EK-TM4C123GXL: Basic LCD Screen Recommendation?

Love your paying (proper) homage to the "grandfather" of (most) character based Lcd Modules.    (HD44780 - although HD43160 was an even earlier version.     "43160" - just as Sony's "Beta" - lost the "marketing war" to a (lesser) standard "44780" "VHS" ...)

There are 144x32 pixel display modules - which accept both 4/8 bit data bus - as well as (near) SPI data input.      (serial clocked data - thus 2 wire, write-only)     These modules employ the ST7920 Lcd Controller - are less available/more costly  - you should read/review the ST7920 spec "IF" (near) SPI is a "real" requirement...)     Module is the same size as "standard" 2x16 Lcd.

These 144x32 modules are FULL, Pixel-Graphic capable - as well as "backwards compatible" w/"existing" 4 or 8 bit, Character Modules hw & sw!     As such - they provide a very unique means to, "Add interest to otherwise "boring/mundane" text-only displays" (via the use of Graphics) - while maintaining the past code investment in text modules...

More available - and SPI based - are multiple OLED (full graphic) modules.     Of course (unknown) is your definition of "basic" & "relatively" easily...

Certain of these are available w/"High Contrast" Lcd fluid - I've attached a photo for your review...    (note the "solder-less" test connector)

Hi, thanks for the reply.  Yeah, that was what I was going to go for.  Looking around a bit though, and thinking more about my use case (and possible use cases I'm not even currently aware of) I think I'm going to go with something a little bit more robust like this: http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Newhaven-Display/NHD-C12832A1Z-NSW-BBW-3V3/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvkC18yXH9iIjqe6IqxYXYlhdo7UBCXPRg%3d

Terence D said:

I'm going to go with something a little bit more robust

Having quickly looked at the specs for (that) display - (your/my definition) of "robust" appears (very) far apart!       And - no attempt to justify that "claim of robustness" appeared.

Following may reduce (any) such claims of robustness:

• that display has a non-standard pinout "pitch" - forcing the design of a pcb or "tack solder" to each of those (non-standard) 19 pins!
• that display is FAR from your desired "SPI interface!"     It requires an EXTRA input signal (A0) - along with "normal" SPI clock & data.    You (may) be able to tie A0 to a spare GPIO - and then "remember" to set/clear it - based upon data vs. command.     (maybe)  
• that display requires the installation of TEN discrete capacitors to support (multiple) "charge pumps" - almost surely forcing the design of a custom pcb.
• that display provides (only) a 32x8mm "Active Area" (pixel field) - far smaller than that earlier suggested.
• that display has lower contrast AND a very (limited) Viewing Angle far less than that earlier suggested.
• and - that display has fewer pixels.

You (may) have (other) reasons for choosing that display - but "robustness" seems (difficult) to justify.      Words have meaning - do they not?

For your benefit - & interested others (in support of my comments) - here appear 2 "key" extracts from "that display's" data sheet:

Note: TEN added capacitors AND the "Creation" of a  (SECOND)  SPI Data Signal (A0) - Complicating (or disallowing) any claim to,  "SPI" - and  no (known) connector!

Now comes the (SPI Challenged) interface timing diagram:

It (may) be possible to "bit-bang" (non-standard/unwanted) signal A0.     (timing edges appear to be met when supplied by "bit A0" - introduced (prior) to the "call to SPI transmit."

Hi, thanks for pointing all of this out.  Clearly it shows my lack of experience with displays.  I have experience with various chip peripherals but have not done anything with displays before.  It's pretty clear now that I should take a step back and start with something more basic and recommended.  

Looking back at your first reply to my question, I believe the picture you've posted is very similar to this: http://www.tme.eu/en/details/dem16215sbh-pw-n/lcd-alphanumeric-displays/display-elektronik/dem-16215-sbh-pw-n/

I've reviewed the datasheet and it seems fairly straightforward.  If my understanding is correct, I'll need to use a total of 9 GPIO pins on the TM4C to interface with the display.  I count this as 8 for DB0-DB7 and then one for RS.  I'm not crazy about using about having to use that many pins but in light of all of the difficulties you pointed out with the other display I mentioned, this appears to be a small price to pay.

First & foremost - so neat to see you respond so well to the (suggested) course correction. Firm/I have (some) slight experience w/displays (20+ years) - thus (usually) may provide (some) insight...

Now heavily involved in "Autonomous Auto" - and have big meeting - will read/review your new "find" & comment when it ends. (if it ever does...)

Your attitude guarantees that you are (very) coachable - that's the first thing we seek when "hiring and/or advancing!"

