Matrix Orbital VFD2041 Legacy User Manual

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Controller

The micro-controller or PC used to control the Matrix

Orbital display unit

DB-9

The designation of a connector used in the RS-232 in-

terface: 9 pin connector

Firmware

Software (programs or data) that has been written onto

read-only memory (ROM). Firmware is a combina-

tion of software and hardware. ROMs, PROMs and

EPROMs and flash EEPROMs that have data or pro-

grams recorded on them are firmware.

Font

A design for a set of characters. A font is the combina-

tion of typeface and other qualities, such as size, pitch,

and spacing.

Font Metric

A definition of where font is to be placed, such as mar-

gins and spacing between characters and lines.

Hexadecimal

Refers to the base-16 number system, which consists

of 16 unique symbols: the numbers 0 to 9 and the let-

ters A to F. For example, the decimal number 15 is

represented as F in the hexadecimal numbering sys-

tem. The hexadecimal system is useful because it can

represent every byte (8 bits) as two consecutive hex-

adecimal digits. It is easier for humans to read hex-

adecimal numbers than binary numbers.

Short for Inter-IC, a type of bus designed by Phillips

Semiconductors in the early 1980s, which is used to

connect integrated circuits (ICs). I

C is a multi-master

bus, which means that multiple chips can be connected

to the same bus and each one can act as a master by

initiating a data transfer.

Interface

A means by which two systems interact.

VFD

Vacuum Fluorescent Display

Module Type Value

This refers to the model number of the module.

Pixel

The smallest individually controllable element of a

display.

Pre-Generated Fonts

Pre-determined fonts which can be downloaded into

graphic liquid crystal displays.

Primitive

A low-level object or operation from which higher-

level, more complex objects and operations can be

constructed. In graphics, primitives are basic elements,

such as lines, curves, and polygons, which you can

combine to create more complex graphical images.

RS-232

Short for recommended standard-232C, a standard in-

terface approved by the Electronic Industries Associa-

tion (EIA) for connecting serial devices.

Matrix Orbital

VFD2041