Newhaven 4x40 LCD, issues!

For the past few days I’ve been working with a Newhaven 4x40 Character LCD. The Newhaven NHD-0440WH-ATMI-JT has duel ST7066U controllers. I have written an Initializing routine outlined in the datasheet but “NOTHING”. No cursor, no characters, “NADA”. I have tried PBP LCDOUT using E1 only, no luck here either. Even if that worked I am not sure how to handle E1 & E2 in the LCDOUT command. Can a port assinment DEFINE such as LCD_EBIT be changed with use of the bas. file, PORTL?

Blinky light routine works fine. Any Ideas anyone?

The datasheet reads as if the LCD is in fact two (2x40) LCD’s
16F886 at 4Mhz
I tried to slow the 16F886 to 2Mhz, OSCCON=$50 but PBP didn’t like it.

LCD pinout -------- 16F886 Pin#
1. DB7……..PortA.7……….9
2. DB6……..PortA.6……….10
3. DB5……..PortA.5……….7
4. DB4……..PortA.4……….6
5. DB3……..PortA.3……….5
6. DB2……..PortA.2……….4
7. DB1……..PortA.1……….3
8. DB0……..PortA.0……….2
9. E1………..PortC.0……….11
10. R/W…..PortC.3……….14
11. RS……..PortC.2……….13
12. Vo…….….Center pin 20k pot – 0.5V
13. Vss…….…GND
14. Vdd……...5v
15. E2………...PortC.1……...12
16. NC…….….GND
17. LCD+……100 ohm to 5V
18. LCD-…….GND

Code:

---


;16F886
@ DEVICE MCLR_OFF,BOD_OFF,WDT_ON,LVP_OFF
define osc 4
OSCCON=$60              ;70=8MHz, 60=4MHz, 50=2MHz, 40=1MHz.
ANSEL=$00
ADCON0=$00
CM1CON0= 0
CM2CON0= 0
ANSELH=$00
PortA=0
PortB=0
PortC=0
TrisA=0
TrisB=0
TrisC=0

'Constents
Wakeup        CON $30
FunctionSet  CON $38    ;Function Set = 8bit mode; 2-line; 5x8
DisplayON    CON $0C    ;Turn on display; no cursor
DisplayOnBcursCON $0F ;display on with blinking cursor
DisplayOFF    CON $08    ;Turn off display
EntryMode    CON $06    ;Entry mode cursor increment
ClearDisp    CON $01    ;Clear display
Home          CON $02    ;cursor set to home position


'Variables
Avar var byte
Bvar var byte
Cvar var byte
Dvar var byte
LED  Var PORTB.1

E1  var PORTC.0  ;top 2 lines of display
E2  var PORTC.1  ;bottom 2 lines of display
RS  var PORTC.2
RW  var PortC.3

'EEPROM
Data @0, " Hello World line1  " '20bites
Data @20," Hello World line2  " '20bites address C0h  E1
Data @40," Hello World line3  " '20bites
Data @60," Hello World line4  " '20bites address C0h  E2

Start:
    goto Main

Blinky:
        led =0
        for Avar=1 to 4
        toggle led
        pause 500
        toggle led
        pause 500
        next avar       
        return

;INIT_LCD_SUBS
Command1:                              'command sub for upper 2 lines
        PortA=Cvar
        Rs=0
        RW=0
        E1=1
        pause 5
        E1=0
        return
       
Command2:                              'command sub for lower2 lines
        PortA=Cvar
        Rs=0
        RW=0
        E2=1
        pause 5
        E2=0
        return
       
Writedata1:                                'Write to upper 2 lines
        PortA=Cvar
        Rs=1
        RW=0
        E1=1
        pause 5
        E1=0
        return
       
Writedata2:                                'Write to lower 2 lines
        PortA=Cvar
        Rs=1
        RW=0
        E2=1
        pause 5
        E2=0
        return
       
TestBusyFlag1:                            'waits until BF is clear to return
        PortA=$FF
        Rs=0
        RW=1
        E1=1
RBF: 
        @nop
        @ BTFSC    PortA.7
        goto RBF
        Rs=1     
        RW=0       
        E1=0       
        return       


INIT_LCD:
'Wakeup
        Cvar = Wakeup
        gosub Command1
        gosub Command2
        pause 2       
'Wakeup
        Cvar = Wakeup
        gosub Command1
        gosub Command2
        pause 2
'Wakeup
        Cvar = Wakeup
        gosub Command1
        gosub Command2
        pause 2
;FunctionSet                                  ;Function Set = 8bit mode; 2-line; 5x8
        Cvar = FunctionSet
        gosub Command1
        gosub Command2
        pause 2
       
'Display Off
        cvar = DisplayOFF
        gosub Command1
        gosub Command2
        pause 2
'Display Clear
        Cvar = ClearDisp
        gosub Command1
        gosub Command2
        pause 2
'Entry Mode Set                                  ;Entry mode cursor increment
        cvar = EntryMode
        gosub Command1
        gosub Command2
        pause 2
'Display On       
        cvar = DisplayOnBcurs                ;Turn on display; with blinking cusor
        gosub Command1
        gosub Command2
        pause 2     
        return
       
