ALPHANUMERIC or CHARACTER LCD DISPLAY

LIGHT SOURCE to LCD

There are three types of light sources used to provide light to LCD
1. Reflective
Provides a mirror to reflect ambient light to layers and Liquid crystal.

2. Transmissive
A light source such as LED or CCFL are directed to a diffuser to create a uniform pattern
of light to LCD.

3. Trans-reflective
It uses a special sheet between backlight and LCD. This sheet known as trans-reflector is
capable of passing and reflecting light. So, you get the best uniform light to LCD

Alphanumeric or Character Display

The most common types of monochrome LCDs are called character display or alphanumeric
display. Alphanumeric LCD displays are used to display alphabets and numbers. The 16×2
intelligent alphanumeric dot matrix displays are capable of displaying 224 different symbols and
characters. Generally, alphanumeric LCDs are used widely in these applications: cellular phones,
home appliances, meters, word processors, communication, medical instruments, etc. These
displays are widely used due to the following reasons:
 Alphanumeric displays are easier to implement than a graphic unit.
 They are fabricated in standard configurations.
 They have been been accepted as recognized technology for many years.
Hardware designers and engineers favor alphanumeric LCD displays for fast developing
products. These types of devices contain their own controller driver chip with a character map
built into the IC. To integrate the software, the character map makes it easy for the design. When
any designer or engineer wants to display or show a letter, all they need to do is to send a
command requesting the capital. This is much easier than a graphics LCD module wherein each
spot on the letter A needs to be addressed. This is a highly time consuming activity.

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Alphanumeric LCD Display Construction

The most common structure of alphanumeric display is known as a chip on board (COB) where
in the PCB (printed circuit board) is attached to the LCD glass. The name COB means that the
controller driver chip is placed on the back of the PCB. This module handles vibration very well.
And also the increasing holes placed on the PCB permit an easy and secure method to attach the
LCD to the customer’s product.

Display

Reflective twisted nematic liquid crystal display.

1. Polarizing filter film with a vertical axis to polarize light as it enters.

2. Glass substrate with Indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. The shapes of these electrodes
will determine the shapes that will appear when the LCD is turned ON. Vertical ridges
etched on the surface are smooth.
3. Twisted nematic liquid crystal.
4. Glass substrate with common electrode film (ITO) with horizontal ridges to line up with
the horizontal filter.
5. Polarizing filter film with a horizontal axis to block/pass light.
6. Reflective surface to send light back to viewer. (In a backlit LCD, this layer is replaced
with a light source.)

Each pixel of an LCD typically consists of a layer of molecules aligned between two transparent
electrodes, and two polarizing filters which are perpendicular to one another. With no actual
liquid crystal between the polarizing filters, light passing through the first filter would be
blocked by the second (crossed) polarizer. The surfaces of the electrodes in contact with the
liquid crystal material are treated in order to align the crystal molecules in a certain direction.

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In a twisted nematic device (still the most common liquid crystal device), the surface alignment
directions at the two electrodes are perpendicular to each other, and so the molecules arrange
themselves in a twist. When light passes through the liquid crystal molecules the rotation of the
polarization changes slightly and reduces the effect so the light can pass through mostly
unaffected. If a large voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules become almost completely
untwisted. This causes the light to be heavily polarized again effectively making the pixel appear
black. By adjusting the voltage, the polarization can be controlled precisely allowing you to
display a full range of grey-scale

Alphanumeric LCD displays are designed in standard configurations such as LCD display 16×2,
8×1 and 40×4. The identification of alphanumeric displays is broken down into the number of
characters in each row and then the number of rows. The example of this is a 16×2, where there
are 16 characters in each row, and there are two rows of these characters. This enables the
alphanumeric displays to display 32characters at a time.

16×2 Character arrangement

If you look closely at the characters on the LCD, you will notice that they are actually made up
of lots of little squares. These little squares are called pixels. The size of displays is often
represented in pixels. Pixels make up a character space, which is the number of pixels in which a
character can exist.

Here is a capital letter B as created in pixels. The character space in this example is 6 pixels x 8
pixels.

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A character can be any letter: capital or small, any number, and punctuation mark, such as
comma, period and backslash. The character table built into the microcontroller of the LCD
display displays 255 different characters. Furthermore, there are many languages, so you can
select a character table that displays English, German and French or any other language. Most of
the alphanumeric LCD displays cannot display Chinese and Japanese languages without the use
of a larger character size. This means that a 16×2 is built to display English characters, but not
the Chinese; Chinese will require larger than 16×2 display.
Text LCDs display full text strings set in software. Since text characters are defined from the
ASCII standard library, other ASCII standard set characters and glyphs can also be sent to the
text LCD.

