Simply LCD USB connect based on FTDI chip

1kizin · Post by **1kizin** » December 5th, 2008, 8:48 pm

Hi

It is possible to use DB7 from ftdi to steering lazes of display LCD

Post by **limbo** » December 24th, 2008, 9:17 am

I have tested the FTDI using the "whirleyes" diagram.
The FTDI 245R series module works like a charm.

Some additional notes for non-hardware-experienced users:

Upon the first connection of the converter on the PC you gonna need the windows driver for the device. This driver is available from FTDI on the following page: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

The LCD Smartie driver must be extracted to displays directory on the program folder.

Final considerations:
I just wonder if its possible to command backlight and other devices using the spare pins on the FTDI module. Is this possible?

Edit: I forgot to mention that custom characters are supported as well!

x10joe · Post by **x10joe** » December 26th, 2008, 5:32 pm

Hi,

I have this working with a FTDI 232 with no problems. I was wondering if it is possible to use with a 4x40 display. A second enable line is needed. I use a 4x40 with LCD Smartie using the LPT and it works fine. If so what would the connection be for the second enable line?

Post by **mattcro** » December 27th, 2008, 4:48 pm

D7 (RI) on the FT245 (and FT232) module seems to be unused so it could be used to control the second ENable signal to a 4x40 LCD. I don't think the driver currently supports this though.

1kizin · Post by **1kizin** » December 27th, 2008, 8:28 pm

Hi

I m do module from balik sheme, and I have problem it don t work.

I have this error:

Post by **limbo** » December 28th, 2008, 8:08 pm

1kizin wrote:Hi

I m do module from balik sheme, and I have problem it don t work.

I have this error:

Check the posts above to find the latest LCD Smartie driver.
Download windows drivers from FTDI site and check if the device is recognized by windows (if its working properly).
Are you using more than one FTDI devices on your system?

1kizin · Post by **1kizin** » December 29th, 2008, 2:25 pm

I m using only one FTDI device.
It is recognized by windows USB Serial Converter and USB serial port (com7).
I m reinstal windows and when I choose a FTDI_LCD.dll and apply this LCD was cleared and on lcd it is nothing.
I can t find old driver. You have it?

Post by **limbo** » December 29th, 2008, 9:53 pm

Do you see black lines before the LCD Smartie command it go go blank?
Do you get any message from LCD Smartie upon the driver load?
Have you double checked the wirings?

1kizin · Post by **1kizin** » December 29th, 2008, 10:05 pm

"Yes I see black lines before the LCD Smartie command it go go blank.
I don t have message from LCD Smartie.
Yes I double checked the wirings."

J m changed wires to this: (http://pixca.net/wp-content/public/wiring.jpg) and it is working.

Master1280 · Post by **Master1280** » January 13th, 2009, 5:22 pm

Hi

My ftdi chip have 12 data R/W general outs an inputs

setteable in bitbang mode

my question is

how i can make a 8 bit data interfase and connect 2 displays?

im noob programing in c++

maybe someone cant make the miracle possible?

tnx a lot

Post by **limbo** » January 14th, 2009, 7:56 pm

@ 1kizin
Enjoy you LCD...

@ Master1280
You probably need a new LCD Smartie driver to get it working on 8bit.

dyter · Post by **dyter** » February 27th, 2009, 5:43 pm

Nick_Shl wrote:New version of plugin. Now it work with any shematic and codepages.
Downloading: Download link (from RapidShare.com).
Installation: copy FTDI_LCD.dll and FTDI_LCD.ini to <LCD Smartie>\displays directory.
Configuration: edit FTDI_LCD.ini file. For change shematic edit

Very thanks, it's work with my lcd 2x16 like a charm !

usling · Post by **usling** » March 17th, 2009, 12:41 pm

Does this also work with FT232R/FT245R? It seems to be a newer chip from FTDI, but it is also what i can get hold of easily without having to involve international shipping...
This is the module i'm planning to buy:
http://apple.clickandbuild.com/cnb/shop ... tle=UM245R (UM245R)

info about the chip:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Products/FT245R.htm
http://www.ftdichip.com/Products/FT232Rfaq.htm

This is what worries me a bit:

Are the FT232R and FT245R pin compatible with the BM series devices?
"No. This is due to external components (EEPROM, clock source and series resistors) being absorbed into the FT232R and FT245R devices. The FT232R and FT245R are available in 28-pin SSOP and 32-pin QFN packages while the BM series devices were available in 32-pin LQFP and 32-pin QFN packages."

- So i will have to make a new schematic for it to work? I am planning to buy a module, not just the chip.
- Also, for my 2x16 VFD display, do i need the 10K and 100K resistors? I mean VFD's can't regulate backlight and that is what those are for?

Sorry if i mix up terms and stuff, i'm new to this. But i want to learn!

Master1280 · Post by **Master1280** » March 18th, 2009, 1:39 am

- So i will have to make a new schematic for it to work? I am planning to buy a module, not just the chip.
- Also, for my 2x16 VFD display, do i need the 10K and 100K resistors? I mean VFD's can't regulate backlight and that is what those are for?

Yes, u need make a another scheme, but is easy to build with the module

Backlight is regulated with a potentiometer.

here some ugly pic,

This is my n?5 lcd circuit
Good Luck.