   
       
Main:                            'Write "Hello World"           
        GOSUB Blinky
        GOSUB INIT_LCD
                       
Message_line1:
        Cvar=Home            ;Set DDRam address for line 1
        gosub Command1
        avar = 0                ;starting address of EEprom first message
        Bvar = Avar + 20
        WHILE Avar < Bvar 
        read Avar, Cvar   
        Avar = Avar + 1
        gosub Writedata1    ;write Cvar(contents of EEProm character) to LCD
        pause 100
        WEND

Marktime:
        toggle led
        pause 1000
        toggle led
        pause 1000
        goto Marktime

    end

---

I have a display now. After making some fine adjustments to Vo, characters are writing as they should. Using both LCDOUT and hammering out the commands as in the code above. More to come!

A 4x40 is really two 2x40's.
And it can be handled this way ... http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/show...=2388#post2388

Thanks for the link Darrel, I'll check this out. It looks like it will solve my problem.

Thanks again!
Wayne

Talk about timing. I just received two Newhaven OLED 4x20 LCD's in the mail today (http://www.newhavendisplay.com/specs...420DZW-AY5.pdf). A couple of questions:

I am putting this on a Microchip demo board (MCP2515) and I can't use all of Port B. Can I use any 8 pins that are free? Also, what is 4 bit operation and is it worthwhile to use it? The datasheet says that 4 lines aren't used when it's in 4 bit operation so I'm curious of using 4 less pins would be advantageous without losing any clarity on the LCD screen.

Sorry to hi-jack the thread but it seems appropriate in this case.

http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/show...ght=lcd+anypin

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mackrackit

http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/show...ght=lcd+anypin

---

Thanks for the link. Regarding my other question, is there any great benefits to using 8 bit (clarity/speed) or will 4 bit do the job? If 4 bit will do the job, just so I understand correctly, I need 7 pins from the PIC:

1. RS
2. R/W
3. E
4. Low order, bi-directional (1)
5. Low order, bi-directional (2)
6. Low order, bi-directional (3)
7. Low order, bi-directional (4)


Am I on the right track?

R/W goes to VSS.

8 bit is a tad faster by the math but I do not think it is humanly noticeable. I never use 8 bit as pins get ...expensive...

Are you sure the R/W pin goes to ground? DT's program and the datasheet both show that R/W gets connected to the PIC. I ask because I'm not getting anything on the screen. DT's programs seems to have complied just fine, although I'm not sure if I did everything correctly.

Not sure where you saw Darrel connecting RW to the PIC, in fact he says not to in this post.
http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/show...=2388#post2388

The R/W pin is exactly what it says Read/Write, with 0 being Write.

Do you have the contrast pin connected to a pot as recommended? That is the most common problem. That should be pin #3 on the display. Not sure why the data sheet does not so it. Got to have contrast control.

Sorry, it wasn't Darrell. It was NavMicroSystems in this picture. Anyhow, I literally get nothing. I can't even see the screen flicker. I've verified it has 4.8V at the power input and I've tried using a pot to adjust the contrast. I've only used serial LCD's from SEETRON in the past so this is new to me. Is there a basic way to test the screen? Like applying power to the LCD and +5 to another pin will display something?

I do not know of a test.
Post your code and connections/schematic.
Maybe we will be able to see the problem.

Here is what I have:

Code:

---

DEFINE OSC 20
@ __CONFIG _CONFIG1L, _PLLDIV_5_1L & _CPUDIV_OSC1_PLL2_1L & _USBDIV_2_1L
@ __CONFIG _CONFIG1H, _FOSC_HSPLL_HS_1H & _FCMEN_OFF_1H & _IESO_OFF_1H
@ __CONFIG _CONFIG2L, _PWRT_OFF_2L & _BOR_OFF_2L & _BORV_3_2L & _VREGEN_ON_2L
@ __CONFIG _CONFIG2H, _WDT_OFF_2H & _WDTPS_32768_2H
@ __CONFIG _CONFIG3H, _CCP2MX_ON_3H & _PBADEN_OFF_3H & _LPT1OSC_OFF_3H & _MCLRE_ON_3H
@ __CONFIG _CONFIG4L, _STVREN_ON_4L & _LVP_OFF_4L & _ICPRT_ON_4L & _XINST_OFF_4L


loopcount var word
;----[ Change these to match your LCD ]---------------------------------------
LCD_DB4    VAR PORTE.1
LCD_DB5    VAR PORTA.3
LCD_DB6    VAR PORTA.4
LCD_DB7    VAR PORTE.2
LCD_RS    VAR PORTD.3
LCD_E      VAR PORTA.5
LCD_Lines  CON 2 ' # of Lines on LCD, 1 or 2 (Note: use 2 for 4 lines)
LCD_DATAUS CON 50 ' Data delay time in us
LCD_COMMANDUS CON 2000 ' Command delay time in us
INCLUDE "LCD_AnyPin.pbp" ; *** Include MUST be AFTER LCD Pin assignments ****
;
;----[ Your Main program starts here ]----------------------------------------
'LoopCount VAR WORD PAUSE 500 : LCDOUT $FE,1 : PAUSE 250 ; Initialize LCD (You may not need this, ; but some displays are picky)
;
Main: LCDOUT $FE,1 ; clear screen
LCDOUT $FE,$87,"Hello,",$FE,$C8,"From DT!"
;
FOR LoopCount = 0 TO 65535
    LCDOUT $FE,$80, IDEC LoopCount
    LCDOUT $FE,$C0, IHEX4 LoopCount
NEXT LoopCount
GOTO Main

