microchip graphics solution

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© 2006 Microchip Technology Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. WebSeminar Title Slide 1

Microchip Graphics Display Solution for Human Interface Applications

Hello, my name is Lee K. Koh and I am the marketing manager at Microchip. This session provides a high level overview of the Microchip Graphics Display Solution for Human Interface Applications. It consists of 18-pages and it is estimated that it will take about 20 minutes.

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After this Session, You’ll Learn…

Benefits of adding graphics to your human interface applications

Design considerations Microchip PIC MCU options for different

graphics subsystems and LCD types Microchip software libraries and tools Microchip development kits Complete graphics building block

By the end of this session, you will learn about:

-The benefits of adding graphics to your human interface applications

-Designer needs when developing graphics human interface applications

-Microchip PIC MCU options for different graphics subsystems and LCD types

-Microchip free licensed software libraries and tools

-Microchip low cost development kits

-Finally, a complete graphics building block offered by Microchip

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Graphical Interface Applicationsare Everywhere..

Aggressive LCD Price DropAggressive LCD Price Drop……

AdoptionAdoption……

Graphic displays are becoming very popular in an increasing range of human interface applications such as navigation displays, point-of-sales, home automations, home appliances, medical and etc. All these are made possible by the significant price erosion in LCD over the last few years. Today, the prices of the LCDs, either the TFT or STN technology, are very affordable.

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How Do Graphics Help You?

Perception of product quality and capability Add values and “cool” factor to products Enrich user experience and add product

interactive

Oven Control

Refrigerator –Water dispenser

Thermostat

Industrial Control

Graphics displays provide several important benefits to the human interface applications. They give end-user perception of product quality and capability. Also, graphics add aesthetically appealing or “cool” factor to the products, and enhances rich user experience and display accurate information with sharper images. Finally, they add interaction to the products such as touch screen, leading to more effective usages in the applications.

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Designer Needs…

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

Touch ScreenTouch ScreenTouch Screen

GUI FeaturesGUI FeaturesGUI Features

Touch SenseTouch SenseTouch Sense

ResourcesResourcesResources

Time to MarketTime to MarketTime to Market

USB, Ethernet,WiFi, etc?

USB, Ethernet,USB, Ethernet,WiFi, WiFi, etcetc??

Power Consumption

Power Power ConsumptionConsumption

Hardware Design

Hardware Hardware DesignDesign

When it comes to graphical interface applications, most designers face several design decisions. The chart here shows the some of the needs before starting a graphical interface design.

First, designers will have to pick the right LCD display. Then, designers will decide what GUI features need to be displayed. The common GUI features in the human interface applications include scroll bar, check box, button, text support, and picture or animation. Designers may also need to decide if the application requires touch screen support. Besides graphics, designers may need to consider if they should add other functions such as touch pad, USB, Ethernet, etc. With Microchip’s available building block solution, designers can now easily integrate graphics into their human interface applications and shorten the overall development time.

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Choosing a Display witha LCD Vendor

LCD SizeLCD SizeLCD Size

CostCostCostColor or

MonochromeColor orColor or

MonochromeMonochrome

Touch ScreenTouch ScreenTouch Screen

LCD ResolutionLCD ResolutionLCD ResolutionStrong Partnershipwith Microchip

Strong PartnershipStrong Partnershipwith Microchipwith Microchip

SupplySupplySupply

LCD InterfaceLCD InterfaceLCD Interface

LCD Panel /Module

LCD Panel /LCD Panel /ModuleModule

LCD Technology

LCD LCD TechnologyTechnology

EmbeddedLCD Life Cycle

EmbeddedEmbeddedLCD Life CycleLCD Life Cycle

Selecting a right LCD display is an important step in the design phase. There are several considerations when choosing the right part with your LCD vendor. For example:

•LCD size, resolution

•Color or monochrome

•LCD technology such as TFT, STN, OLED

•LCD life cycle

•Touch screen

These considerations will determine the cost and display requirement. The selection of LCD display for the design will also affect the graphics hardware subsystem topology. Next, I will walk you through the Microchip’s hardware options that allow designers to have a flexibility in their LCD selection.