Applications of an Alphanumeric LCD Displays

In present days, different types of LCDs are used in a wide range of applications from
calculators, watches, games to medical and industrial applications
Alphanumeric LCD Displays are most commonly used in test and measurement
equipment, process control equipment, handheld devices, PLC’s, data loggers, displays energy
meters, and a host of other applications. Displaying Scrolling Messages on Alpha Numeric
Displays using a PC is one of the most frequently used application of alphanumeric display.

Graphic LCDs
Graphic LCDs use the same kind of technology as text LCDs, but the pixels are in one large grid
instead of being separated into individual characters
Graphic LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays) are pixel-based visual displays that use a grid of
individually controlled pixels to show images, custom text, and complex graphics, unlike simpler
character LCDs. They range from monochrome (single color) to color, with resolutions like
128x64 or 320x240 pixels, and are common in industrial devices, medical equipment, and
consumer electronics due to their low power consumption and versatility.

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128x64 Graphic COG LCD | STN+ Gray with Side White Backlight
Custom Characters
The normal characters in the Text LCD are hard-wired and inaccessible to the user. However,
custom characters can be generated for the PhidgetText LCD. A custom character can be any
arrangement of pixels within the space allotted for a single character. Single characters are made
up of pixels arranged in a grid 5 pixels wide by 8 pixels high. Once generated, custom characters
can be stored in any one of eight volatile memory locations on the PhidgetTextLCD, and can be
recalled with a simple API command from software.
Customized LCD
A custom character can be any arrangement of pixels within the space allotted for a single
character. Single characters are made up of pixels arranged in a grid 5 pixels wide by 8 pixels
high. Once generated, custom characters can be stored in any one of eight volatile memory
locations on the PhidgetTextLCD, and can be recalled with a simple API command from
software.

Customized LCD displays are used to display a combination of numeric, alphanumeric digits,
on/off indicators, messages, graphic icons, symbols, pie charts, bar graphs, etc. The content of
this panel is limited only by the imagination of the product designer.
One of the main advantages of LCDs over other display technologies is the display content can
be modified to satisfy the exact requirements of an application. In this way, the customized LCD
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panels can present particular user interface information that enhances the product value and
performance.

The 16 by 2 LCD display

Introduction
The 16x2 LCD display, also known as the 1602 LCD, is a widely utilized electronic component
in various projects and applications. Its name derives from its ability to display 16 characters per
line across 2 lines, allowing for a total of 32 characters. This makes it an essential tool for
hobbyists, engineers, and anyone involved in electronics.

What is an LCD?
LCD, or Liquid Crystal Display, is a technology that uses liquid crystals to produce images.
Unlike traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, which rely on electron beams, LCDs utilize a
backlight to illuminate pixels arranged in a grid. Each pixel can be manipulated to display
different colors by controlling the liquid crystals' alignment.

Specifications of the 16x2 LCD Display

- Display Type: Alphanumeric character display

- Character Format: 5x8 dots matrix

- Display Size: 16 characters x 2 lines

- Backlight Options: Available in green or blue

- Operating Voltage: 4.7V to 5.3V

- Current Consumption: Approximately 1mA without backlight

- Dimensions: Typically around 80mm x 36mm x 10mm

Pin Configuration
The 16x2 LCD display features a total of 16 pins, each serving a specific function:

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This configuration allows the LCD to interface with microcontrollers like Arduino, making it
suitable for various applications, including digital clocks, temperature displays, and more.

How Does the 16x2 LCD Work?

The operation of the LCD relies on two primary registers:

- Instruction Register (IR): This stores commands that control the display's operation, such as
clearing the screen or setting the cursor position.

- Data Register (DR): This holds the data (ASCII values) that will be displayed on the screen.

When interfacing with a microcontroller, commands and data are sent to these registers, allowing
for dynamic content display.

Interfacing with Arduino

One of the most common uses of the 16x2 LCD is in conjunction with Arduino boards. The
process involves connecting the appropriate pins from the LCD to the Arduino and using
libraries like `LiquidCrystal` to control it. This integration allows users to create interactive
projects where real-time data can be displayed on the screen.

Applications of the 16x2 LCD Display

The versatility of the 16x2 LCD makes it suitable for numerous applications:

- Embedded Systems: Used in projects requiring user interfaces.

- Robotics: Displays sensor data or status messages.

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- DIY Electronics Projects: Ideal for showcasing information in various homemade devices.

- Industrial Automation: Used in control panels and machinery displays.

Consumer Electronics

In consumer electronics, the 16x2 LCD is commonly found in devices such as digital clocks,
calculators, and kitchen appliances. These displays provide essential information clearly and
concisely, enhancing user experience.

