I2C/TWI LCD1602 Module (SKU: DFR0063)

shellakaa

Member
I2C/TWI LCD1602 Module (SKU: DFR0063)

Hi,
I included a 2 x 16 LCD in a recent order I am waiting on. The reason was I liked to have a simple display that would just plug in and work with the picaxe i2c commands, and wanted to use synchronus communication and it was inexpensive,seemed value for money for a serial LCD.

Would there be i2c display code here that might cut and past ?

Does not appear to be a datasheet . There is some arduino code. I suppose Im going to have to read that to program it with picaxe basic.
 

BeanieBots

Moderator
Too late now but the simplest and best supported display is the AXE033.

Impossible to say for your display without the datasheet but I'm sure it's simple enough. The tricky part will be how to initialise. What codes do you need to send? How will you ever know without a datasheet?

Arduino code should be simple enough to translate for the display side of things. It will at least give you the codes that need to be sent.
 

shellakaa

Member
too late now

Too late now((exactly what i thought))

Damit... and I have not had much joy looking at the arduino code but only starting. Well thats what i can open in notepad, there are demo files and others that are pde that ill need the editor itself to read. May make more sense.

I will see if I can find a datasheet at dfrobot. There is no mention of one so ill ask. That will make life easier than arduino code.

it is below and not overly helpful. Of course there will be a datasheet somewhere.

Code:
//www.DFRobot.com
//last updated on 26/11/2010
//Tim Starling Fix the reset bug (Thanks Tim)
//wiki doc http://www.dfrobot.com/wiki/index.php?title=I2C/TWI_LCD1602_Module_(SKU:_DFR0063)
//Support Forum: http://www.dfrobot.com/forum/


#include "LiquidCrystal_I2C.h"
#include <inttypes.h>
#include "WProgram.h" 
#include "Wire.h"



// When the display powers up, it is configured as follows:
//
// 1. Display clear
// 2. Function set: 
//    DL = 1; 8-bit interface data 
//    N = 0; 1-line display 
//    F = 0; 5x8 dot character font 
// 3. Display on/off control: 
//    D = 0; Display off 
//    C = 0; Cursor off 
//    B = 0; Blinking off 
// 4. Entry mode set: 
//    I/D = 1; Increment by 1
//    S = 0; No shift 
//
// Note, however, that resetting the Arduino doesn't reset the LCD, so we
// can't assume that its in that state when a sketch starts (and the
// LiquidCrystal constructor is called).

LiquidCrystal_I2C::LiquidCrystal_I2C(uint8_t lcd_Addr,uint8_t lcd_cols,uint8_t lcd_rows)
{
  _Addr = lcd_Addr;
  _cols = lcd_cols;
  _rows = lcd_rows;
  _backlightval = LCD_NOBACKLIGHT;
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::init(){
	init_priv();
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::init_priv()
{
	Wire.begin();
	_displayfunction = LCD_4BITMODE | LCD_1LINE | LCD_5x8DOTS;
	begin(_cols, _rows);  
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::begin(uint8_t cols, uint8_t lines, uint8_t dotsize) {
	if (lines > 1) {
		_displayfunction |= LCD_2LINE;
	}
	_numlines = lines;

	// for some 1 line displays you can select a 10 pixel high font
	if ((dotsize != 0) && (lines == 1)) {
		_displayfunction |= LCD_5x10DOTS;
	}

	// SEE PAGE 45/46 FOR INITIALIZATION SPECIFICATION!
	// according to datasheet, we need at least 40ms after power rises above 2.7V
	// before sending commands. Arduino can turn on way befer 4.5V so we'll wait 50
	delay(50); 
  
	// Now we pull both RS and R/W low to begin commands
	expanderWrite(_backlightval);	// reset expanderand turn backlight off (Bit 8 =1)
	delay(1000);

  	//put the LCD into 4 bit mode
	// this is according to the hitachi HD44780 datasheet
	// figure 24, pg 46
	
	  // we start in 8bit mode, try to set 4 bit mode
   write4bits(0x03 << 4);
   delayMicroseconds(4500); // wait min 4.1ms
   
   // second try
   write4bits(0x03 << 4);
   delayMicroseconds(4500); // wait min 4.1ms
   
   // third go!
   write4bits(0x03 << 4); 
   delayMicroseconds(150);
   
   // finally, set to 4-bit interface
   write4bits(0x02 << 4); 


	// set # lines, font size, etc.
	command(LCD_FUNCTIONSET | _displayfunction);  
	
	// turn the display on with no cursor or blinking default
	_displaycontrol = LCD_DISPLAYON | LCD_CURSOROFF | LCD_BLINKOFF;
	display();
	
	// clear it off
	clear();
	
