make yourself a 4x40 serial LCD

Post by **caesar** » April 27th, 2006, 8:54 pm

This project is not developed anymore, a better version with USB support has taken over, read here: http://forums.lcdsmartie.org/viewtopic.php?p=10613

I started working on a 4x40 serial LCD, it uses a 16F877 (877A/876/876A) PIC and the RS-TTL converter of your choice.

The first beta version recognizes just cursor positioning, custom characters, home and clear screen. Communication takes place at 38400bps so winamp spectrum analyzer looks great, without gliches.

If there is someone interested, I can further develop the command set (backlight, buttons, GPO's).

Hex file and schematics are available on request (PM me with your mail).

Edit:
- added backlight and contrast commands, working fine.
- 57600bps 90% functional.

Rafael · Post by **Rafael** » April 27th, 2006, 9:14 pm

We can start the tests when you want!!!

Post by **caesar** » May 2nd, 2006, 9:10 pm

I have managed to get the communication speed up to 57600bps.
Spectrum analyzer never looked half so good on a serial connection.

Stay tuned for backlight, brightness and GPO's. Buttons will be available only with a separate low cost PIC.

jwildesbr · Post by **jwildesbr** » May 9th, 2006, 8:08 pm

Hi,

Can you send or post the project to us?
My email is jwildes@hotmail.com

Thanks a lot,

sonnyk88 · Post by **sonnyk88** » May 29th, 2006, 10:04 pm

caesar,

I finally got time to build circuit. I am using your rev 0.9 code at 19200. It works great.

The block character only displaying with two straight lines instead of block.

Thanks

sonnyk88 · Post by **sonnyk88** » May 29th, 2006, 10:16 pm

After restart smartie, power cycle lcd and cicruit. The block character is displaying correctly.

Post by **caesar** » May 30th, 2006, 6:20 am

Great!

How's the contrast setting working (and backlight too)?

The custom characters are only changed if you restart smartie or change to a screen with other custom characters. (use this if you power cycle the lcd).

PS: just a hint - use the edit button to add to a previous post if nobody has made a reply yet!

sonnyk88 · Post by **sonnyk88** » May 30th, 2006, 4:27 pm

My DataImage LCD does not has backlight, so I can't test it. But the contrast did work, but it was on C1 instead on C2 Pin.

_X7JAY7X_ · Post by **_X7JAY7X_** » June 3rd, 2006, 7:37 am

Just wondering how the 4x40 is working. Is it out of the testing phase? Do you have button or gpo support?

J

Post by **caesar** » June 4th, 2006, 10:38 pm

It'll stay in testing phase untill it has all MO commands implemented.
GPO is alpha now, soon to be released in beta. Buttons are working but at 19200bps in the one chip version.
I think that most users prefer a 19200bps one chip version than a two PIC version at 57600bps (both versions with button support).

Switching it to a low cost 40MHz 18F PIC (some are cheaper than 16F877) could get buttons support at maybe 115200 bps.... or at least 57600bps.

This project is not developed anymore, a better version with USB support has taken over, read here: http://forums.lcdsmartie.org/viewtopic.php?p=10613

Post by **caesar** » December 5th, 2009, 6:40 pm

Due to interest in this project I searched my old backups for this project and found the compiled hex file.

chip is 16F877(A) with 20MHz crystal, fuses are set in hex file

4x40.rar

Wiring is:
PORTB data lines to LCD D0-7
PORTD.7 to LCD E1
PORTD.6 to LCD RW
PORTD.5 to LCD RS
PORTD.4 to LCD E2

communication is serial @ 57600bps, select MO protocol in Smartie
RX and TX need a RS232 to TTL converter like MAX232 or compatible

LCD Smartie