Assume that you are in "Euro-land" - might you name several close/favored distributors - so staff here can check.     (I'm in San Jose, CA - at least for today)

My 08:30 meeting "held off" till 08:45 - thus I've learned you (likely) are in/around Poland.    

The "disty" you found stocks the following, Graphic LCD, "DEM 122032A SBH-PW-N"- which I believe (more suitable) for you.     (and I will (try to) assist you over (most all) "rough spots.")     (if any)     This is a 122x32, Graphic LCD - w/white Led backlight & parallel interface.

Note that this too (like the one I showed) is a "Negative Transmissive" type Lcd - which yield the greatest Contrast & "Visual Appeal."      (Pity that this disty had not purchased my firm's "Solder-less, Spring-Loaded Connector - so that the Display's Pixels (quickly & w/out (any) disty effort) could, "GLOW INSTANTLY to LIFE!")

Do download & review the specs - by my (very) fast read - no "tormenting" capacitors - nor "absence of connector" - arrive w/this display.

The flexibility of Graphics will prove "Much to your benefit" - even though - and especially though - you will "curse me" during development.     End results count!

In the (now) immortal words of one Bartholomew Simpson, "Ay Caramba!"       Google images giveth - and (too often) taketh away...

I'm on a flight to the midwest shortly - will have something for you by early tomorrow (Sat) - at the latest...

Never would I have thought that a US guy would provide the spec of a (small) "Polish" disty!    (seems pretty accomplished disty - I must add)

While there are NO kidz in San Jose (almost none) this forum has (nearly) closed prior to 12:30 PST, today.      That's not true of Silicon Valley - laptop action fast/furious around me - "early shut-down" ain't happening here...

cb1_mobile - You are my HERO!!!  I can't say thank you enough for your help!

-Terence

Terrence - and you - mine, as well.        (you show appreciation & thanks - and accept (some) coaching - not true for (all) here.)

I especially like the (most unique) ability of this display to, "Get you going" (via its character mode) - yet later (welcome your foray into Graphics) where the creation of: Multiple Fonts (and pixel inverted fonts), icons, mono images, X-Y Plots & bar-graphs - "capture your viewer!..."

Today proved an especially busy Travel/Sales day - thus I'll provide a more useful "General Solution Method" (now) - to guide poster Terrence & others - seeking specific Displays.

It should be noted that a similar contrast of,  "Specific Answers vs. Solution Methods" appeared w/in past day or two.   "https://e2e.ti.com/support/microcontrollers/tiva_arm/f/908/t/596711" 

The post referenced above sought data & schematic for this vendor's (4C123) Launchpad.      And indeed - a response arrived - which "Did Answer" - yet provided no explanation of, "How & where the answer was obtained!"      To me - such limited response is unacceptable:

• first because it offers NO "follow on benefit" (i.e. How does one search for something similar - but different?      That's been "left" unanswered/unaddressed!)
• second - any answer provided w/out a "method" proves SO "singular"- that it guarantees that such basic questions will arrive here endlessly!       And thus "devour/waste" the rare & valuable vendor resource - which cannot be good!

Now comes a General Solution Method - useful for finding Displays (specifically) and easily extended into almost all areas, "electronic."

Within the US - the 2 most popular "small order/hobby" distributors are Digikey & Mouser.      Both provide terrific, "Search Engines" which IMO "surpass Google" due to their tight focus upon electronics.

The general (and reusable) "METHOD" to Search for Displays - at either of those distributors - (usually) follows this path:  

Note that "Graphic" may be replaced with "Character" or "Numeric" etc.

With the basic entry (above) - many additional "criteria for selection" appear.      In this specific case (search for 144x32 Graphic) I selected "144x32" w/in a Display selection box - and my search succeeded!

That particular selection (144x32) proved particularly advantageous - as it was the "Least Common Denominator" between hundreds (even thousands) of displays.     (thus vastly "Speeding, Easing & Enhancing" my search ... time invested ... (maybe) 75 seconds!)        

Thanks to NYC public school PS165 for (imprinting) "LCD" (mathematical version) w/in the young cb1 brain - - long before the "LCD" (Display version) came into being...