	// Initialize to default text direction (for roman languages)
	_displaymode = LCD_ENTRYLEFT | LCD_ENTRYSHIFTDECREMENT;
	
	// set the entry mode
	command(LCD_ENTRYMODESET | _displaymode);
	
	home();
  
}



/********** high level commands, for the user! */
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::clear(){
	command(LCD_CLEARDISPLAY);// clear display, set cursor position to zero
	delayMicroseconds(2000);  // this command takes a long time!
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::home(){
	command(LCD_RETURNHOME);  // set cursor position to zero
	delayMicroseconds(2000);  // this command takes a long time!
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::setCursor(uint8_t col, uint8_t row){
	int row_offsets[] = { 0x00, 0x40, 0x14, 0x54 };
	if ( row > _numlines ) {
		row = _numlines-1;    // we count rows starting w/0
	}
	command(LCD_SETDDRAMADDR | (col + row_offsets[row]));
}

// Turn the display on/off (quickly)
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::noDisplay() {
	_displaycontrol &= ~LCD_DISPLAYON;
	command(LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL | _displaycontrol);
}
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::display() {
	_displaycontrol |= LCD_DISPLAYON;
	command(LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL | _displaycontrol);
}

// Turns the underline cursor on/off
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::noCursor() {
	_displaycontrol &= ~LCD_CURSORON;
	command(LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL | _displaycontrol);
}
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::cursor() {
	_displaycontrol |= LCD_CURSORON;
	command(LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL | _displaycontrol);
}

// Turn on and off the blinking cursor
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::noBlink() {
	_displaycontrol &= ~LCD_BLINKON;
	command(LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL | _displaycontrol);
}
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::blink() {
	_displaycontrol |= LCD_BLINKON;
	command(LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL | _displaycontrol);
}

// These commands scroll the display without changing the RAM
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::scrollDisplayLeft(void) {
	command(LCD_CURSORSHIFT | LCD_DISPLAYMOVE | LCD_MOVELEFT);
}
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::scrollDisplayRight(void) {
	command(LCD_CURSORSHIFT | LCD_DISPLAYMOVE | LCD_MOVERIGHT);
}

// This is for text that flows Left to Right
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::leftToRight(void) {
	_displaymode |= LCD_ENTRYLEFT;
	command(LCD_ENTRYMODESET | _displaymode);
}

// This is for text that flows Right to Left
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::rightToLeft(void) {
	_displaymode &= ~LCD_ENTRYLEFT;
	command(LCD_ENTRYMODESET | _displaymode);
}

// This will 'right justify' text from the cursor
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::autoscroll(void) {
	_displaymode |= LCD_ENTRYSHIFTINCREMENT;
	command(LCD_ENTRYMODESET | _displaymode);
}

// This will 'left justify' text from the cursor
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::noAutoscroll(void) {
	_displaymode &= ~LCD_ENTRYSHIFTINCREMENT;
	command(LCD_ENTRYMODESET | _displaymode);
}

// Allows us to fill the first 8 CGRAM locations
// with custom characters
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::createChar(uint8_t location, uint8_t charmap[]) {
	location &= 0x7; // we only have 8 locations 0-7
	command(LCD_SETCGRAMADDR | (location << 3));
	for (int i=0; i<8; i++) {
		write(charmap[i]);
	}
}

// Turn the (optional) backlight off/on
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::noBacklight(void) {
	_backlightval=LCD_NOBACKLIGHT;
	expanderWrite(0);
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::backlight(void) {
	_backlightval=LCD_BACKLIGHT;
	expanderWrite(0);
}



/*********** mid level commands, for sending data/cmds */

inline void LiquidCrystal_I2C::command(uint8_t value) {
	send(value, 0);
}

inline void LiquidCrystal_I2C::write(uint8_t value) {
	send(value, Rs);
}



/************ low level data pushing commands **********/

// write either command or data
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::send(uint8_t value, uint8_t mode) {
	uint8_t highnib=value&0xf0;
	uint8_t lownib=(value<<4)&0xf0;
       write4bits((highnib)|mode);
	write4bits((lownib)|mode); 
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::write4bits(uint8_t value) {
	expanderWrite(value);
	pulseEnable(value);
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::expanderWrite(uint8_t _data){                                        
	Wire.beginTransmission(_Addr);
	Wire.send((int)(_data) | _backlightval);
	Wire.endTransmission();   
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::pulseEnable(uint8_t _data){
	expanderWrite(_data | En);	// En high
	delayMicroseconds(1);		// enable pulse must be >450ns
	
	expanderWrite(_data & ~En);	// En low
	delayMicroseconds(50);		// commands need > 37us to settle
} 


