LaunchPad HD44780 LCD USB PC interface

[ike 53]

Software is crap .It is just proof of concept. So if you like my project , improve it.

Lcdsmartie plugin could receive COM port in DISPLAYDLL_Init (now is hard coded at COM13)

Plugin could wait for BREAK signal and don't use any delays.

MSP430 code could be improved, with eliminating delays and connecting HD44780 RW pin to P2.6 and holding USART in BREAK state.

Or by connecting transistor at P2.7 to control backlight of LCD. Just insert IF code

else{CommandFlag=0;lcd_command(rxBuffer);}

IF (rxBuffer==0b000010xx) P2.7->LOW, backlight off, display off.

IF (rxBuffer==0b000011xx) P2.7->HIGH, backlight on, display on.

 

Or you can post scheme diagram that I'm using

Have fun, learn and enjoy!

software.rar

[bluehash 1,578]

Very nice ike, Thanks for sharing. Does this allow us to use all functions of LCDSmartie?

[Mac 67]

Someone might take time to describe LCDSmartie for those of us who don't know what it is, please.

[bluehash 1,578]

LCDSmartie is an open source project to control LCD backpacks from MartixOrbital, Crystal Fontz etc serially.

 

It can display: Everest stats, Speedfan stats, MBM stats (your CPU temp, fan/cooler speed, etc), BBC World News (or any other RSS feed!), WinAmp stats (currently playing tracks title, length, position, etc), Network stats (speed, total bytes, etc), CPU Speed, Disk available/free, memory

 

What Ike has done is create a driver interface between LCDSmartie and the LCD. The dll provides the software driver on the PC whereas the Launchpad acts as a translator between the serial com commands and translating them into LCD command signals.

[ike 53]

Very nice ike, Thanks for sharing. Does this allow us to use all functions of LCDSmartie?

Right now interface only support:

DISPLAYDLL_Init

DISPLAYDLL_SetPosition

DISPLAYDLL_Write

which are essential.

[qwerty156 0]

If we just want to wire up the lcd to the Launchpad without serial control, what would the connections be?

[bluehash 1,578]

It would be the same. You will have to modify the code on the Launchpad to send out characters instead of the serial port.

[qwerty156 0]

Sorry for being thick but i cant find the pin to to pin connections anywhere!

[bluehash 1,578]

You'll have to look into the msp430g2211.c file in the software.rar zip.

#define LCD_MODE_BIT 0x01	//BIT0
#define LCD_ENABLE_BIT 0x08	//BIT3

#define LCD_CMD_MASK 0x09
#define LCD_DATA_MASK 0xf0
#define LCD_PORT_OUT P1OUT
#define LCD_PORT_DIR P1DIR

 

If you find it tough to decode, I'll try to help you.

[qwerty156 0]

Some help would be appreciated, i have trouble with the hex stuff and all

[bluehash 1,578]

Lets see. I've done this by looking at code and this datasheet from sparkfun.

 

 

Pin 1. GND

Pin 2. 5V

Pin 3. Contrast, resistor to gnd

Pin 4. Register Select - LCD_MODE_BIT in code (P1.0)

Pin 5. Read/Write. Always write, so GND it.

Pin 6. Enable Line - LCD_ENABLE_BIT in code (P1.3)

Pin 7. NC

Pin 8. NC

Pin 9. NC

Pin 10. NC

Pin 11. DB4 ----------------------------- P1.4

Pin 12. DB5 ----------------------------- P1.5

Pin 13. DB6 ----------------------------- P1.6

Pin 14. DB7 ----------------------------- P1.7

Pin 15. +5V for backlight

Pin 16. GND for backlight

[qwerty156 0]

Thanks a lot bluehash!

:D

[MadhaV 0]

Nice One !

[priyank_180 0]

Nice Project Mate.

[electronicsjunk.com 1]

Is it possible to display custom chars with LCD smartie?