Raspberry PiRasp pi Pico

Raspberry Pi PICO LCD | Raspberry Pi PICO I2C LCD | Ras Pi PICO Tutorial

Hi There, I’m back with another important and interesting article on Using raspberry pi pico LCD. Today we’re going to discuss Interfacing I2C 16 × 2 I2C LCD with Pi PICO. LCD is important for displaying information in a visual format for prototyping and also for projects. But you all may be familiar with using the display with Arduino microcontrollers and NodeMCU. But using it with Raspberry Pi PICO and programming in MicroPython seems to be a bit tough but not as much as it seems to be. So, let’s start today’s tutorial.

raspberry pi pico i2c LCD

16x Displays are very common among basic projects and tutorials with Arduino Boards, but due to few examples on other boards and complex programming, it seems to be hard in MicroPython. These 16×2 Displays are usually 13-pin modules that use 4 data pins and 3 other pins to communicate with Microcontroller. But due to a high number of pin usage, it is rather a disadvantage for smaller boards like Arduino.

I2C module is the solution to the consumption of a large number of pins of LCD. This raspberry pi pico LCD is available in the market at a low cost and works on I2C communication (i.e., SCL & SDA), hence saving the number of pins utilized during communication. Also, you can connect various I2C modules at the same time, so it is not a problem in using them. For this purpose, you need to define the I2C port of the PICO as it has two ports 0 & 1. Also, first, check the Address of the display by using the I2C scanner code for Arduino.

The commands for controlling all the functions of the Display is rather similar to that of Arduino and can be learned easily. Power pins of the I2C display must be connected to v input to drive the LCD as a 3.3V level might not work in some cases. So, to be on the safer side, used 5V power for powering the module.

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Qries

Material Required

  • Raspberry Pi PICO
  • 16×2 LCD
  • I2C module for display
  • Breadboard
  • Jumper wires
S.NoComponent RequiredQuantityBuy Link
1.Raspberry PI PICO1Amazon
2.16*2 LCD1Amazon
3I2C Module1Amazon
4.Jumper Wire40Amazon
5.Breadboard1Amazon
6.Power supply1Amazon

raspberry pi pico lcd Circuit Diagram

raspberry pi pico lcd

raspberry pi pico i2c lcd Code & Modules

Raspberry PI PICO16*2 LCD
GPIO 4 ( SDA )SDA Pin
GPIO 5 ( SCL )SCL Pin
+5 VoltVCC
GNDGND

