The MAX6853 compact vacuum-fluorescent display (VFD) controller provides microprocessors with the multiplex timing for 5 x 7 matrix VFD displays up to 96 characters and controls industry-standard, shift-register, high-voltage grid/anode VFD tube drivers. The device supports display tubes using either one or two digits per grid, as well as universal displays. The MAX6853 provides an internal crosspoint switch to match any tube-driver shift-register grid/anode order, and is compatible with both chip-in-glass and external tube drivers. Hardware is included to simplify the generation of cathode bias and filament supplies and to provide up to five logic outputs, including a buzzer driver. The MAX6853 includes an ASCII 104-character font, multiplex scan circuitry, and static RAM that stores digit, cursor, and annunciator data, as well as font data for 24 user-definable characters. An internal 16-step digital brightness control adjusts the display intensity. The device also includes separate annunciator and cursor control with automatic blinking, as well as a lowpower shutdown mode. The MAX6853 provides timing to generate the PWM waveforms to drive the tube filament from a DC supply. The filament drive is synchronized to the display multiplexing to eliminate beat artifacts. For an SPITM-compatible version, refer to the MAX6852 data sheet.