Interfacing TFT LCD with Arduino

TFT LCD is small color display.

It can show text, images, shapes and sensor values.

Arduino can control this display.

TFT means Thin Film Transistor.

LCD means Liquid Crystal Display.

We can use Interfacing TFT LCD with Arduino for making projects more interactive.

Arduino Coding:

Use Adafruit GFX and Adafruit TFT library.

Install from Arduino IDE Library Manager.

#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_TFTLCD.h>
#include <SPI.h>

#define CS 10
#define DC 9
#define RESET 8

Adafruit_TFTLCD tft(CS, DC, RESET);

void setup() {
  tft.begin();
  tft.fillScreen(0xFFFF);  // White color
  tft.setTextColor(0x0000); // Black text
  tft.setTextSize(2);
  tft.setCursor(20, 30);
  tft.println("Hello TFT");
}

void loop() {
}

Parts List:

TFT LCD has many pins and Important pins are:

Working of TFT LCD with Arduino:

Arduino send data to TFT LCD using SPI communication or parallel pins in some models

Arduino tell screen what to do like show text, draw shape or change color.

CS (chip select) pin choose the TFT screen to talk.

DC (data/command) pin tell if Arduino sending command or display data.

MOSI send the data bits and SCK give clock timing.

RESET restart screen when power is ON.

VCC and GND give power to the screen.

LED pin turn ON the screen backlight.

Arduino send small pixel data very fast.

TFT LCD take this data and show it on the screen.

This way we can show text, numbers, sensor values, graphics, etc.

Steps to Install TFT Library in Arduino IDE:

User just have to put TFT Shield on top of Arduino.

Because TFT Shield fit with Arduino UNO and Arduino Mega.

Then connect the USB cable to Arduino Uno.

Following are the steps to Install TFT Library in Arduino IDE:

• Open Arduino IDE.
• This is Arduino software on computer.
• Go to Library Manager.
• Click Sketch, then Include Library and then Manage Libraries.
• Search TFT library.
• Type “TFT” or “Adafruit TFT” in search box.
• Select and install.
• Click Install on Adafruit GFX Library.
• Click Install on Adafruit ST7735 / ILI9341 / TFTLCD Library.
• Wait few seconds.
• Library will download and install.
• Close Library Manager.
• Go back to Arduino IDE.
• Check example.
• Go File, then Examples and then Adafruit TFT to see sample code.
• Now TFT library ready to use.

Output Connections:

• TFT LCD show message on screen.
• We can change text, color and shape.
• We can display sensor data also.

Additional tips:

• Use 5V power supply for stable screen.
• Check pin connection carefully.
• Use correct library for your TFT model.
• If screen is white only, wiring maybe wrong.

Conclusion:

Interfacing TFT LCD with Arduino works easy.

It make project look nice.

We can show many thing on screen.

TFT and Arduino good for small display project.

References:

Getting Started with the Arduino TFT Screen