Guide Make your own USB LCD controller!

WOOT,

i have just got the LCD running under the x64 version of Windows Vista.

i used the .inf file from here. http://www.obddiag.net/drivers.html

Running LCD smartie as we speak.

Scorpia

 

Fantastic guide. I'll probably make my one up in the next week or 2 (basicly when I get enough time off of work!).

I also have a full PCB etching kit. and can make up the PCB board's and post them out to people if anyone needs them. I can also make up boards for all circuits (I'm currently designing some for guitar effects pedals). If anyone wants any just send me a PM.

BTW, thanks for the guide!

 

Has anyone got a good way of adding the ICSP port to this? Would love to incorporate this as well, especialy since I would probably do SMT next.

 

Just add a pin to pin 27 & 28 (PGC & PGD), one to ground and one to /MCLR. Recommended is to then to use a 10k resistor between the PIC-connections and other circuitry (LCD/RS and Q1), but mine works fine without that. I don't have Q1 mounted though, but the only thing I think can happen is that the BL is blinking while programming. Depends a bit on the programmer though.

 

my Programmer.

Schematic

 

nhenhophach

i have a few questions.

1. does the PC detect the PIC when plugged into the USB?
if so can you send it commands?

2. If not did the pic program correctly? maybe the fuse bits are wrong. using that programmer they will need to be different to what Ch424 has listed.

3. I notice thats not the original board layout. although i couldnt see any issues with it have you tried Ch424's board?

4. did you use the original firmware?

Ok lets start with that and see how we go. I dont think anyone has failed to get one of these going yet after a bit of muching around. so we should be able to get it to work.

Scorpia

EDIT: looking at the LCD display it seems like it has recieved power but hasnt been sent any commands ( the black boxes.) and the contrast is ok. although it looks like the LCD has had the backlight turned on. i dont remember if the pic turns the backlight on or off when it starts.

 

The PIC turns the backlight on once it thinks the LCD is responding properly. I'm at a bit of a loss to why it doesn't work. Apparently the computer does recognise the device fine. I don't think he has the fuse bits working yet, that could well be causing these problems...

Thanks for the x64 driver Scorpia, brilliant find!

ch424

 

To Scrorpia
1. When i plugin PC detected as CDC RS-232 Emulation Demo and install driver OK.
2. Program PIC got error at 99%, verify error at 98%
3. That is Ch424's board. Just resize. Look rear under the light.

4. I used original firmware

OR i unlucky got a dead or Error PIC?
Thank you very much.

 

my guess is the errors are your problem, you need to get it to not error on verify.
maybe try another pic if you have one.
otherwise try an erase and reprogram.

Also maybe hook up a button to the rotary encoder section , use the 2 outside pins, with the resistors it should allow the pic to send a b character to the pc if your using hyperterminal



Scorpia

 

i am trying to find Schematic to make another programmer
Thanks Scorpia
Thanks to Ch424

 

Yes if the programmer can't verify the Pic something must be wrong.
But - the fuses are really important! I've struggled with som ICSP today with my board, and found some variations. One time the device is unknown, next it isn't seen at all, next it seems to work but LCDSmartie complains. Finally I got everything right though

 

Your programmer is the problem (though I'd like to see some more decoupling nearer the PIC). It's a low voltage programmer, thus you lose the PGM pin. Because it's floating/tied to logic the PIC won't run (the pin was probably high long enough for the PC to detect a USB device - alternatively, the PIC is running fine, but no LCD due to the missing data pin (PGM)). You need a high voltage programmer to use the schematic as you have it.

 

Have played around with the source a little and achived two goals:

1 - I have connected a dual color led (red/green) to RA0 and RA1. I've changed the code so that the red led is on as soon as possible after power up, then when LCD is set up the red led is shut off and the green is turned on instead.
Gives a nice effect with a second of red at power on.

2 - I also wanted a greeting on the LCD. I fixed the code for this, after the LCD is set up it displays 'Welcome!'. Looks really nice too.

Is this something to add to the hex? I share the source if you want.

 

yes i would love the modified code, i have allways wanted a welcome message so this would be great, PM if ya want.

thanks

Scorpia

 

Hi guys!

I have Finished the board.
All GPOs and PIC are SMD package. Resistors,caps, pots, and Xtal are regular package.

Included ICSP connector for reprograming the pic.

Some pics:















regards.

 

Wow simon_stz, that's a beauty! Nice work!

Scorpia - I'll send you a PM with my user.c. A little low on comments but I think it's easy to figure out what I've done.

 

Very nice work Simon_stz!!
Could/would you post the schematics? Thanks.

 

Sure.

Here it is:


schematic:


board:


Part list:

Code:

Part      Value           Device          Package     
                                                      
C1        22p             C-EU050-024X044 C050-024X044
C2        22p             C-EU050-024X044 C050-024X044
C3        100n            C-EU050-025X075 C050-025X075
CONTRASTE 10k             TRIM_EU-PT10    PT-10       
CUSB      470n            C-EU050-025X075 C050-025X075
D+                        PINHD-1X1       1X01        
D-                        PINHD-1X1       1X01        
IC1       PIC18F4550_TQFP PIC18F4550_TQFP TQFP44      
ICSP                      PINHD-1X5       1X05        
JP2                       PINHD-1X2       1X02        
LCD                       PINHD-1X16      1X16        
LCD_OFF                   PINHD-1X2       1X02        
LED       100             TRIM_EU-PT10    PT-10       
LED1                      LEDCHIP-LED0603 CHIP-LED0603
LED2                      LEDCHIP-LED0603 CHIP-LED0603
LED3                      LEDCHIP-LED0603 CHIP-LED0603
LED4                      LEDCHIP-LED0603 CHIP-LED0603
LED5                      LEDCHIP-LED0603 CHIP-LED0603
LED6                      LEDCHIP-LED0603 CHIP-LED0603
Q1        4Mhz            CRYSTALHC49S    HC49/S      
R1        180             R-EU_0207/10    0207/10     
R2        180             R-EU_0207/10    0207/10     
R3        180             R-EU_0207/10    0207/10     
R4        180             R-EU_0207/10    0207/10     
R5        180             R-EU_0207/10    0207/10     
R6        180             R-EU_0207/10    0207/10     
RESET     10k             R-EU_0207/10    0207/10     
RLIMIT    25              R-EU_0207/10    0207/10     
VDD                       PINHD-1X1       1X01        
VSS                       PINHD-1X1       1X01        
X1        USB-B-H         USB-B-H         USB-B-H     
                                                      

 

Here's my half populated PCB version
Just the display, no buttons. Backlight turns off after inactivity. Contrast/Brightness hardware and software control, external power

 

Hey guys thats some really awesome work you've done

I have actually been working on a similar project based around the PIC 18F4550 for the past couple of years (and will probabily be working on it for a couple more years to come!!), however i was wondering what sucess people have had with it and 64-Bit windows Vista, and if there are any drivers out there for it?