---

Pin connections are as follows:


1 VSS
2 VDD
3 10K POT
4 PORTD.3
5 VSS
6 PORTA.5
7 N/C
8 N/C
9 N/C
10 N/C
11 PORTE.1
12 PORTA.3
13 PORTA.4
14 PORTE.2
15 N/C
16 N/C

Did you turn the ADC off someplace ?

That's the entire code. I rechecked everything and everything looks okay. I bought two LCD's so when I get home I'll try the other one. I don't know what else I can check. I have an old Mikroelectronica board that has pins for parallel LCD's so maybe I'll use that with the standard code (all pins on the same port) to see if it's my hardware or software that's causing the issue.

With those configs ... the PIC is running at 48mhz, not 20.
So change the DEFINE OSC 20 to DEFINE OSC 48.

And like Dave mentioned ... add ADCON1 = $0F before the LCD pins/include.

Christopher, I had all my wiring correct and the code looked good but I still had no display. The problem was Vo. The contrast was a critical adjustment. Once I found the sweet spot, just above 0 VDC, all was well.

I've attatched a txt file with the code to test the LCD using E1 & E2, no other hardware needed. R/W can be tied to GND or to an output. Make the necessary VAR pin assinment changes. This code will write to all four lines without using LCDOUT command.

Wayne

Attachment 6659

I've tried everything you guys suggested and still no dice.

I went back to the normal LCDOUT commands where I have everything on PORTB. I've tried my Easypic3 board and the 2X16 LCD that came with it, along with 3 other LCD displays I had laying around. I get one line of solid characters, which of course is adjustable with the contrast POT on the board. The LED blinks as intended but nothing on the LCD screen. Do I need to pull up or down any other lines? Is there anything else I can check?

I'm thinking it might be my files or programmer, but my other programs program just fine. I even reinstalled the PBP file that I modified last night for DT's program but I get the same results. Anything else I can check?

Nevermind, I'm an idiot. I got the Easypic3 board working and now I'll move onto trying to make the NewHaven LCD screen work.

I can confirm all LCD's work on the Easypic board but I can't get any to work on the demo board. Can someone check my modified pbppic18 file to see if it's correct? I can't tell if I have a hardware issue or a software issue.

> DT > The modifications were correct.
Copyrighted file removed.

Problem solved......kinda.

I can get DT's program working on my Easypic board but not on my demo board so my issue is definitely hardware. I need a magnifying glass........

Thanks to everyone who helped, I learned a lot!

The issue ended up being a capacitor on the demo board. I'm assuming that the rise time for the data lines wasn't quick enough. The other thing I've learned is, this LCD does not have contrast control and therefore Vo does not exist on this screen. Seems strange but that's why pin 3 is listed as N/C.

Darrel, this program is awesome. You deserve a raise!

Christopher, pin 3 is DB5, pin 16 is NC. If you have a 20k pot center taped to Vo you should have contrast. I can vary the contrast on my 4x40 over about a turn and a half of the pot. It goes from almost no visible characters to bright characters. Look over your Vo hardware once more.

Wayne

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MOUNTAIN747

Christopher, pin 3 is DB5, pin 16 is NC. If you have a 20k pot center taped to Vo you should have contrast. I can vary the contrast on my 4x40 over about a turn and a half of the pot. It goes from almost no visible characters to bright characters. Look over your Vo hardware once more.

Wayne

---

You have an LCD screen. I have an OLED screen ( I know I put LCD above but it was a mistake). Pin 3 for me is no connection. Putting a POT on pin 3 does nothing. Again, this board does not have a Vo pin.

I suppose you could adjust the contrast by lowering the input voltage if it's really necessary.

Wow, I totality missed that. My apologies, I was a bit too energetic to help and failed to read your first post closely. Glad you got the OLED working. It's a good looking display!

No worries. I'd prefer someone be too energetic to help than not help at all.

I have a Newhaven display here with the ST7066U driver. It doesnt work, nor did its replacement. I then went to an Optrex and plugged it into my connector, and it worked right away. Coincidence? Either way, could you guys confirm that a ST7066U driver works?

Thanks.

Jmgelba,
Just a suggestion, try using the above Newheaven_4x40_Text Code.txt , INIT_LCD rutine and its sub’s, EEPRON, and E1 variable. This routine is for a duel ST7066U so you should only use Command1 in INIT_LCD. After initializing the LCD, all PBP commands should work. As stated in above post’s Vo adjustment must be made to find the sweet spot to display. Good luck!

Wayne