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Microchip Graphics Hardware

PIC24FJ256DA210 with integrated Graphics Display Controller and Frame Buffer

New

CompleteIntegrationCompleteCompleteIntegrationIntegration

Graphics HardwareAcceleration EnginesGraphics HardwareGraphics Hardware

Acceleration EnginesAcceleration Engines

TFT, STN, C-STN,OLED LCD PanelsTFT, STN, CTFT, STN, C--STN,STN,OLED LCD PanelsOLED LCD Panels

External FrameBuffer (Optional)External FrameExternal FrameBuffer (Optional)Buffer (Optional)

Resistive andCapacitive Touch

Resistive andResistive andCapacitive TouchCapacitive Touch

USB OTG,Ethernet, etcUSB OTG,USB OTG,

Ethernet, etcEthernet, etc

Microchip offers several hardware topology options. The PIC24FJ256DA210 family, Microchip’s newest 16-bit Graphics PIC MCU, provides a complete hardware design for graphical user interface applications. On the graphics front, the family includes 2D hardware acceleration engines to render graphics images without utilizing the core, and therefore, offloading the MCU for other applications. The family provides direct interface to support TFT, STN, C-STN and OLED LCD panels. Moreover, the family has a built-in 96Kbyte frame buffer. This large frame buffer supports up to 256 colors using the color lookup table in 320x240 (QVGA) resolution without needing an external SRAM. The PIC24FJ256DA210 family also has the option to interface to external RAM to support high color depth and larger resolution.

Besides graphics functions, the PIC24FJ256DA210 family integrates other important features for human interface applications such as resistive and capacitive touch sense, USB OTG, etc.

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Parallel-bus (PMP*) based

(*) Parallel Master Port Interface

dsPIC, PIC24 andPIC32 MCUs

dsPIC, PIC24 anddsPIC, PIC24 andPIC32 MCUsPIC32 MCUs

LCD, OLEDModules

LCD, OLEDLCD, OLEDModulesModules

USB OTG, CANEthernet, etc

USB OTG, CANUSB OTG, CANEthernet, etcEthernet, etc

SmallPackage Size

SmallSmallPackage SizePackage Size

nanoWattXLP

nanoWattnanoWattXLPXLP



The 2nd hardware topology option uses a Microchip’s 16-/32-bit PIC MCU to drive a LCD module directly using the parallel bus interface. This is also a two-component configuration as the LCD module integrates the frame buffer, display controller and LCD panel. With this hardware topology, designers have a choice to choose a broad range of 16-/32-bit PIC MCUs, including the smallest 28-pin package and nanoWatt XLP PIC MCU family. Since the module display come in 2.8” or less, it is a ideal solution for designers interested in small form factor or LCD display design. Besides LCD module, this PIC MCUs also support touch sense, and other peripherals such as USB OTG, CAN and/or Ethernet.

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Parallel-bus (PMP*) based

(*) Parallel Master Port Interface

dsPIC, PIC24 andPIC32 MCUs

dsPIC, PIC24 anddsPIC, PIC24 andPIC32 MCUsPIC32 MCUs

TFT, STN, C-STN,OLED LCD PanelsTFT, STN, CTFT, STN, C--STN,STN,OLED LCD PanelsOLED LCD Panels

USB OTG, CANEthernet, etc

USB OTG, CANUSB OTG, CANEthernet, etcEthernet, etc

External GraphicsController

External GraphicsExternal GraphicsControllerController

SmallPackage Size

SmallSmallPackage SizePackage Size

nanoWattXLP

nanoWattnanoWattXLPXLP



The last hardware topology option Microchip offers is using an external graphic controller to drive the LCD panel. The controller typically has a frame buffer and 2D engines to accelerate and render graphics. Similar to the 2nd hardware topology, designers have a choice to choose a broad range of 16-/32-bit PIC MCUs, including the smallest 28-pin package and nanoWatt XLP PIC MCU family. This hardware option also supports touch sense, and other peripherals such as USB OTG, CAN and/or Ethernet.

