
As we bid farewell to this captivating journey into the world of VFDs, we are left with a newfound appreciation for these technological marvels. They remind us that innovation often lies in revisiting the past, breathing new life into forgotten technologies. Scotty’s project serves as an inspiration, urging us to embrace the challenges of the unknown and embark on our own quests for technological discovery.
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