Summary of 7 Segment Pov 16F84
This article describes a Proof of Concept (POV) project creating "Air Text" using a single moving 7-segment display. By rapidly flickering numbers on the display while waving it, the Persistence of Vision effect makes the digits appear stationary in mid-air. The creator built this quickly on a breadboard using C code to demonstrate how standard electronic devices could produce similar visual illusions.
Parts used in the 7 Segment POV Project:
- 7 Segment Display
- Breadboard
- PIC16F84A Microcontroller
- C Code Program
- HiTech PIC Compiler Software
- Proteus 7 Model
This is a post about the POV ( Persistence of Vision ) Display that uses one 7 Segment display.
In short, I made this little project as a proof of concept of something I ‘ve always noticed in many electronic devices those used 7 segment display. Devices like 7 segment display clocks and meters.

In those devices, the 7 segment display was flickering instead of lighting it with steady volt and displaying the number accordingly. That flickering effect may be nice to some people and may be annoying for others.
So I decided to build this project so fast on a breadboard and wrote the C code for it.
The 7 segment displays text in the air ( Air Text )
Components you need :
7 Segment Display from Amazon or eBay , Aliexpress , Bangood
Breadboard from Amazon or eBay , Aliexpress , Bangood
PIC16F84A from Amazon or eBay , Aliexpress
Here is my Channel on Youtube:
AeroArduino
Step 1: Design

In this image you can see the 7 segment connected to the
PIC16F84A Microcontroller on a breadboard and flickering with numbers. I just made this 7 segment display flickers with different numbers I thought that if those flickering devices displayed many numbers at high speed and have been moved , guess what , the POV effect will be produced.
That’s right. the same POV effect we ‘ve seen made using LEDs can be produced by a single moving 7 segment display.
Attachments
Step 2: Circuit

Here, you can see some pictures of the breadboard while being waved to the left and right in front of the camera. The POV effect here makes our eyes ( and the camera too ) see the numbers as separate from there each other as four digits.
The circuit is very simple. I used a common anode7 segment display directly driven by the PIC16F84A. And written the program in C code.
The 7 segment patterns are directly sent to PORTB to be displayed on the 7 segment display. You can find the Proteus 7 model and C program here .
As for the Software , I used HiTech PIC Compiler.
I hope you enjoy this project.
Step 3: Run the Circuit

Here is a short video in 3GP Format.
You can see the video and the post on my blog :
Embedded Egypt
http://embedded-egypt.blogspot.com/2010/06/7-segment-pov_901.html
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Attachments
Source: 7 Segment Pov 16F84
-
What is the main goal of this project?
To create a proof of concept for displaying text in the air using a single moving 7 segment display. -
How does the 7 segment display flicker instead of lighting with steady volt?
The device flickers with different numbers at high speed to produce the Persistence of Vision effect when moved. -
Can the same POV effect be produced by a single moving 7 segment display?
Yes, the same effect seen with LEDs can be produced by a single moving 7 segment display. -
What type of 7 segment display was used in the circuit?
A common anode 7 segment display was used directly driven by the microcontroller. -
Which microcontroller controls the 7 segment patterns?
The PIC16F84A Microcontroller sends the patterns directly to PORTB. -
What software was used to write the program for this project?
The HiTech PIC Compiler was used to write the C code. -
Where can I find the Proteus 7 model and C program?
The models and programs are available as attachments or downloads mentioned in the article.