PCF85176T/1 - 40x4 LCD Segment Driver I2C TSSOP-56 | NXP
MPN: PCF85176T/1 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.85 | $1.85 |
| 10 | $1.62 | $16.20 |
| 100 | $1.38 | $138.00 |
| 500 | $1.15 | $575.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.95 | $950.00 |
PCF85176T/1 Overview
A segment driver (LCD driver) is a peripheral device that translates digital commands from a microcontroller into the multi-level AC waveforms required to drive a passive-matrix liquid crystal display. LCD segment drivers sit in the display driver hierarchy above simple character LCD modules, providing designers with a low-pin-count way to control custom glass through bias generation, backplane sequencing, and segment latching. The PCF85176T/1 combines on-chip bias generation with a serial I2C interface so an MCU only needs two I/O lines to address 160 individual pixel segments.
Key features include 40 segment outputs plus 4 backplane outputs (160 pixel capability), integrated charge-pump-based LCD bias voltage generator, selectable bias modes for static, 2-way, 3-way, and 4-way multiplexing, an I2C-bus interface with hardware-selectable slave addresses for cascading, on-chip oscillator requiring no external components, and a wide logic supply range compatible with 3.3 V and 5 V microcontrollers. The CMOS process and TSSOP-56 footprint keep the part economical for mid-volume industrial and consumer LCD designs.
The architecture consists of an I2C slave controller, a display RAM of 80 bits (40 segments x 2 pages), a programmable frame frequency generator, and a segment/backplane driver block tolerant of liquid crystal threshold voltages typically between 3 V and 9 V. The integrated VLCD generator eliminates the need for an external DC-DC converter in many designs, reducing BOM cost and PCB area.
Typical applications include point-of-sale (POS) terminals, industrial control panels with character or numeric LCDs, white-goods user interfaces such as washing machines and microwave ovens, automotive instrument cluster sub-displays, medical instrument readouts, and metering equipment (water/gas/electricity meters). Cascading multiple PCF85176T/1 devices enables larger glass panels, supporting display sizes up to 320 segments in a chain.
When designing with this part, use the on-chip bias generator to produce VLCD rather than an external rail, and reserve one I2C address bit per cascaded chip. Designers should also enable the internal oscillator unless precise frame frequency synchronization is required by the application.
Drop-in alternatives for PCF85176T/1 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PCF85176T/1,118
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PCF85176T/1Y
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PCF8576CTG
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PCF8576DT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PCF85176T/1 Specifications
| Device Type | LCD Segment Driver |
| Display Configuration | 4 backplanes x 40 segments (160 pixels) |
| Technology | CMOS |
| Supply Voltage | 5 V (typical, also supports lower VDD) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Package | TSSOP-56 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Interface | I2C-bus (2-wire serial) |
| Frame Frequency | 82 Hz (typical) |
| Multiplex Rate | 1:1 (static) to 1:4 (low multiplex) |
| Bias Modes | Static, 1/2, 1/3 bias selectable |
| VLCD Generator | On-chip charge pump |
| Cascading | Yes, hardware-selectable slave addresses |
| Display RAM | 80 bits (40 segments x 2 banks/pages) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PCF85176T/1 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | SDA — I2C-bus serial data |
| Pin 2 | SCL — I2C-bus serial clock |
| Pin 3 | SYNC — Cascade synchronization input/output |
| Pin 4 | CLK — External clock input (when internal oscillator bypassed) |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Logic supply voltage |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 7 | VLCD — LCD supply voltage (generated by internal charge pump) |
| Pin 8 | A0 — I2C slave address bit 0 |
| Pin 9 | A1 — I2C slave address bit 1 |
| Pin 10 | A2 — I2C slave address bit 2 |
| Pin 11 | OSC — Oscillator select / test pin |
| Pin 12 | BP0 — Backplane output 0 |
| Pin 13 | BP1 — Backplane output 1 |
