Lm3915 - Calculator

A dedicated calculator solves these with direct equations. 4.1 Reference Voltage Divider (R1, R2) Given desired ( V_\textref ):

0 dBV = 1 Vrms → peak = 1.414 V. -30 dBV = 0.0316 Vrms → peak = 0.0447 V.

| Parameter | Formula | Standard value example | |-----------|---------|------------------------| | ( R_\textset ) | 12.5 / I_LED | 620 Ω for 20 mA | | ( V_\textref ) | 1.25 × (1+R2/R1) | 5.0 V: R1=1.2k, R2=3.6k | | LED step voltage (n from 1 to 10) | ( V_\textRLO \times 10^(n-1)/10 ) (if RHI/RLO = 1:0 ratio) | Step 6: ×3.16 from step 1 | | Power (bar mode) | ( 10 \times V_\textLED \times I_\textLED ) | 10×2V×0.02A = 0.4W |

Typically ( R1 = 1.2 \textk\Omega ) (recommended min). Example: To set ( V_\textref = 2.5 \textV ), ( R2 = 1200 \times (2.5/1.25 - 1) = 1200 \times 1 = 1.2 \textk\Omega ). If the lowest LED lights at ( V_\textin = V_\textLO ) and the highest at ( V_\textin = V_\textHI ), then: LM3915 Calculator

RLO = 0 V (ground). RHI = 5.0 V (to reference). But now the highest LED triggers at ( V_\textin \approx 5.0 ) V peak? That’s far above 1.414 V. So we must attenuate input.

( V_\textRHI = 1.5 ) V. Check: 1.5 V peak corresponds to ~1.06 Vrms → ~0.5 dBV (close to 0 dBV).

But for simplicity, designers often set ( V_\textRLO = V_\textLO ) and ( V_\textRHI = V_\textref ) (if ( V_\textref ) is scaled to match highest LED threshold). More practically: The LM3915’s internal divider has a ratio of ~1.25 dB per step in voltage terms, so the voltage at step n is: A dedicated calculator solves these with direct equations

[ V_\textRLO = V_\textLO - \text(offset) \quad \textand \quad V_\textRHI = V_\textRLO + \fracV_\textHI - V_\textLO10^(9/10) ]

Then choose ( R_\textin1, R_\textin2 ) as a voltage divider. [ R_\textset = \frac12.5I_\textLED ]

Example: For 20 mA (typical bright LED), ( R_\textset = 12.5 / 0.02 = 625 \ \Omega ). Use 620 Ω standard. Design goal: Audio level meter for -30 dBV to +6 dBV (36 dB range, but LM3915 only does 30 dB, so compress or shift). Desired: LED1 = -30 dBV, LED10 = 0 dBV (30 dB span). Reference voltage = 5.0 V (from 12V supply). LED current = 15 mA. | Parameter | Formula | Standard value example

| Problem | Consequence | |---------|--------------| | Choosing R1/R2 for a specific full scale | Incorrect clipping level | | Converting dBu or dBV to required input voltage | Mismatch with line-level audio | | Setting RLO/RHI for offset display (e.g., -20 dB to +10 dB) | First LED never lights | | Resistor selection for precise 1 mA/LED | Burnout or dim display |

[ R2 = R1 \times \left( \fracV_\textref1.25 - 1 \right) ]

[ V_\textth,n = V_\textRLO \times 10^(n-1)/10 \times \fracV_\textRHIV_\textRLO \times 10^9/10 ]

[ \textAttenuation factor = \fracV_\textref,desiredV_\textmax ]