The MAX6953 is a compact cathode-row display driver that interfaces microprocessors to 5 7 dot-matrix LED displays through an I2CTM-compatible serial interface. The MAX6953 drives up to four digits (140 LEDs). Included on-chip are an ASCII 104-character font, multiplex scan circuitry, column and row drivers, and static RAM that stores each digit, as well as font data for 24 user-definable characters. The segment current for the LEDs is set by an internal digit-by-digit digital brightness control. The device includes a low-power shutdown mode, segment blinking (synchronized across multiple drivers, if desired), and a test mode that forces all LEDs on. The LED drivers are slew-rate limited to reduce EMI. For an SPITM-compatible version, refer to the MAX6952 data sheet. An EV kit is available for the MAX6952.