Crystalfontz FTDI EVE2 ESP32 System-on-chip Examples

This is a collection of modified FTDI/Bridgetek EVE Examples for use with Crystalfontz EVE2 accelerated display modules and a Espressif ESP32 SoC.

Information on the Crystalfontz CFAF800480E0-050SC-A1-1 display may be found here. The Crystalfontz CFA10098 breakout board may be found here.

More EVE examples are available on the FTDI website, but those not listed here are not compatible with the EVE2 (FT91x) or were not programmed to run correctly on a display of this size (800x480 pixels).

Getting Started

Our testing was performed using a NodeMCU ESP-32s development board. If you are using a different development board, the pinout may be different, so be sure to double check the connections are correct.

Connections required are as follows:

• Crystalfontz EVE2 accelerated display -> CFA10098 (using an appropriate flat-flex cable)
• CFA10098 3.3v -> 3.3v power supply (independent 3.3v 1A supply, NOT the ESP32 3.3v!)
• CFA10098 GND -> 3.3v power supply ground (as above)
• CFA10098 SCK -> NodeMCU-ESP32s pin P18
• CFA10098 MOSI -> NodeMCU-ESP32s pin P23
• CFA10098 MISO -> NodeMCU-ESP32s pin P19
• CFA10098 CS -> NodeMCU-ESP32s pin P5
• CFA10098 INT -> NodeMCU-ESP32s pin P4
• CFA10098 PD -> NodeMCU-ESP32s pin P0
• CFA10098 GND -> NodeMCU-ESP32s GND

To run the examples that use a microSD card, see the microSD Card Reader section below.

Running an Example

• Download the examples from here to your PC
• Connect the Crystalfontz EVE2 accelerated display, CFA10098 breakout board, and ESP32 as above.
• Power on the LCD module with a 3.3v supply first
• Connect the ESP32 to your PC with a USB cable
• Run the Arduino software, and set the board (under the Tools menu) to match the ESP32 board you are using.
  • If no ESP32 boards are listed, youll need to add "https://dl.espressif.com/dl/package_esp32_index.json" in the Arduino IDE preferences window, in the "Additional board manager URLs". Then open the Boards Manager (under Tools menu, boards), search for ESP32 and add the ESP32 libraries/tools.
• In the Arduino IDE Load one of the project INO files.
• Copy the files from the associated sd_contents directory (if it exists, otherwise this step is not required) to a microSD card, and insert it into the microSD card reader attached to the ESP32.
• Compile and upload the firmware to the ESP32

On completion of uploading complied firmware, the display should light, show a touch-screen calibration screen, and then proceed to the example.

microSD Card Reader Connection

Some of of the examples use data stored on a microSD card. If your ESP32 board does not have a microSD card slot, you'll need to connect one. The easiest way of doing so is by using a 3.3 volt microSD breakout board (make sure it does not have 5v level-shifters) connected to the ESP32 using jumper wires. An example microSD breakout board can be found here.

Connection is as follows:

• microSD 3.3V -> NodeMCU-ESP32s 3.3V
• microSD GND -> NodeMCU-ESP32s GND
• microSD SCLK -> NodeMCU-ESP32s pin P18
• microSD MISO -> NodeMCU-ESP32s pin P19
• microSD MOSI -> NodeMCU-ESP32s pin P23
• microSD CS/SS -> NodeMCU-ESP32s pin P15

Further Information

For further information see:

• Crystalfontz CFAF800480E0-050SC-A1-1 product page
• Crystalfontz CFA10098 product page
• Crystalfontz Technical Forum
• FTDI / Bridgetek EVE Example Projects