Graphics LCD Interface

[m1geo]

Hi. I'm building a controller based around this code with a 192x64 KS0108 Graphics LCD and the openGLCD library. There doesn't seem to be any support for graphics LCDs? Given the relative cheapness of such a display, it would make an interesting addition. Happy to send you my modifications once they're done. I have the basic display drawing routines in place, just need to interface to this project now!

George M1GEO

[k3ng]

Hi George. This sounds interesting. Yes, please send code when you have something you'd like to share. Thanks and 73! Goody K3NG

[va3ncd]

From what I know, all KS0108 come as parallel interface only, unless one will add an external converter, but that adds the complication/hassle.
I've been working, time provided, on a similar little project, using the 128x64 KS0108 based display,
and the U8glib (U8glib-1.19.1, available here: https://github.com/olikraus/U8glib_Arduino), however since this particular display can only be interfaced as parallel, it requires significant number of lines the classic Arduino doesn't have enough to support both the display and the actual app's functionality,
so I picked up the Arduino Mega 2560, which has plenty additional lines pulled to an extra header.
In the originally proposed pin configuration, the U8glib conflicts (naturally...) with what the rotator project uses, so I moved them over to the extra pins the 2560 has, and in such order I could (eventually...) connect the display with a flat ribbon cable, which looks neater and is less messy than separate wires.
Like this:
U8GLIB_KS0108_128 u8g(38, 36, 34, 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 40, 22, 46, 44, 42);
while the original config was this:
// 8Bit Com: D0..D7: 8,9,10,11,4,5,6,7 en=18, cs1=14, cs2=15,di=17,rw=16
I've put together my own simple code that works ok, but is far less powerful than this project here,
and I also have tried to figure how to port that display's support into this project, but it would likely require rewriting the library around the definitions and formats used in here, or writing an extra translation, as the graphics display has its own ways taking the text, along with setting the font size and face, and that stuff. It would be quite a bit of work to accomplish this, in other words.

[va3ncd]

p.s. on a side note, with my previous rotator, G-1000, I was using the Yaesu' output pin 6 as a reference voltage for the Arduino's A/D. I find that more stable and allowing for more accuracy than relying on the Arduino own onboard 5V. I've recently upgraded to G-2800, and to my surprise, they've dropped that (pin6 ref voltage feature...) in this model. So I had to switch to the Arduino's own ref, but I find the redout fluctuate a bit, if I don't use external power but just power off the USB.