TheBrain · Post by **TheBrain** » March 18th, 2009, 4:37 am

Solved my own question..
So im changing it, can someone confirm my wireing?
Its basicly the same as "whirleyes" posted. Click Me..
Btw, im gona use "FT232RL"...

makarona · Post by **makarona** » March 21st, 2009, 4:38 am

Got it working on FT232BM, wiring crystal, decoupling, etc according datasheet + wiring LCD according 1-st post in this thread = works fine. Thank you guys. Amazing thingy. Photos post later:)

usling · Post by **usling** » April 6th, 2009, 8:21 pm

I got it working with my VFD aswell. I use the UM245R module from FTDI. Did a rookie mistake and managed to switch 2 wires, but it works anyway thanks to Nick_Shl's nice hardware config settings

HFX Mini HTPC chassi:

Schematic:

I don't think i need any potentiometers since it's a VFD.

The thumbnail is pretty small, but it says "Thank you Nick_Shl!"

Also, thank you developers of LCDsmartie, it's an awesome little program.

jaca76 · Post by **jaca76** » December 30th, 2009, 9:15 pm

I made display connect to usb via zl2usb according drawing from second page post by markazik
I use plugin FTDI_LCD ,but on screen I have only slash and "?" moving according changing screen on smrtie.
Snartie 5.4.1 and display zyscom 4x20 .
Do you have any suggestions what I doing wrong?

Post by **caesar** » January 7th, 2010, 9:30 am

i don't know anything about zl2usb but it sounds like some data wires could be connected wrongly.
I suggest to triple check the wiring.

usling · Post by **usling** » August 13th, 2010, 3:38 pm

Error:
i don't know why, but latest update in windows update, called

FTDI - Other Hardware - USB Serial port
662kb
released in July 2010
published august 12 2010

Makes my computer randomly hang up. Not even a bluescreen, the picture and sound just freezes in a constant state causing my speakers to go BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Temporary solution is to not install this update. I don't know if its my computer, my wiring of the chip to the VFD display or this driver.
This is my scheme http://img529.imageshack.us/my.php?image=schema.gif
I use win7 64bit.

stan001 · Post by **stan001** » October 2nd, 2010, 4:24 pm

Hi,

I read thru all the posting and got me a little bit confused... I made a Parallel version of the LCD but most of my other PCs & laptops does not have parallel port... using an Arduino to drive the USB to LCD is a little bit more expensive...

Can the below FTDI board using FT232RL be able to work with the LCD Smartie with the FTDI LCD drivers posted here ?

Thank you

FTDI BASIC BREAKOUT 3.3/5V (ARDUINO COMPATIBLE)

http://www.dfrobot.com/index.php?route= ... uct_id=147

This is a basic breakout board for the FTDI FT232RL USB to serial IC. The pinout of this board matches the FTDI cable to work with official Arduino and cloned 3.3V Arduino boards. It can also be used for general serial applications. The major difference with this board is that it brings out the DTR pin as opposed to the RTS pin of the FTDI cable. The DTR pin allows an Arduino target to auto-reset when a new Sketch is downloaded. This is a really nice feature to have and allows a sketch to be downloaded without having to hit the reset button. This board will auto reset any Arduino board that has the reset pin brought out to a 6-pin connector.

The pins labeled BLK and GRN correspond to the colored wires on the FTDI cable. The black wire on the FTDI cable is GND, green is DTR. Use these BLK and GRN pins to align the FTDI basic board with your Arduino target.

There are pros and cons to the FTDI Cable vs the FTDI Basic. This board has TX and RX LEDs that allow you to actually see serial traffic on the LEDs to verify if the board is working, but this board requires a miniB cable. The FTDI Cable is well protected against the elements, but is large and cannot be embedded into a project as easily. The FTDI Basic uses DTR to cause a hardware reset where the FTDI cable uses the RTS signal.

Post by **mattcro** » October 4th, 2010, 12:37 pm

It looks like all the FT232 pins are brought out to the pin header rows on the PCB, so you can hook up this board to your LCD according to the schematic at the top of this thread (first post). Then you just copy the driver DLL to your Smartie/plugins folder and select it in the Smartie screen config panel.

Post by **caesar** » October 6th, 2010, 2:18 pm

If I remember correctly you still have to use a program from FTDI (available on their website) to put the 232RL chip into their DLL mode (it comes with Virtual COM enabled).

Then it should work as mattcro said.

stan001 · Post by **stan001** » October 12th, 2010, 5:42 am

Thanks for the replies, I just order 2 units on the FTDI breakout board, will try to hook up to the LCD Module and post any findings back here..

The online vendor missed out my orders!!!! Need to wait longer..

Anyway, I found a good documentation about USB LCD Interface from this URL below :
http://www.chinwah-engineering.com/USB_LCD.html

Pretty easy to understand documentation...

stan001 · Post by **stan001** » October 27th, 2010, 5:55 pm

My FT232RL finally arrived and I confirm it is working with LCD Smartie in bit bang mode.

Thank you for all the replies and assistance..

Need to enable the DLL mode by doing the following in WinXP :-

Device Manager -> Universal Serial Bus Controller -> USB Serial -> Advanced Tab

Uncheck Load VCP

Re-plug in the FT232RL and it will be in DLL mode...

To enable Virtual Com Port, reverse the steps above.

LCD Smartie

Simply LCD USB connect based on FTDI chip

How tu use with a 4x40 display

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