Industrial Equipment

In industrial settings, these displays are integrated into measurement instruments and process
control systems. They provide operators with real-time data and feedback essential for
monitoring equipment performance and ensuring operational efficiency.

Educational Use

The simplicity of the 16x2 LCD makes it an excellent tool for educational purposes. It allows
students to learn about electronics and programming by creating projects that involve displaying
information on the screen. This hands-on experience prepares them for careers in technology and
engineering.

Creating Custom Characters

One standout feature of the 16x2 LCD is its ability to create custom characters. This is
particularly useful for displaying symbols not included in standard ASCII.

Steps to Create Custom Characters:

1. Define custom characters using a byte array.

2. Upload these characters to Character Generator RAM (CGRAM).

3. Use their ASCII codes to display them on the screen.

This capability allows users to enhance their projects by incorporating unique icons or symbols
tailored to their specific needs.

Advantages of Using a 16x2 LCD Display

The advantages of using a 16x2 LCD include:

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- Low Power Consumption: Ideal for battery-operated devices due to minimal energy
requirements.

- High Contrast and Readability: Clear visibility even under bright light conditions.

- Compact Size: Fits easily into various electronic devices without taking up much space.

- Cost-effective: Affordable compared to other display technologies.

Disadvantages of Using a 16x2 LCD Display

Despite its advantages, there are some limitations associated with using a 16x2 LCD:

- Limited Display Capacity: Can only show up to 32 characters at once.

- Fixed Character Size: Font size cannot be changed; each character occupies a single cell.

- Viewing Angle Limitations: Readability may decrease when viewed from extreme angles.

16×2 LCD Display Module

Introduction
16×2 LCD is one kind of electronic device used to display the message and data. The term LCD
full form is Liquid Crystal Display. The display is named 16×2 LCD because it has 16 Columns
and 2 Rows. it can be displayed (16×2=32) 32 characters in total and each character will be made
of 5×8 Pixel Dots. These displays are mainly based on multi-segment.

There are a lot of combinations of display available in the market like 8×1, 8×2, 10×2, 16×1, etc.
but the 16×2 LCD is widely used.

16×2 LCD Display Module Pin Diagram

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16×2 LCD Display Module Pin Diagram /Pinout

Pin Pin Name Description

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Number
1 Vss (Ground) VSS pin connected to microcontroller ground

2 Vdd (+5 Volt) VDD pin connected to microcontroller + 5V power supply

Adjusts the contrast of the LCD display. It is Connected to a
3 VE (Contrast V) variable POT that can provide 0-5V power supply. Connect
it to the ground to get maximum contrast.
Toggles between Command/Data Register. Connect a
4 RS (Register Select) microcontroller data pin and obtains either 0 or 1(0 = data
mode, and 1 = command mode).
Used to read or write data. Normally grounded to write data
5 RW (Read/Write)
to LCD
This pin should be held high to execute the Read/Write
6 E (Enable) process, and it is connected to the microcontroller data pin
& constantly held high.
7 D0 (Data Pin 0)
8 D1 (Data Pin 1)
These 8 Pins are used to sending commands or data to the
9 D2 (Data Pin 2)
LCD. These pins are connected in two-wire modes like 4-
10 D3 (Data Pin 3) wire mode and 8-wire mode. In 4-wire mode, only four pins
11 D4 (Data Pin 4) are connected to the microcontroller data pin 0 to 3. And in
8-wire mode, 8-pins are connected to microcontroller data
12 D5 (Data Pin 5)
pin 0 to 7.
13 D6 (Data Pin 6)
14 D7 (Data Pin 7)
This is the positive terminal of the backlight LED of the
15 LED + (+5V)
display. It’s connected to +5V to turn on the backlight LED.
This is the negative terminal of the backlight LED of the
16 LED – (Ground) display. It’s connected to the ground to turn on the backlight
LED.

16×2 LCD Display Module Hardware Overview

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16×2 LCD Display Module row & column
These 16 x 2 LCD display modules are constant of 16 Columns and 2 Rows.
The 1st row of this module has a total of 16 columns 0 to 15 and the position
of the first row is 0. Also, the 2nd row has a total of 16 columns 0 to 15 and
the position of the second row is position is 1. So the total numbers of the
column are 16 x 2 = 32. Its means 16 x 2 LCD module can display 32
characters at the same time.

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Each column will be made of 5×8 Pixel Dots. So every character will be
made of 5×8 = 40 Pixel Dots. It means total display has (32×40) 1280 Pixels.

16×2 LCD Display Module Interface IC HD44780

It will be a very complicated task to handle everything with the help of a

microcontroller. So an Interface IC like HD44780 is used, which is mounted
on the backside of the LCD Module. The function of this IC is to get the
Commands and Data from the microcontroller and process them to display
meaningful information onto the LCD Screen.

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