LCD Screen with I2C Driver

LCD Screen with I2C Driver

Overview:

Projects with Arduino often begin requiring more pins than the UNO has. This is especially true if you are using an LCD screen that takes up at least 4 or more digital I/O pins. One way to solve this problem is to drive the LCD with I2C. I2C is a way to transport lots of information between two devices over a short distance with only 2 wires.

Visit this link to learn more about I2C. https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/i2cisit

Parts:

1 – Arduino Uno

1 – LCD Screen

1 – LCD1602 I2C module

Assorted Wires

Wiring:

/*

*Install the “LiquidCrystal_I2C” by choosing “Sketch” -> “Include Libraries” -> “Manage Libraries” Then search for “LiquidCrystal_I2C” and select install.*

Installing the library

** Notice, your I2C device has a specific address associated with it. If yours is labelled 0x27, you are fine. If yours is labelled 0x3F, you need to change the 0x27 in “LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27,16,2);” to 0x3F.**

Code:

#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>
LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2); // set the LCD address to 0x27 for a 16 chars and 2 line display

void setup()
{
  lcd.init(); // initialize the lcd
  // Print a message to the LCD.
  lcd.backlight();
  lcd.print("Hello, world!");
}
void loop()
{
}

Useful Library Functions:

• init()

Initializes the display.

• clear()

Clears the screen and puts the cursor at 0,0

• print(value)

Print a value decimal, or string, uses inherited print command so things like print(i, DEC) or print(i, BIN) work

• home()

Home the cursor to 0,0 and leave displayed characters

• setCursor(row,col)

Where Row 0-MAXLINEs, and Col 0-MAXCOLUMNS

• cursor()

Turn the block cursor on

• noCursor()

Turn the block cursor off

• blink()

Turn on the blinking underline cursor

• noBlink()

Turn off the blinking underline cursor

• backlight()

Turns the backlight on

• noBacklight()

Turns the backlight off.