// Alias functions

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::cursor_on(){
	cursor();
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::cursor_off(){
	noCursor();
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::blink_on(){
	blink();
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::blink_off(){
	noBlink();
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::load_custom_character(uint8_t char_num, uint8_t *rows){
		createChar(char_num, rows);
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::setBacklight(uint8_t new_val){
	if(new_val){
		backlight();		// turn backlight on
	}else{
		noBacklight();		// turn backlight off
	}
}

void LiquidCrystal_I2C::printstr(const char c[]){
	//This function is not identical to the function used for "real" I2C displays
	//it's here so the user sketch doesn't have to be changed 
	print(c);
}


// unsupported API functions
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::off(){}
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::on(){}
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::setDelay (int cmdDelay,int charDelay) {}
uint8_t LiquidCrystal_I2C::status(){return 0;}
uint8_t LiquidCrystal_I2C::keypad (){return 0;}
uint8_t LiquidCrystal_I2C::init_bargraph(uint8_t graphtype){return 0;}
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::draw_horizontal_graph(uint8_t row, uint8_t column, uint8_t len,  uint8_t pixel_col_end){}
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::draw_vertical_graph(uint8_t row, uint8_t column, uint8_t len,  uint8_t pixel_row_end){}
void LiquidCrystal_I2C::setContrast(uint8_t new_val){}
 
Last edited:

westaust55

Moderator
From several examples on the dfrobot website they are typically in the format:
//DFRobot.com
#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>

uint8_t bell[8] = {0x4,0xe,0xe,0xe,0x1f,0x0,0x4};
uint8_t note[8] = {0x2,0x3,0x2,0xe,0x1e,0xc,0x0};
uint8_t clock[8] = {0x0,0xe,0x15,0x17,0x11,0xe,0x0};
uint8_t heart[8] = {0x0,0xa,0x1f,0x1f,0xe,0x4,0x0};
uint8_t duck[8] = {0x0,0xc,0x1d,0xf,0xf,0x6,0x0};
uint8_t check[8] = {0x0,0x1,0x3,0x16,0x1c,0x8,0x0};
uint8_t cross[8] = {0x0,0x1b,0xe,0x4,0xe,0x1b,0x0};
uint8_t retarrow[8] = { 0x1,0x1,0x5,0x9,0x1f,0x8,0x4};

LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27,16,2); // set the LCD address to 0x27 for a 16 chars and 2 line display

void setup()
{
lcd.init(); // initialize the lcd
lcd.backlight();

lcd.createChar(0, bell);
lcd.createChar(1, note);
lcd.createChar(2, clock);
lcd.createChar(3, heart);
lcd.createChar(4, duck);
lcd.createChar(5, check);
lcd.createChar(6, cross);
lcd.createChar(7, retarrow);
lcd.home();

lcd.print("Hello world...");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(" i ");
lcd.print(3, BYTE);
lcd.print(" arduinos!");
delay(5000);
displayKeyCodes();

}
These all use $27 ( = %01001110 - remember the last bit is R/W bit and actual address is the top 7 bits) as the i2c address so that will be a potential starting point along with the usual hitachi LCD controller codes.
 
Last edited:

shellakaa

Member
Ok thanks . When this arrives I will put it and an 18m2 on their own breadboard and goto it on a daily basis till something good happens. It will either be a very good or very deflating feeling :)

Heres's a silly question, when I have a stereo connector plugged into breadboard
well its ok connection but plugging in the cable lifts the connector up ,often off the board and I have to push and hold it while downloading. Guess I could notch the bboard with an knife but prolly lose a finger. :eek::eek::
 

russbow

Senior Member
... well its ok connection but plugging in the cable lifts the connector up ,often off the board ...
Or solder it to a small piece of veroboard, ( maybe include the 10K/22K resistors ) plus a 3 pin header and then it will plug in nicely.
 

shellakaa

Member
thanks for suggestions really. some of my ignorance might result from not having even simple stuff like header pins just for example but thats all about to change whenever my order from futurlec arrives. I ordered just a big pile of stuff that may be handy.

(and a tendency to do what first comes to mind)

I was about to pull out my hunting knife ;)
 

hippy

Ex-Staff (retired)
Heres's a silly question, when I have a stereo connector plugged into breadboard
well its ok connection but plugging in the cable lifts the connector up ,often off the board and I have to push and hold it while downloading.
The jack socket pins are quite short and thin so don't make a good connection with the breadboard. You can have problems with poor contact in these situations.

Rev-Ed manufacture a breadboard adapter to help resolve this problem -

http://www.techsupplies.co.uk/AXE029

Alternatively build your own. The simplest solution is to solder three wires to the jack socket pins then plug those wires into the breadboard.
 

phillavery

New Member
Any updates?

Hi, has anyone worked out how to use these modules yet? I am particularly interested in being able to use the I2C capability for display purposes. Thanks Phil
 
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