ROLLING DISPLAY PROJECT

- WEEK 3
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
Design, build, program, and test a microcontroller controlled rolling 6x24 LED matrix
capable of displaying a string of text.
Needs
o
o

Programming the Axman to display specific inputted text and controlling the
text rolling speed.
Find a method for rolling the text one bit at a time across the LED matrix
display

PROJECT ACHIEVABLES
After this project, we will be capable of designing and prototyping a microprocessor
controlled LED Matrix display. The skills developed in this project include an understanding
of how transistors function in MSI projects under varying currents, how microprocessors can
be implemented, with programming, to allow us to control which LEDs are active in the
display, and an understanding of how shift registers can be used to shift a stored array
pattern by one bit at a time. This will allow us to design LED matrixes beyond what is
tackled in the project. We could implement a larger matrix or program for alternate
displays on the matrix.
AVAILABLE RESOURCES
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Internet
Books
Other groups
Second & third year ESE students
Professors

RESEARCH AND DESIGN (summary from log book)

The rows and columns of the matrix will need to be shifted by a bit in order to
simulate the rolling display.
One solution to this problem is through the use of shift registers (a cascade of flipflops in which each output is fed into the data input of the subsequent flip-flop)
which will result in a circuit that shifts the position of the bit array stored by one bit
at a time.
If we want to reduce the effects of electrical noise in the circuit, we can consider
using a bypass (decoupling) capacitor between the power supply pin and the
ground pin.

Any noise caused by other elements in the circuit will be shunted through the
capacitor which will help reduce unwanted effects on the rest of the circuit.

An Axman board will be used as a microcontroller and will be programmed to control the
speed of the bit shifting as well as choose the message to be displayed. Coding will be done
in C in Code Warrior. Bit shifting speed will be a component of the programming.
Comparable Solutions
The main comparable solution to this project is the Arduino equivalent. The arduino is a
microprocessor prototyping board similar to the Axman, and valuable information will be
available through this resource as questions and obstacles arise.

Beginning Arduino (book)

o ISBN: 978-1-4302-5017-3
Instructables: 8x48 rolling matrix display
o http://www.instructables.com/id/48x8-SCROLLING-MATRIX-LEDDISPLAY-USING-ARDUINO-CO/

Testing Process for Week 2

Taken directly from Kevins log book

a multisim simulation of a stress test for an individual row of LEDs, showing that the
transistor (ZTX458) will be capable of handling the sum of currents running through
24 LEDs
a breadboard prototype of the above multisim simulation, proving that the transistor
will function properly under the sum of currents

SMART Requirements
ID
#

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Requirement

Importance

Every LED in the matrix is functional, with no short circuits, thereby making each LED individually
testable by applying a small Vcc and grounding
Shift registers are properly integrated and capable of shifting the bit array pattern by one bit

10

Transistor is capable of functioning under the sum of currents from at least 7 parallel LEDs

10

Programming uploaded to uProcessor is capable of displaying a user specified string to the LED
matrix through use of logic levels through the columns of the matrix
LEDs aligned symmetrically on the board

10

A scan pattern will be used to display the string on the board by shifting a stored bit array pattern
by one byte at a speed of approximately 1000 shifts/second (Simulating a solid image)

10

7
10

Sub Systems

detection system(s)
display
other
________________

Control

drive system(s)

pneumatic
electrical

microprocessor, microcontroller

other ________________

network

data capture

wireless RF,
microwave
fibre optic

data processing

infrared
other
________________

Software

Communic'n

Physical

The subsystems being verified this week, through simulation and

prototyping, fall under the electrical/electronic subsystem.
enclosure
hydraulic

data analysis
data distribution
other ________________