Modules

 import time  
 class LcdApi:  
   LCD_CLR = 0x01       # DB0: clear display  
   LCD_HOME = 0x02       # DB1: return to home position  
   LCD_ENTRY_MODE = 0x04    # DB2: set entry mode  
   LCD_ENTRY_INC = 0x02    # --DB1: increment  
   LCD_ENTRY_SHIFT = 0x01   # --DB0: shift  
   LCD_ON_CTRL = 0x08     # DB3: turn lcd/cursor on  
   LCD_ON_DISPLAY = 0x04    # --DB2: turn display on  
   LCD_ON_CURSOR = 0x02    # --DB1: turn cursor on  
   LCD_ON_BLINK = 0x01     # --DB0: blinking cursor  
   LCD_MOVE = 0x10       # DB4: move cursor/display  
   LCD_MOVE_DISP = 0x08    # --DB3: move display (0-> move cursor)  
   LCD_MOVE_RIGHT = 0x04    # --DB2: move right (0-> left)  
   LCD_FUNCTION = 0x20     # DB5: function set  
   LCD_FUNCTION_8BIT = 0x10  # --DB4: set 8BIT mode (0->4BIT mode)  
   LCD_FUNCTION_2LINES = 0x08 # --DB3: two lines (0->one line)  
   LCD_FUNCTION_10DOTS = 0x04 # --DB2: 5x10 font (0->5x7 font)  
   LCD_FUNCTION_RESET = 0x30  # See "Initializing by Instruction" section  
   LCD_CGRAM = 0x40      # DB6: set CG RAM address  
   LCD_DDRAM = 0x80      # DB7: set DD RAM address  
   LCD_RS_CMD = 0  
   LCD_RS_DATA = 1  
   LCD_RW_WRITE = 0  
   LCD_RW_READ = 1  
   def __init__(self, num_lines, num_columns):  
     self.num_lines = num_lines  
     if self.num_lines > 4:  
       self.num_lines = 4  
     self.num_columns = num_columns  
     if self.num_columns > 40:  
       self.num_columns = 40  
     self.cursor_x = 0  
     self.cursor_y = 0  
     self.implied_newline = False  
     self.backlight = True  
     self.display_off()  
     self.backlight_on()  
     self.clear()  
     self.hal_write_command(self.LCD_ENTRY_MODE | self.LCD_ENTRY_INC)  
     self.hide_cursor()  
     self.display_on()  
   def clear(self):  
     """Clears the LCD display and moves the cursor to the top left  
     corner.  
     """  
     self.hal_write_command(self.LCD_CLR)  
     self.hal_write_command(self.LCD_HOME)  
     self.cursor_x = 0  
     self.cursor_y = 0  
   def show_cursor(self):  
     """Causes the cursor to be made visible."""  
     self.hal_write_command(self.LCD_ON_CTRL | self.LCD_ON_DISPLAY |  
                 self.LCD_ON_CURSOR)  
   def hide_cursor(self):  
     """Causes the cursor to be hidden."""  
     self.hal_write_command(self.LCD_ON_CTRL | self.LCD_ON_DISPLAY)  
   def blink_cursor_on(self):  
     """Turns on the cursor, and makes it blink."""  
     self.hal_write_command(self.LCD_ON_CTRL | self.LCD_ON_DISPLAY |  
                 self.LCD_ON_CURSOR | self.LCD_ON_BLINK)  
   def blink_cursor_off(self):  
     """Turns on the cursor, and makes it no blink (i.e. be solid)."""  
     self.hal_write_command(self.LCD_ON_CTRL | self.LCD_ON_DISPLAY |  
                 self.LCD_ON_CURSOR)  
     hide_cursor()  
   def display_on(self):  
     """Turns on (i.e. unblanks) the LCD."""  
     self.hal_write_command(self.LCD_ON_CTRL | self.LCD_ON_DISPLAY)  
   def display_off(self):  
     """Turns off (i.e. blanks) the LCD."""  
     self.hal_write_command(self.LCD_ON_CTRL)  
   def backlight_on(self):  
     """Turns the backlight on.  
     This isn't really an LCD command, but some modules have backlight  
     controls, so this allows the hal to pass through the command.  
     """  
     self.backlight = True  
     self.hal_backlight_on()  
   def backlight_off(self):  
     """Turns the backlight off.  
     This isn't really an LCD command, but some modules have backlight  
     controls, so this allows the hal to pass through the command.  
     """  
     self.backlight = False  
     self.hal_backlight_off()  
   def move_to(self, cursor_x, cursor_y):  
     """Moves the cursor position to the indicated position. The cursor  
     position is zero based (i.e. cursor_x == 0 indicates first column).  
     """  
     self.cursor_x = cursor_x  
     self.cursor_y = cursor_y  
     addr = cursor_x & 0x3f  
     if cursor_y & 1:  
       addr += 0x40  # Lines 1 & 3 add 0x40  
     if cursor_y & 2:  # Lines 2 & 3 add number of columns  
       addr += self.num_columns  
     self.hal_write_command(self.LCD_DDRAM | addr)  
   def putchar(self, char):  
     """Writes the indicated character to the LCD at the current cursor  
     position, and advances the cursor by one position.  
     """  
     if char == '\n':  
       if self.implied_newline:  
         # self.implied_newline means we advanced due to a wraparound,  
         # so if we get a newline right after that we ignore it.  
         pass  
       else:  
         self.cursor_x = self.num_columns  
     else:  
       self.hal_write_data(ord(char))  
       self.cursor_x += 1  
     if self.cursor_x >= self.num_columns:  
       self.cursor_x = 0  
       self.cursor_y += 1  
       self.implied_newline = (char != '\n')  
     if self.cursor_y >= self.num_lines:  
       self.cursor_y = 0  
     self.move_to(self.cursor_x, self.cursor_y)  
   def putstr(self, string):  
     """Write the indicated string to the LCD at the current cursor  
     position and advances the cursor position appropriately.  
     """  
     for char in string:  
       self.putchar(char)  
   def custom_char(self, location, charmap):  
     """Write a character to one of the 8 CGRAM locations, available  
     as chr(0) through chr(7).  
     """  
     location &= 0x7  
     self.hal_write_command(self.LCD_CGRAM | (location << 3))  
     self.hal_sleep_us(40)  
     for i in range(8):  
       self.hal_write_data(charmap[i])  
       self.hal_sleep_us(40)  
     self.move_to(self.cursor_x, self.cursor_y)  
   def hal_backlight_on(self):  
     """Allows the hal layer to turn the backlight on.  
     If desired, a derived HAL class will implement this function.  
     """  
     pass  
   def hal_backlight_off(self):  
     """Allows the hal layer to turn the backlight off.  
     If desired, a derived HAL class will implement this function.  
     """  
     pass  
   def hal_write_command(self, cmd):  
     """Write a command to the LCD.  
     It is expected that a derived HAL class will implement this  
     function.  
     """  
     raise NotImplementedError  
   def hal_write_data(self, data):  
     """Write data to the LCD.  
     It is expected that a derived HAL class will implement this  
     function.  
     """  
     raise NotImplementedError  
   def hal_sleep_us(self, usecs):  
     """Sleep for some time (given in microseconds)."""  
     time.sleep_us(usecs)  

