For inexperienced users who want to independently create control systems for robotic devices or automation tools, various hardware modules and their modifications are offered on the IT services market. As a rule, such devices have a simple architecture with the right to copy and the software that comes with them in the form of simple utilities. Such products can be used both independently and connected to other computer systems via wired or wireless interfaces.
Pros of working with graphic displays
Previously, graphical monochrome displays were widely used in cell phone manufacturing.
Nokia has released a huge number of different models equipped with such a screen. The days of those phones are gone, but displays have not disappeared from the market and continue to be actively used to this day. They turned out to be indispensable and, in addition, cheap devices for displaying text and graphic information. Graphic displays work by creating a matrix of dots on the screens, which highlight the image. They save resources and time, while displaying a large amount of information and consuming a small amount of energy. There are many different areas where Nokia 5110 devices can be used: photo, video, TV, medical, and many other industries.
Before describing how to connect a Nokia display to an Arduino hardware module, it is necessary to give a brief introduction to these devices.
Benefits of using Arduino Uno
Many platforms and microcontrollers have been created that are analogous to the Arduino platform presented in this article. Some of these analogues are Netmedia's BX-24, Parallax Basic Stamp and many others. However, let's focus on the Arduino Uno, since this constructor has a number of advantages over other controllers. You should pay attention to them when choosing a platform for work. First of all, this is the low cost of these devices. Models with this software cost less than $45 and can be built by hand if desired, as they have a fairly simple design. The second point worth noting is that Arduino platforms can work with all operating systems: Windows, Linux, and Macintosh OSX, while all others are limited to working exclusively with Windows.
Arduino Uno description
Arduino Uno is a platform for developing and programming various devices, which has 14 digital inputs and outputs, 6 analog inputs,several connectors (USB, ICSP, power) and a button that has the function of rebooting the device. This platform has a built-in fuse that prevents short circuits and ensures safe operation with the USB cable. It is triggered when more than 500 mA of current passes through the USB port. Compared to mainframe computers, the Arduino Uno interacts much more tightly with the surrounding physical environment. The platform is built on a printed circuit board and designed to work with open source. It can be used by both students and amateurs, as well as professionals who can extend and supplement the models at their discretion and work freely with open source. The platform is designed in such a way that new components can be easily added to it. The design assumes the choice by the developer of independent use of the device, therefore it is not placed in the case and does not have a rigid binding to the installation.
Description of Nokia 5110 display
The Nokia 5110 graphic display is a budget monochrome display with a diagonal of 1.6 , which allows you to display not only text information, but also pictures. Its resolution is 48x84 px, and the voltage at which it can operate is 2.7-5 Q. Information is displayed in vertical blocks, eight pixels high and six lines wide, and each contact is labeled on the back to help users locate them.
For full operation graphic displaymust be connected to the board. This article details how to connect the Nokia 5110 to the Arduino Uno to get started with the display.
Materials required for connection
-
Nokia 5110 Graphic Display;
- Arduino Uno;
- loop or seven wires;
- USB cable (for connecting to a computer), battery or AC/DC adapter (for supplying power to the board without the help of a computer).
How to connect Nokia 5110 Graphic Display to Arduino
1. The first step is to connect the Nokia 5110 display to the Arduino. Included with the graphics device is a breadboard mount with eight connectors. If you plan to use a circuit board, then "straight legs" are fine. In other cases, it is worth purchasing connectors at an angle of 90 degrees. First, they should be inserted into the display itself, and then attach the device to the Arduino.
2. Next, you need to connect the wires. It is best to use a cable, but a regular MGTF wire will also work. It is important to know that this display is not powered by 5 V, but by 3.3 V. Therefore, you can safely connect 3 V to plus and ground to minus. The remaining wiring is connected in a certain sequence to the Arduino and Nokia 5110. The connection diagram is as follows:
- Gnd contact (common wire) - to Arduino ground (to minus);
- Bl (backlight power) - to Arduino ground (to minus);
- Vcc (powermodule) - to port 3.3V on Arduino.
Next, all contacts from right to left are connected to ports:
- Pin 1 (SCLK - pulse for information transmission) - digital port D3;
- Pin 2 (SDIN/MOSI - data) - digital port D4;
- Pin 3 (D/C - data type) - digital port D5;
- Pin 4 (RST) - digital port D6;
- Pin 5 (SCE - chip selection) - digital port D7.
Working with libraries
In order to display the necessary information on the screen of the device, you need to load the library. The best option for working with textual information is the LCD5110_Graph program. You can already tell from the name that this library was created specifically for Nokia 5110. The utility can also be downloaded from the Internet. It is attached as an archive. The unzipped file must be moved to the Libraries folder. After that, you can run the program. In the opened window, you need to select "File", move the cursor to "Examples", then select the one you need. The finished code will appear on the screen, which is very clear to users and elementary to use. All the necessary information can be read and edited, but it is important not to break the structure of the code. Various functions of the library will expand the possibilities of working with Nokia 5110.
In order for graphic drawings to be displayed on the display, they must first be drawn in graphic programs such aslike Adobe Photoshop or Paint. After the drawing is ready, it must be saved in BMP (Monochrome Bitmap) format. Next, using the library, you should convert the drawing to open source. After these steps, an image will appear on the screen.
This connection of the Nokia 5110 display to Arduino will help you master the basic skills of working with graphic displays and learn how to program images using a variety of hardware modules.
