TIDA-00848
Single-chip heat cost allocator reference design with segment LCD control using GPIO pins
TIDA-00848
Overview
Segment LCD displays are very popular in ultra-low power metering and submetering applications such as heat cost allocators, water, and heat meters and are typically controlled by a dedicated on-chip LCD controller module in the MCU. This design shows an alternative, TI patented, design that can be used with any TI MCU without such module. Using a resistor network and GPIO control software, the LCD drive functionality has been implemented on the sensor controller engine inside the CC1312R wireless MCU to achieve a power consumption of 7.3μA (no LCD attached). To achieve the lowest power consumption in heat cost allocators compliant with the EN 834 norm, the LCD can be activated by the user through a capacitive touch or a push button event.
Features
- CC1312 SimpleLink™ wireless MCU controls segment LCD through GPIOs (TI patented design for TI MCUs)
- Only four COM, two control, and 21 segment lines (27 I/Os total) needed to drive 84 LCD segments (4-MUX, 1/3-Biasing)
- Sensor controller peripheral reads out two TMP63 sensors periodically and checks for CapTouch events and implements an IrDA communication port
- Two-layer PCB with HCA form factor using a 96-Segment LCD (4-MUX) and cap touch area for LCD on/off
- Average current: 835nA at 3.6V (LCD Off); 7.3μA for SCE only, 11.9µA at 3.3V (28 segments on with BTL002 4-MUX LCD)
A fully assembled board has been developed for testing and performance validation only, and is not available for sale.
Design files & products
Design files
Download ready-to-use system files to speed your design process.
TIDUBQ7B.PDF (1504 KB)
Reference design overview and verified performance test data
TIDRM29.PDF (212 KB)
Detailed overview of design layout for component placement
TIDRM28A.PDF (140 KB)
Complete listing of design components, reference designators, and manufacturers/part numbers
TIDRM31A.ZIP (1302 KB)
Files used for 3D models or 2D drawings of IC components
TIDCC90.ZIP (688 KB)
Design file that contains information on physical board layer of design PCB
TIDRM32.PDF (939 KB)
PCB layer plot file used for generating PCB design layout
TIDRM30.PDF (1341 KB)
PCB layer plot file used for generating PCB design layout
TIDRM27A.PDF (1006 KB)
Detailed schematic diagram for design layout and components
Products
Includes TI products in the design and potential alternatives.
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Technical documentation
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| Top documentation | Type | Title | Format options | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| * | Design guide | Single-chip Heat Cost Allocator Reference Design with Segment LCD Control Using GPIO Pins (Rev. B) | PDF | HTML | Jul 10, 2026 |
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