Copy this code and save this into PICO with name LQ.py. This is the main code for driving LCD.

 from LQ import LcdApi  
 from machine import I2C  
 from time import sleep_ms  
 DEFAULT_I2C_ADDR = 0x27  
 # Defines shifts or masks for the various LCD line attached to the PCF8574  
 MASK_RS = 0x01  
 MASK_RW = 0x02  
 MASK_E = 0x04  
 SHIFT_BACKLIGHT = 3  
 SHIFT_DATA = 4  
 class I2cLcd(LcdApi):  
   """Implements a character based lcd connected via PCF8574 on i2c."""  
   def __init__(self, i2c, i2c_addr, num_lines, num_columns):  
     self.i2c = i2c  
     self.i2c_addr = i2c_addr  
     self.i2c.writeto(self.i2c_addr, bytearray([0]))  
     sleep_ms(20)  # Allow LCD time to powerup  
     # Send reset 3 times  
     self.hal_write_init_nibble(self.LCD_FUNCTION_RESET)  
     sleep_ms(5)  # need to delay at least 4.1 msec  
     self.hal_write_init_nibble(self.LCD_FUNCTION_RESET)  
     sleep_ms(1)  
     self.hal_write_init_nibble(self.LCD_FUNCTION_RESET)  
     sleep_ms(1)  
     # Put LCD into 4 bit mode  
     self.hal_write_init_nibble(self.LCD_FUNCTION)  
     sleep_ms(1)  
     LcdApi.__init__(self, num_lines, num_columns)  
     cmd = self.LCD_FUNCTION  
     if num_lines > 1:  
       cmd |= self.LCD_FUNCTION_2LINES  
     self.hal_write_command(cmd)  
   def hal_write_init_nibble(self, nibble):  
     """Writes an initialization nibble to the LCD.  
     This particular function is only used during intiialization.  
     """  
     byte = ((nibble >> 4) & 0x0f) << SHIFT_DATA  
     self.i2c.writeto(self.i2c_addr, bytearray([byte | MASK_E]))  
     self.i2c.writeto(self.i2c_addr, bytearray([byte]))  
   def hal_backlight_on(self):  
     """Allows the hal layer to turn the backlight on."""  
     self.i2c.writeto(self.i2c_addr, bytearray([1 << SHIFT_BACKLIGHT]))  
   def hal_backlight_off(self):  
     """Allows the hal layer to turn the backlight off."""  
     self.i2c.writeto(self.i2c_addr, bytearray([0]))  
   def hal_write_command(self, cmd):  
     """Writes a command to the LCD.  
     Data is latched on the falling edge of E.  
     """  
     byte = ((self.backlight << SHIFT_BACKLIGHT) | (((cmd >> 4) & 0x0f) << SHIFT_DATA))  
     self.i2c.writeto(self.i2c_addr, bytearray([byte | MASK_E]))  
     self.i2c.writeto(self.i2c_addr, bytearray([byte]))  
     byte = ((self.backlight << SHIFT_BACKLIGHT) | ((cmd & 0x0f) << SHIFT_DATA))  
     self.i2c.writeto(self.i2c_addr, bytearray([byte | MASK_E]))  
     self.i2c.writeto(self.i2c_addr, bytearray([byte]))  
     if cmd <= 3:  
       # The home and clear commands require a worst case delay of 4.1 msec  
       sleep_ms(5)  
   def hal_write_data(self, data):  
     """Write data to the LCD."""  
     byte = (MASK_RS | (self.backlight << SHIFT_BACKLIGHT) | (((data >> 4) & 0x0f) << SHIFT_DATA))  
     self.i2c.writeto(self.i2c_addr, bytearray([byte | MASK_E]))  
     self.i2c.writeto(self.i2c_addr, bytearray([byte]))  
     byte = (MASK_RS | (self.backlight << SHIFT_BACKLIGHT) | ((data & 0x0f) << SHIFT_DATA))  
     self.i2c.writeto(self.i2c_addr, bytearray([byte | MASK_E]))  
     self.i2c.writeto(self.i2c_addr, bytearray([byte]))  

