Microprocessors System

LCD I2C

Prof. Adelino T. Racusa

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display):I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit):
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) I2C display
is a type of digital display that utilizes the I2C
(Inter-Integrated Circuit) communication protocol to
interface with a microcontroller, such as an Arduino
Uno R3 board.

This display technology allows for the easy

integration of text, numbers, and simple graphics
onto a screen, making it a popular choice for a
wide range of applications.
The key aspects of LCD I2C in Arduino are:

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): LCDs are widely used display devices that can be
found in various electronic devices, from simple digital clocks to complex industrial
control panels. They are capable of displaying alphanumeric characters, symbols, and
even simple graphics.

I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit): I2C is a serial communication protocol that allows

multiple devices to communicate with a single microcontroller using only two wires:
the Serial Data (SDA) and Serial Clock (SCL) lines. This makes it an efficient way to
connect peripherals to a microcontroller, as it reduces the number of pins required.
SDA and SCL are the two main communication lines used in the I2C (Inter-
Integrated Circuit) protocol, which is the protocol used to interface with LCD I2C
displays.

SDA (Serial Data): The SDA line is used to transmit data between the master device
(e.g., Arduino Uno R3) and the slave device (e.g., LCD I2C display). This line carries
the actual data being transferred between the devices.

SCL (Serial Clock): The SCL line is used to provide the clock signal that
synchronizes the data transfer between the master and slave devices. The master
device generates the clock signal, and the slave device uses it to latch the data on the
SDA line.

The I2C protocol is a two-wire communication protocol, meaning it only requires two
lines (SDA and SCL) to establish communication between the devices, in addition to
the ground (GND) connection.
LCD I2C with Arduino
Real-Life Applications

Home Automation: LCD I2C displays can be used in smart home systems to display
information about temperature, humidity, security status, and other environmental
conditions.
Industrial Control Panels: These displays are commonly used in industrial settings
to provide information and status updates about machinery, production processes,
and system parameters.
Robotics and Embedded Systems: LCD I2C displays can be integrated into robotic
systems and other embedded devices to provide user feedback and status
information.
IoT Devices: LCD I2C displays can be used in IoT (Internet of Things) devices, such
as smart home hubs, to display relevant information and allow for user interaction.
Educational Projects: LCD I2C displays are often used in educational settings, such
as Arduino and Raspberry Pi projects, to provide visual output and interact with users.
Advantages of LCD I2C Displays
The main advantages of using LCD I2C displays include:

Reduced Wiring: The I2C protocol requires only two communication lines (SDA and
SCL) to transmit data, reducing the number of pins needed on the microcontroller.

Easy Integration: LCD I2C displays can be easily integrated into Arduino Uno R3 and
other microcontroller-based projects, as the I2C protocol is widely supported.

Low Power Consumption: LCD I2C displays typically consume less power
compared to other display technologies, making them suitable for battery-powered
applications.

Versatility: LCD I2C displays can be used to display a variety of information, including
text, numbers, and simple graphics, making them suitable for a wide range of
applications.
Disadvantages of LCD I2C Displays
Some of the potential disadvantages of LCD I2C displays include:

Limited Resolution: LCD I2C displays usually have a lower resolution compared to
other display technologies, such as OLED or touchscreen displays.

Restricted Viewing Angle: The viewing angle of LCD I2C displays can be limited,
depending on the specific display module used.

Limited Color Depth: Most LCD I2C displays are limited to a smaller color depth,
typically supporting only a few colors or grayscale.
Disadvantages of LCD I2C Displays
Some of the potential disadvantages of LCD I2C displays include:

Limited Resolution: LCD I2C displays usually have a lower resolution compared to
other display technologies, such as OLED or touchscreen displays.

Restricted Viewing Angle: The viewing angle of LCD I2C displays can be limited,
depending on the specific display module used.

Limited Color Depth: Most LCD I2C displays are limited to a smaller color depth,
typically supporting only a few colors or grayscale.
Interfacing LCD I2C with Arduino Uno R3

To interface an LCD I2C display with an Arduino Uno R3 board, you can follow these
steps:

1. Connect the LCD I2C Display to the Arduino Uno R3:

• Connect the SDA (Serial Data) pin of the LCD I2C display to the SDA pin (A4)
of the Arduino Uno R3.
• Connect the SCL (Serial Clock) pin of the LCD I2C display to the SCL pin (A5)
of the Arduino Uno R3.
• Connect the VCC (Power) pin of the LCD I2C display to the 5V pin of the
Arduino Uno R3.
• Connect the GND (Ground) pin of the LCD I2C display to the GND pin of the
Arduino Uno R3.
Interfacing LCD I2C with Arduino Uno R3

To interface an LCD I2C display with an Arduino Uno R3 board, you can follow these
steps:

2. Install the Required Library:

• Download and install the LiquidCrystal_I2C library for Arduino. This library
provides functions to control the LCD I2C display.

3. Write the Arduino Sketch:

Some of the common commands used to interface with LCD I2C

• lcd.begin(): Initializes the LCD I2C display.

• lcd.backlight(): Turns on the display backlight.
• lcd.noBacklight(): Turns off the display backlight.
• lcd.clear(): Clears the display.
• lcd.home(): Moves the cursor to the top-left corner of the display.
• lcd.setCursor(col, row): Moves the cursor to the specified column and row.
• lcd.print(message): Prints the specified message to the display.
• lcd.write(byte): Writes a single byte to the display.
• lcd.cursor(): Turns on the cursor.
• lcd.noCursor(): Turns off the cursor.
• lcd.blink(): Turns on the cursor blinking.
• lcd.noBlink(): Turns off the cursor blinking.
Sample Code
`LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);`
is used to initialize an I2C-based LCD display using the LiquidCrystal_I2C library in Arduino

Let's break down the different parts of this statement:

1. `LiquidCrystal_I2C`: This is the name of the library or class that provides the functionality to control an
I2C-based LCD display.

2. `lcd`: This is the name of the object or instance of the `LiquidCrystal_I2C` class that you are creating.
You can use this object to interact with the LCD display, such as printing text, clearing the display, and
controlling the cursor.

3. `0x27`: This is the hexadecimal address of the I2C expander chip (e.g., PCF8574) used to interface with
the LCD display. The I2C address can vary depending on the specific LCD module you are using, so you
may need to consult the datasheet or documentation for the correct address.

4. `16`: This is the number of columns (characters per row) on the LCD display. In this case, the LCD has
16 columns.

5. `2`: This is the number of rows on the LCD display. In this case, the LCD has 2 rows.
Sample Code
In this sample example, we:

1. Include the LiquidCrystal_I2C.h library to control the LCD I2C display.

2. Initialize the LCD display with the I2C address 0x27, 16 columns, and 2 rows.

3. In the setup() function:

• Initialize the LCD display using lcd.begin().
• Turn on the backlight using lcd.backlight().
• Print a message on the first line using lcd.print().
• Move the cursor to the second line using lcd.setCursor() and print another message.

4. In the loop() function:

• Clear the display using lcd.clear().
• Print a message and blink the cursor using lcd.print(), lcd.cursor(), and lcd.noCursor().
• Scroll the display to the left and right using lcd.scrollDisplayLeft() and
lcd.scrollDisplayRight().
• Create a custom character and display it on the second line using lcd.createChar() and
lcd.write().
End of Lecture