Understanding a Character LCD Pinout

Character LCD modules are one of the most popular LCD technologies thanks to their ease of programming, low cost, low power consumption, and short lead times. They can be seen in a wide variety of products.

There are three main aspects to programming a character LCD:

• Pinout
• Controller/Driver Chip
• 5×8 character pixel

Pinout:

Most character LCDs are driven by an eight-bit parallel interface which makes use of the standard HD44780 protocol. The display has sixteen pins/connections to drive both the LCD and the optional LED backlight.

Note: Some displays without a backlight only have 14 pins and The order of the pinout may be different for each LCD manufacture.

Here is the pin configuration for a standard 16×2 with a description for each function. Click here for a full data sheet.

Controller/Driver Chip:

Most LCDs contain a controller/driver chip whose whole job is to convert software/commands from the microprocessor to the LCD. They make the job of programming much easier since the chip contains a built-in character table. The table assigns a number between 0 and 255 for every possible letter, number, and punctuation mark.

The programmer simply sends a number, such as 2C, to the chip and the letter ‘M’ appears. 

5×8 pixel characters

A character LCD contains several 5×8 pixel character blocks. Each block has five (5) dots across and eight (8) dots up and down. These dots are turned on and off to generate all possible characters.

The character table built into the controller/driver chip saves the step of having to address each dot to create the letter or number desired.

The most common character configuration is a 16×2 which means there are sixteen 5×8 character pixels across and two rows, for a total of 32 characters.

Benefits of character LCD

Key features of a character LCD include:

• In stock and able to ship same day
• Ability to operate on just four bits when I/O’s are at a premium
• Available in a wide variety of background colors and backlights including:
  • Yellow/Green (most popular)
  • Blue/White
  • Black/White
  • RGB (Red/Green/Blue)
    • Through modulation, RGB can generate any color except black
• Operating voltages of 5V or 3.3V
  • 5V best for colder operating temperatures
  • 3.3 best for battery operation
• Ability to operate down to -30C without a heater
• Lower current draw
  • <1mA without backlight
  • 15mA to 30mA with LED backlight on
• Ability to customize at a low tooling cost
• Easy to add heater or touch panel