| Pin 14 | BP2 — Backplane output 2 |
| Pin 15 | BP3 — Backplane output 3 |
| Pin 16 | S0 — Segment output 0 |
| Pin 17 | S1 — Segment output 1 |
| Pin 18 | S2 — Segment output 2 |
| Pin 19 | S3 — Segment output 3 |
| Pin 20 | S4 — Segment output 4 |
| Pin 21 | S5 — Segment output 5 |
| Pin 22 | S6 — Segment output 6 |
| Pin 23 | S7 — Segment output 7 |
| Pin 24 | S8 — Segment output 8 |
| Pin 25 | S9 — Segment output 9 |
| Pin 26 | S10 — Segment output 10 |
| Pin 27 | S11 — Segment output 11 |
| Pin 28 | S12 — Segment output 12 |
| Pin 29 | S13 — Segment output 13 |
| Pin 30 | S14 — Segment output 14 |
| Pin 31 | S15 — Segment output 15 |
| Pin 32 | S16 — Segment output 16 |
| Pin 33 | S17 — Segment output 17 |
| Pin 34 | S18 — Segment output 18 |
| Pin 35 | S19 — Segment output 19 |
| Pin 36 | S20 — Segment output 20 |
| Pin 37 | S21 — Segment output 21 |
| Pin 38 | S22 — Segment output 22 |
| Pin 39 | S23 — Segment output 23 |
| Pin 40 | S24 — Segment output 24 |
| Pin 41 | S25 — Segment output 25 |
| Pin 42 | S26 — Segment output 26 |
| Pin 43 | S27 — Segment output 27 |
| Pin 44 | S28 — Segment output 28 |
| Pin 45 | S29 — Segment output 29 |
| Pin 46 | S30 — Segment output 30 |
| Pin 47 | S31 — Segment output 31 |
| Pin 48 | S32 — Segment output 32 |
| Pin 49 | S33 — Segment output 33 |
| Pin 50 | S34 — Segment output 34 |
| Pin 51 | S35 — Segment output 35 |
| Pin 52 | S36 — Segment output 36 |
| Pin 53 | S37 — Segment output 37 |
| Pin 54 | S38 — Segment output 38 |
| Pin 55 | S39 — Segment output 39 |
| Pin 56 | NC — Not connected (per datasheet) |
Typical Applications
PCF85176T/1 is suitable for 6 applications: Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal Displays, Industrial Control Panels, White-Goods User Interfaces, Automotive Secondary Instrument Displays, Medical Instrument Readouts, Utility Meter Displays.
Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal Displays
The NXP PCF85176T/1 is well suited to POS terminal displays that need a custom 7-segment plus annunciator layout on a small LCD glass. With 4 backplanes and 40 segments the driver provides 160 pixels, enough for amount, currency, item count, and status icons on a single chip. Its integrated VLCD charge pump removes the need for an external DC-DC bias supply, cutting BOM cost in space-constrained terminal enclosures. The I2C interface connects directly to the POS host MCU or secure processor with only two pins, and cascading two PCF85176 devices with hardware-set addresses drives 320 pixels for larger multi-line displays.
Recommended
Industrial Control Panels
Industrial control panels benefit from the PCF85176T/1's wide -40 C to +85 C operating range and noise-tolerant I2C interface. Its 82 Hz frame frequency avoids flicker under fluorescent lighting, while the integrated bias generator simplifies intrinsically-safe or sealed-panel designs where external bias components would be hard to qualify. The TSSOP-56 surface-mount package is suitable for wave-soldered or reflow-soldered industrial boards. Designers can use cascaded PCF85176 devices to drive 20-segment multi-digit process-variable readouts without exceeding MCU pin budget.
Recommended
White-Goods User Interfaces
Washing machines, microwave ovens, dishwashers, and other white goods typically use custom segment LCDs for time, temperature, and program readouts. The PCF85176T/1 fits these designs because its on-chip VLCD generator produces the negative bias needed for conventional TN glass directly from the 5 V logic rail, eliminating one DC-DC stage and reducing BOM cost by tens of cents in cost-sensitive consumer appliances. The TSSOP-56 package is robust to standard reflow profiles, and the 160-pixel capacity covers most 4-digit plus-icon layouts used in mid-range appliance UI panels.
Recommended
Automotive Secondary Instrument Displays
In automotive instrument clusters, the PCF85176T/1 serves as a sub-display driver for trip computer, climate, or audio status segments where the main TFT is overkill. Its 5 V tolerant I/O and industrial temperature range handle under-dash environments, while the I2C bus keeps wiring simple between the head unit and a remote display PCB. The PCF85176T/1Y packing variant (DigiKey PN 15221938) is supplied to NXP's automotive-grade production lines for OEM secondary display modules.
