CIPAD 14: Leçon 14. Les fonctions associées aux écran LCD

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to understanding functions associated with LCD screens in Arduino programming, as explained in the CIPAD course by Daniel Talbot. Learning to utilize these functions will enhance your ability to create interactive projects using LCD displays with Arduino.

Step 1: Understanding LCD Basics

Before diving into the functions, it’s essential to grasp the fundamental components of an LCD screen:

• LCD Components: Understand the basic parts of an LCD, including the display, controller, and interface pins.
• Types of LCDs: Familiarize yourself with different types of LCDs, such as 16x2 and 20x4, which indicate the number of characters they can display.

Practical Advice

• Ensure you have the right model for your project requirements.
• Refer to the datasheet for your specific LCD model to understand its pin configuration.

Step 2: Setting Up the Arduino Environment

To use LCD functions, set up your Arduino environment:

1. Install Arduino IDE: Download and install the latest version from the Arduino website.
2. Library Inclusion: Include the LiquidCrystal library, which provides functions to control the LCD.

Code Snippet

Add the following code at the beginning of your sketch to include the library:

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

3. Initialize the LCD: Create an instance of the LiquidCrystal class with the correct pin numbers.

Code Snippet

Here’s an example initialization:

LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 5, 4, 3, 2);

Step 3: Configuring the LCD in Your Code

Set up the LCD in the setup() function of your Arduino sketch:

1. Begin Communication: Use the begin() method to set the number of columns and rows.

Code Snippet

lcd.begin(16, 2); // for a 16x2 LCD

2. Clear the Display: Optionally, clear the display at the start of your program.

Code Snippet

lcd.clear();

Step 4: Displaying Text and Characters

Learn how to display messages and custom characters on your LCD:

1. Printing Text: Use the print() function to display text on the LCD.

Code Snippet

lcd.print("Hello World!");

2. Positioning Cursor: Use the setCursor(column, row) method to position where the text will appear.

Code Snippet

lcd.setCursor(0, 1); // Set cursor to the first column of the second row
lcd.print("Arduino!");

3. Creating Custom Characters: Utilize the online generator to create custom characters. Save the generated byte array in your code.

Code Snippet

byte customChar[8] = {
  0b00000,
  0b00100,
  0b01110,
  0b11111,
  0b11111,
  0b00100,
  0b00000,
};

lcd.createChar(0, customChar);
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.write(byte(0)); // Display custom character

Step 5: Common Pitfalls

Avoid these common mistakes when working with LCDs:

• Incorrect Wiring: Double-check connections between the LCD and Arduino.
• Library Not Included: Ensure the LiquidCrystal library is included in your project.
• Pin Configuration: Verify that the pins used in your code match your physical connections.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to set up and utilize functions associated with LCD screens in Arduino programming. By understanding the basics, setting up your environment, and effectively using display functions, you can create dynamic projects. As a next step, explore integrating sensors or inputs with your LCD to display real-time data. For further learning, check out related lessons in the CIPAD series or experiment with more complex LCD functionalities.