Multiple connection switching IC ?

[spestis]

Anyone know of a company that sells an IC sized component that is capable of switching several connections? I need to mechanically switch 16 connections on and off. They would all use a very low amount of current. I would be able to use 16 small reed relays but I would rather use a smaller packaged part.

 

[HarveyH42]

Really kind of depends on what you are switching. If its low current, maybe a 4066 quad Bi-direction switch. Opto-isolators might work, have some with 4 in a single dip package.

 

[spestis]

Really kind of depends on what you are switching. If its low current, maybe a 4066 quad Bi-direction switch. Opto-isolators might work, have some with 4 in a single dip package.

I was going to use it to disconnect the data connections to an lcd character display.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

CMOS switches should be fine then - but why are you wanting to do this?.

 

[spestis]

I have added a secondary character display to a handheld unit for a car. I can detach the secondary unit using an IDC connector. The problem is when both displays are ran in parallel they display incorrect characters. If am able to switch off the main display temporarily the secondary should work correctly.

 

[HarveyH42]

Might not need to switch all 16 lines.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

You almost certainly don't need to!.

 

[spestis]

I’m not very knowledgeable when it comes to character displays. I would like to know why it is not possible to just run them in parallel. Are some data bits only making it to one display?
Here is a data sheet for the display that I’m using. LCM-S01602DSF/A. Which pins need to be disconnected to allow the other display to function properly?

 

[spestis]

Sorry missed an attachment.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

I would have thought a pin labelled 'Enable' might give you a hint?.

 

[spestis]

I would have thought a pin labelled 'Enable' might give you a hint?.

If it is that easy, Great! I do well with component electronics, but I have never worked with character displays.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

If it is that easy, Great! I do well with component electronics, but I have never worked with character displays.

I've never tried to parallel two of them, but an enable pin looks a good option to try!. Don't forget pull-up or pull-down resistors on the pins, to stop the unused one floating.

 

[spestis]

I've never tried to parallel two of them, but an enable pin looks a good option to try!. Don't forget pull-up or pull-down resistors on the pins, to stop the unused one floating.

Using a multimeter it looks like low level is used to Enable the display. Any idea what H,H is for? High, High does not make any since to me.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

No idea, I've not read your datasheets - generally they are pretty badly written and hard to make any sense of!.

 

[Roff]

The "E" signal, and all the others, are defined in Lumex LCD general information.
I found this by going to the Lumex web site and clicking on the Tech Notes tab, then clicking "LCD Displays and Modules".