Recommended
Medical Instrument Readouts
Portable medical devices such as blood-pressure monitors, glucose meters, and infusion pumps often use compact segment LCDs that draw essentially zero current from the display (since the LCD is a passive load). The PCF85176T/1 leverages this by offering a low quiescent current and an integrated charge pump, extending battery life in compliance-critical medical designs. The TSSOP-56 footprint supports high-density medical PCBs, and the I2C interface lets a low-power MCU like an MSP430 manage the LCD without occupying many GPIO pins.
Recommended
Utility Meter Displays
Electricity, water, and gas meters use segment LCDs to display consumption and status, where the PCF85176T/1's CMOS process and on-chip VLCD generator shine. Because meters run from a single lithium primary cell or harvested energy, the PCF85176T/1's low quiescent current and I2C polled-or-interrupt interface fit ultra-low-power budgets. Multi-meter installations can cascade two or more PCF85176 chips on the same I2C bus to drive both the consumption readout and the tariff/credit display independently.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PCF85176T/1 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PCF85176T/1,118 | PCF85176T/1Y | PCF8576CTG | PCF8576DT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | NXP Semiconductors | NXP Semiconductors - same | NXP Semiconductors - same | NXP Semiconductors - same | NXP Semiconductors - same |
| Package | TSSOP-56 | TSSOP-56 - same | TSSOP-56 - same | TSSOP-56 (VSO) - same footprint | TSSOP-56 - same |
| Display Configuration | 4 backplanes x 40 segments (160 pixels) | 4 x 40 - same | 4 x 40 - same | 4 x 40 - same | 4 x 40 - same |
| Interface | I2C-bus | I2C-bus - same | I2C-bus - same | I2C-bus - same | I2C-bus - same |
| Frame Frequency | 82 Hz | 82 Hz - same | 82 Hz - same | 64 Hz typical | 64 Hz typical |
| VLCD Generator | On-chip charge pump (VLCD-VSS bias) | On-chip (same) | On-chip (same) | External VLCD required (VLCD-VDD bias) | External VLCD required (VLCD-VDD bias) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C - same | -40 C to +85 C - same | -40 C to +85 C - same | -40 C to +85 C - same |
| Approx. Unit Price (1 pc) | $1.85 | $1.85 - same | $1.95 (DigiKey 15221938) | $2.10 | $1.95 |
Key Differentiators
- Higher 82 Hz frame frequency avoids flicker in fluorescent-lit industrial environments (vs PCF8576CTG)
- Integrated VLCD charge pump eliminates external DC-DC bias components (vs PCF8576DT)
- Industrial-grade -40 C to +85 C operating range with cascade support (vs PCF8576CTG)
Design Notes
The PCF85176T/1 integrates an on-chip charge pump to generate VLCD from the 5V VDD supply, so no external DC-DC bias circuit is required. For stable operation, place a 1uF decoupling capacitor close to VDD (pin 5) and a 1uF reservoir capacitor on VLCD (pin 7) within 5 mm of the package. If the application uses an external VLCD rail instead, leave the charge pump unused and feed VLCD directly; do not exceed the absolute maximum VLCD rating given in the NXP datasheet Rev. 5.1.
Keep the I2C SDA/SCL traces short and route them away from the segment output traces to avoid crosstalk into the display logic. Standard-mode (100 kHz) and Fast-mode (400 kHz) are both supported per the NXP datasheet; pull-ups of 4.7 kohm to VDD are typical for a single device on the bus. For cascaded chains, lower pull-up values (2.2-3.3 kohm) may be needed to maintain rise-time budgets across multiple PCF85176 slave devices.
Do not confuse PCF85176 with the older PCF8576 family: the PCF85176's bias topology references VLCD to VSS, while the PCF8576 references VLCD to VDD. Cross-replacing these on the same PCB without reworking the bias caps will produce a blank or flicker-laden display. Also verify the I2C slave-address jumper pins (A0/A1/A2) match your firmware's expected addresses, since each cascaded chip must have a unique address on the bus.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per NXP product page; lead-free / halogen-free packaging. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for AEC-Q100 automotive applications use the PCF85176T/1Y packing variant or contact NXP for the auto-grade die revision.