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What do I need to start designing?

Select a display

Interface the display to a microcontroller

Develop Software

Now that designers are aware that there are several hardware topology options available offered by Microchip, let’s recap of the major steps that designers need to develop a graphical human interface application.

First, designers will need to select the LCD display with a LCD vendor. Second, designers will need to understand how to connect the display to the microcontroller. Some examples were discussed in the previous slides. Finally, designers will need to design a piece of software that would draw and render the graphical user screens.

Among the 3 steps, designing the software takes majority of the effort, and having a good set of tools, proven library and example codes will help in the development.

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Which Graphics Features?

ChartPicture

Meter

Buttons

List Box

CheckboxScroll Bar

Edit Box

Buttons w/ Image

Before developing a piece of graphics software, designers would need to specify the graphics GUI features of the application. Here are some example features that are often used in graphical interface applications such as picture, button, checkbox, scroll bar, list box and language support.

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Graphics Display Designer

Visual Design Tool for Microchip Graphics Library

Ease the design of static user interface screens

Advanced users can still call Graphics Library APIs directly to create advance screens

Fast, easy, and generate output filesas ‘C’ source code

Besides hardware offering, Microchip also provide a set of software libraries and tools to help designers to shorten the software development cycle. First, Microchip offers the no-fee licensed Graphics Display Designer, which is a visual design tool for designing graphics user interface (GUI). Designers now have the option to develop user interface screens at the application level without coding. This visual design tools works together with Microchip graphics library. Designers still have the option to call APIs from the Graphics Library directly without using the visual design tool. This provides a finer control over the flow and behavior of the application.

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Heat

Microchip Graphics Library

Static TextButton

Image

Key advantages: Works with 16- and 32-bit PIC® MCUs Programmable resolution (320x240, 480x272) Resistive touch screen support Unicode font support Modular design – compile only what you need! Supports multiple user interfaces

Unicode font

Microchip also offers the no-fee licensed graphics library. The chart here shows 2 sample screen shots using the Microchip graphics library. There are features such as image, text, button and language support. More advanced features are also available. The key advantages of this library include the following:

•Compatible with 16- and 32-bit PIC MCUs.

•Works on any resolution and it is programmable

•Supports touch screen

•Supports unicode font which supports multiple fonts/texts

•It is modular – you only use the library that you need

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Other Software Libraries

USB Library Ethernet TCP/IP Stack MDD (FAT) File System mTouch™ Library mTouch™ Diagnostic

Lastly, Microchip also offers other no-fee licensed software libraries to help customers to add other functions such as USB, Ethernet, file system and capacitive touch sense.

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Graphics Development Tools

PIC24FJ256DA210 Development Board

Companion Boards:3.2” 320x240 Color Display Board (AC164127‐4)4.3” 480x272 Color Display Board (AC164127‐6)

PIC24FJ256DA210PIC24FJ256DA210PIC24FJ256DA210Prototyping

AreaPrototypingPrototyping

AreaArea

CapacitiveTouch PadsCapacitiveCapacitive

Touch PadsTouch Pads

PICtail Plus ExpansionConnector: RF, IR,

Ethernet...etc.

PICtail Plus ExpansionPICtail Plus ExpansionConnector: RF, IR, Connector: RF, IR,

Ethernet...etc. Ethernet...etc.

USBConnector

USBUSBConnectorConnector

DebugConnectors

DebugDebugConnectorsConnectors

Display BoardConnector

Display BoardDisplay BoardConnectorConnector

SPI/Parallel FlashSPI/Parallel FlashSPI/Parallel Flash

SRAM (Optional)SRAM (Optional)SRAM (Optional)

To provide customers with a development environment, Microchip offers a cost effective set of tools for developing graphical interface applications. What we have here is the development board for PIC24FJ256DA210 family – the integrated PIC MCU with integrated Graphics.

