This is a Modtronix Serial LCD Character Display Module with a high speed SPI/I2C serial bus. The LCD display is a 4x20 character STN yellow/green display with a yellow/green LED backlight, and is RoHS compliant. For convenience the I2C and SPI signals are available via a Micro Match type connector, and a standard 2.54mm, 2x5 row pin header.

A 2-way DIP switch is used to configure the unit for SPI or I2C operation (3 different addresses). The SPI mode is very simple, and enables the user to control the display via a very simple software routine. For more complex configurations, and multiple displays, the I2C bus can be used. The contrast and backlight are software controlled, and can be set to 254 levels. A keypad with up to 16 buttons (4 rows by 4 columns) can be added to the display via a standard 10 pin, 2.54mm header. When using the I2C serial bus, an interrupt line will be activated when a key is pressed, informing the user that there is key data to be read. Alternatively the LCD can be polled to see if it has any pending keypad data.

The displays has 5 user configurable, general purpose inputs/outputs. Two of them can deliver up to 1000mA each, and have protection circuitry for driving relays.

Download the datasheets below for further details on this product, and list of all commands.

Additional photos - click on image to enlarge!
View from the back	View from the side

• Can be controlled via a high speed SPI or I2C bus. Both busses can operate at speeds close to 1Mbits/sec!
• Large number of LCD commands for moving cursor, moving display and more
• Up to 8 custom characters can be defined, a utility for creating custom characters is available here
• Commands for drawing Bar Graphs
• Commands for writing large characters spanning 2 columns and 3 rows
• LCD Backlighting controlled via software, has 254 brightness levels
• LCD Contrast controlled via software, has 254 contrast levels
• User configurable start up screen
• 80 Byte buffer for messages received via serial interface
• Two high current, open collector outputs with output currents up to 1000mA each, and relay protection circuitry
• 3 general purpose input/output pins
• Keypad encoder for a keypad up to 16 keys (4 rows by 4 columns)
• 6 Pin Micro Match connector with I2C, SPI and power signals
• Standard 10 Pin (1x10), 2.54mm connector for connecting a keypad of up to 4 rows by 4 columns
• Standard 10 Pin (5x2), 2.54mm connector with user outputs, I2C, SPI and power signals
• DIP switch for setting serial mode and I2C address
• Low current consumption - without LCD backlight is about 4mA
• High quality machine assembly, with brand name, quality components:
  • All electrolytic capacitors used are extra long life Panasonic brand, which is 5 times more than standard!
  • PCB is Gold plated for best contact and no corrosion
  • All pin headers are gold plated for best possible contact
  • Lead free, RoHS compliant assembly

• Number of Characters: 20 characters x 4 Lines
• Character Table: English-European (RS in Datasheet)
• Module dimension: 98.0mm x 60.0mm
• View area: 77.0 x 25.2 mm
• Active area: 70.4 x 20.8 mm
• Dot size: 0.55 x 0.55 mm
• Dot pitch: 0.60 x 0.60 mm
• Character size: 2.96 x 4.75 mm
• Character pitch: 3.55 x 5.35 mm
• LCD type: STN, Positive, Transflective, Yellow/Green
• View direction: Wide viewing angle
• Backlight Type: yellow/green LED
• RoHS Compliant: lead free
• Operating Temperature: -20�C to + 70�C

Documentation, Notes and Source Code: Web PDF LCD I2C/SPI Daughter Board Manual for firmware V1.2 Board LCD Character Module Datasheet SPI and I2C Examples, Source Code and user forum Web based utility for creating custom characters