Hello Terence. I wouldn't have to add a single more word on what cb1_mobile suggests and advises, but I would like to take the issue "what part?" a step further. We are all professionals, experimenters, amateurs e.t.c. So fear to get our hands dirty even with burned parts need not to and does not concern us. You know what you need: displays. Just buy the most common one and make your life easy at the first steps of your design. Later you can elaborate on more refined solutions. Indeed, for this type of controllers we use and for the projects we are tackling with I have never-ever had the need for something more than the attached displays:

Very easy to handle, very easy to program, hundredths of schematics on the web for any kind of micro-Controller connections and very-very reliable. Never mind if you burn one. Are very cheap also. So, what I want to highlight is that since almost all of the displays fit and co-operate well with TM4Cxxxxxx(s), pick one and just check if your controller supports the driving protocol. In almost 95% of the cases it surely support it. Start coding immediately a test routine just for seeing the "Hello World" on the display. Then you are done for ever...........

Good luck and in case you'll have any problem with coding (which I don't think will be the case), just let us know here again.

John

Got it.  Thanks,  John.  I will keep this in mind.  I must admit I was hesitant to ask for a particular product recommendation as I thought there was a good possibility that many of the people on here are professionals and they might be hesitant to recommend something that caused a conflict of professional endorsement, etc.

That said, I'm glad I did as I would've likely ordered something like the  http://www.tme.eu/en/details/dem16215sbh-pw-n/lcd-alphanumeric-displays/display-elektronik/dem-16215-sbh-pw-n/ I mentioned in the earlier post and found myself struggling - possibly for weeks - with the challenges cb1_mobile pointed out...  

Of course on the other hand of that, when struggling and "learning the hard way", one frequently learns secondary lessons about hardware, the MCU and etc that one would not likely have learned without the struggle...  So it is a mixed bag.

I do very much appreciate all of the input from cb1_mobile, and John your additional info. 

Greetings John,

Our poster (Terrence) had started with a QVGA (Graphic) Display - and described that as, "overkill." Surely the character modules you've shown will work - yet might that "movement" (from 76,800 individually addressable pixels to a "2x16/20") be as "brutal" as a tectonic shift - felt in San Jose?

I cannot be sure - but is that "ten display, formed, shipping container" ESD certified?      We note protective film (fronting the display's polarizer) - yet individual, Display protecting, ESD bags - are not shown!    (and the displays' signal inlets are contacting the container...)

Keep in mind - I try to (best) serve the forum as a (sometime) "Solution Provider" - and thus took the opportunity to illustrate a "proper" Search Method - which aimed for a (very) rare "hybrid style" display.     (one of the few able to accommodate "standard" character module hardware & software - AND yet still accommodate full pixel graphics!)

Such advantaged displays provide a, "Safe & Fast Track" for forum users - especially those with appreciation for a well-thought - and described,  "method!"

Hello cb1_mobile. Those displays had been purchased from ARROW electronics, 250 of them, some 3 or 4 years ago and have all CE certifications. Otherwise we wouldn't be able to use them in our products. The CE certification is very strict. Your proposed method for searching and finding/locating the most appropriate parts for a project is a THE definitive method. What I wanted to highlight is that if our friend Terence is a newcomer in this type of projects, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to first become familiar with simple type of displays and then move into the more demanding graphics displays.

In any case, your guidance, as always in this forum, is more than just helpful and we all thank you very much for that.

Best regards,

John 

Thank you, John. Having attended the Kentucky Derby - and (my) horse losing - I (still) have some funds available.

I will bet you that - as shown - that "formed Lcd carrier/container" is NOT suitably ESD protected - and that those displays - if packed properly - would have (each) been entombed - w/in an anti-static bag!      (note: it is (usually) only the bag's inner surface which is ESD protected!) 

That container - even if "anti-static sprayed" - would see the spray "worn away" - thru the inevitable shifting of the display pcbs' sharp edges against the container - during transit.

It could be argued that the "Lcd carrier/container" was itself created from proper, ESD material.      Yet that would raise the packing costs unduly - and would prove less effective - than the "normal/customary" "Lcd insertion w/in an individual, ESD bag!"      (normal/customary - most always - has a strong/real, "reason for being!)       If "hazarding guesses is allowed" - those Lcds "shipped w/in individual, ESD bags - and the bags were (subsequently) removed  from the Lcds in your photo.    

Of the (million plus) Lcds I've designed, sold, processed - each/every one "traveled" w/in a suitable, ESD bag!      (your photo "jumped out" - the ESD issue was the "very first thing" - our young staff noted....)

Note too - the (standard) ESD bag provides a, "Second layer of protection for the delicate LCD Polarizer" - which has a thin (removable) film as "first layer" protection - yet (still) relies upon the ESD bag - for further protection.      (the first surface of the Lcd is a delicate (plastic) polarizer - NOT glass - and is easily scratched and/or chemically vulnerable!)