This is a 2-board configuration – the PIC24FJ256DA210 MCU board and the display LCD board. The PIC24FJ256DA210 MCU board features the following:

•A PIC24FJ256DA210 PIC MCU

•Capacitive touch pads

•Interfaces to USB OTG and RS-232

•Interfaces to a variety expansion boards

•Bread board prototyping area

•Debug interfaces to MPLAB LCD, MPLAB Real ICE and PICkit-3

•Full documentation CD includes user’s guide, schematics and PCB layout

The display LCD board can be a 3.2” QVGA or 4.3” WQVGA TFT panel with resistive touch screen.

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Graphics Development ToolsGraphics PICtail™ Plus Daughter Board

with 3.2” Display Kit (AC164127-3)

Companion Boards:Explorer‐16 Dev Board (DM240001)PIC32 Starter Kit (DM320001 or DM320003)

PIC32 Main Board Connector

PIC32 Main Board PIC32 Main Board ConnectorConnector

PIC24 Main Board Connector

PIC24 Main Board PIC24 Main Board ConnectorConnector

SSD1926 Graphics Controller

SSD1926 Graphics SSD1926 Graphics ControllerController

SD CardSD CardSD Card

3.2” QVGATFT LCD

3.23.2”” QVGAQVGATFT LCDTFT LCD

For customers not choosing the PIC24FJ256DA210 family for graphics design, Microchip also offers a graphics development board for 16-/32-bit PIC and dsPIC MCUs.

This Graphics PICtail Plus Daughter Board with 3.2” Display Kit is a 3-board configuration – the controller board, the display board and the MCU main board. On the controller board, it has a Solomon-Systech SSD1926 graphics controller, a SD card connector and 16Mb of Flash. The display board is the 3.2” QVGA TFT panel with resistive touch. Designers may also choose to customize the display glass by replacing one of their own. Depending on the PIC MCU customers select, the kit will need interface to a 16-bit or 32-bit MCU main-board.

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Complete Graphics Building Block

Hardware MCU

MicrochipGraphicsLibrary

API

3rd PartyLibraries

API

Users Application Code

• PIC24FJ256DA210• Broad 16-/32-bit PIC MCUs• Small pin package• nanoWatt XLP

•• PIC24FJ256DA210PIC24FJ256DA210•• Broad 16Broad 16--/32/32--bit PIC MCUsbit PIC MCUs•• Small pin packageSmall pin package•• nanoWatt XLPnanoWatt XLP

• Royalty free, no fee libraries• Multi-language, buttons,

checkboxes, images, etc• Touch-screen support• Source code

•• Royalty free, no fee librariesRoyalty free, no fee libraries•• MultiMulti--language, buttons,language, buttons,

checkboxes, images, checkboxes, images, etcetc•• TouchTouch--screen supportscreen support•• Source codeSource code

• Free Visual Design Tool• Generate C code•• Free Visual Design ToolFree Visual Design Tool•• Generate C codeGenerate C code

• Development Kits• Full documentation• Reference Schematics

•• Development KitsDevelopment Kits•• Full documentationFull documentation•• Reference SchematicsReference Schematics

Documentation, Appnotes, and more…www.microchip.com/graphics

API

MicrochipUSB, TouchLibraries

To sum it up, Microchip offers a complete building block to helping designers to design graphical user interface applications. I would like to walk you through again on how Microchip achieves this.

Microchip’s broad selection of PIC MCUs support a various graphics subsystem topologies and LCD types, including the newly introduced PIC24FJ256DA210 family, 16-/32-bit PIC MCUs with small pin package, and nanoWatt XLP technology. On the software library, Microchip offers the proven, no-fee Graphics Library and other software to help shorten the software development cycle. The graphics library supports a variety of graphics objects such as buttons, text, animations, checkboxes, etc. Microchip’s libraries also provide an API layer to interface to the users application code easily. On the application side, Microchip offers a free visual design tool or known as the Graphics Display Designer to help designers to draw static user interface screens. Finally, Microchip offers the low cost development kits, reference schematics and full

documentation to help designers to kick-start and debug the designs. This complete building block allows designers to design their graphical interface application with confidence, and meet their time-to-market window with efficient use of resources.

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Thank you

microchip graphics solution

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