Copy this code and save it onto PICO with the name LQ_i2c.py. This is the driving module for the I2C module on PICO.

This two code will be utilized every time you want to use LCD, so remember to load these two files every time you need to use LCD in your project. Commands for the usage are explained below, do read them carefully. Here the LCD object used to define LCD is LCD so, disregard LCD in the prefix of each command.

  • lcd.clear()  –> To clear the display
  • lcd.show_cursor()  –> To show the cursor at the current position
  • lcd.hide_cursor()  –> To hide the displaying cursor at current position
  • lcd.blink_cursor_on()  –> To make cursor blink at current position
  • lcd.blink_cursor_off()  –> To make the blinking cursor stop blinking
  • lcd.display_on()  –> To turn display on
  • lcd.display_off()  –> To turn display off
  • lcd.backlight_on()  –> To turn backlight on
  • lcd.backlight_off()  –> To turn backlight off
  • lcd.move_to(x,y)  –> To move the cursor to desires position
  • lcd.putstr(“string”)  –> To make the string in inverted commas displayed on string

These are few mostly used commands, so read them carefully.

Code

Here is the test code which display the string entered using keyboard.

 from LQ_i2c import I2cLcd  
 from machine import Pin,I2C  
 from time import sleep  
 i2c = I2C(id=0,scl=Pin(5),sda=Pin(4),freq=100000)  
 lcd = I2cLcd(i2c, 0x3f, 2, 16)  
 for j in range(2):  
   for i in range(10):  
     lcd.clear()  
     lcd.move_to(i,j)  
     lcd.putstr("LCD I2C")  
     sleep(0.25)  
 lcd.clear()  
 for j in range(2):  
   for i in range(16):   
     lcd.move_to(i,j)  
     lcd.putstr("*")  
     sleep(0.1)  
 while True:  
   try:  
     lcd.clear()  
     lcd.move_to(0,0)  
     lcd.putstr("Enter String")  
     lcd.move_to(0,1)  
     lcd.putstr("To Display")  
     sleep(1)  
     a=input("Enter String you want to display : ")  # simple input statement for python to enter via keyboard
     lcd.clear()  
     lcd.putstr(a)  
     sleep(2)  
     lcd.clear()  
   except KeyboardInterrupt :  
     break  

With this, we have completed the I2C LCD Pi PICO tutorial. Have a look at this and if you find any problem let me know below.

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