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Minimal processor for embedded 2D graphical touchscreen

James Hampton
Prodigy 10 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MSP432E411Y

Hi guys,

Please redirect if I am in the wrong forum. My problem is that all help questions start with a part or product. I need help in choosing a product to start with.

I am looking for the MINIMAL processor to drive a 7" touchscreen with say, 800x600 resolution. This is for a benchtop automation project. I don't think I need a full up operating system. I don't want an embedded PC because there will only be a simple 2D graphics to splash onto the screen. The graphics will only be buttons, alphanumeric keypad, text display, and maybe a progress bar or other indicators of machine status. Once the user enters the parameters and presses "Start" the processor sends a serial data stream to another processor which actually runs the machine. So, other than taking in some parameters and displaying status, the processor running the graphics screen will just be sitting idle. I don't need the flexibility to run multiple programs as there will only be a single program- get the parameters and download the data.

Thanks for any input and I don't mind being given just a few links so I can do my own research.

Jim

  • 0
    Guru 42085 points

    The MSP432P401 will do it easily, in fact there is a boosterpack with a 320x240 touchscreen with a full graphics library you might be able to adapt.

    There might be an MSP processor that can do it, but you might need a bit more horsepower for 800x600.

    ETA: Hope its not too late, but that should be MSP430, not just MSP.

  • 0 in reply to Keith Barkley
    Prodigy 50 points

    Thanks Keith. Currently the closest thing I can find is a STM32F469. It is also based on Cortex M4, but runs at 180Mhz compared to the MSP432P401R. The eval board includes a 800x480 pixel display and goes for about $60. According to the datasheet it has the following features:

    The LCD-TFT display controller provides a 24-bit parallel digital RGB (Red, Green, Blue) and delivers all signals to interface directly to a broad range of LCD and TFT panels up to XGA (1024x768) resolution with the following features:
    • 2 displays layers with dedicated FIFO (64x32-bit)
    • Color Look-Up table (CLUT) up to 256 colors (256x24-bit) per layer
    • Up to 8 Input color formats selectable per layer
    • Flexible blending between two layers using alpha value (per pixel or constant)
    • Flexible programmable parameters for each layer
    • Color keying (transparency color)
    • Up to 4 programmable interrupt events.

    I would presume that TI has something equivalent, but I don't know what that would be.

  • 0
    TI__Guru**** 244400 points
    Hello Jim,

    We have the MSP432E411Y BGA device which has a LCD controller that supports both 24-bit parallel RGB bus as well as 16-bit LIDD mode for displays that support local SRAM buffer. Currently there is an evaluation board being planned for launch in a couple of months that will have on board SDRAM for additional buffer for creating images.

    We have tested the device with 320x240 Kentec 16-bit LIDD panel and GraphicsLib suite and expected to have the SDK end of June with support for GrLib for the EVM.
  • 0 in reply to Amit Ashara
    Prodigy 50 points
    Amit,

    Thank you for your response. A 640 x 480 would be the minimum resolution we could get by with. We don't need a lot of color depth- maybe even 256 color (8 bit) would be fine. Also the solution does not need to be in the MSP family. We will be developing a desktop device with a simple HMI for user to select operating parameters. My manager initially wanted 800x600 as a minimum, but I don't think this is necessary. However, I don't think I can talk him down to 320x240. When the user presses a button a 1 second delay would be acceptable as long as the memory update happens in the background. There will be not video running, just a user interface. Alpha blend might be nice for scrolling. It seems like the high end processors can handle high resolution and 3D graphics and the low end processors can't handle anything beyond 320x240. Surely there is something in the middle with integrated LCD driver that can handle a max of 800x600 2D graphics.

    Jim
  • 0 in reply to Jim Hampton
    TI__Guru**** 244400 points
    Hello Jim,

    A 640x480 LIDD should be possible with the MSP432E411Y device. However if you are looking at a Raster panel, then 800x480 WVGA display generally are 16bpp and higher. With an external SDRAM it would be feasible to run simple graphics for HMI display.

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