This 16 × 2 LCD packs 32 characters into an outline smaller than that of most two-line displays. An LED backlight enables optimal viewing in all lighting conditions. This unit uses the HD44780 interface found on most parallel character displays.
Dimensions (in mm) and pinout for the 16x2 character LCD with backlight
This 16-character, 2-line parallel liquid crystal display achieves a large viewing area in a compact package. It features a yellow-green LED backlight and uses the common HD44780 interface (330k pdf), so sample interface code is widely available for a variety of microcontrollers. This LCD is also available without a backlight.
The DDRAM address 0x00 corresponds to the first character of the top line, address 0x0F corresponds to the last character of the top line, address 0x40 corresponds to the first character of the second line, and address 0x4F corresponds to the last character of the second line.
You can find sample HD44780 LCD interface code written for a variety of AVR microcontrollers as part of the Pololu AVR library.
16x2 black-on-green character LCD with backlight (backlight off)
16x2 black-on-green character LCD with backlight in the dark
| Pin | Symbol | Function |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vss | ground (0 V) |
| 2 | Vdd | 5 V logic supply voltage |
| 3 | Vo | contrast adjustment |
| 4 | RS | H/L register select signal |
| 5 | R/W | H/L read/write signal |
| 6 | E | H/L enable signal |
| 7-14 | DB0 – DB7 | H/L data bus for 4- or 8-bit mode |
| 15 | A (LED+) | backlight anode |
| 16 | K (LED-) | backlight cathode |
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As shown in the diagram above, a potentiometer whose output is connected to Vo will allow you to set the contrast for optimal viewing of your display.
The backlight in this LCD is composed of LEDs in series. The total voltage drop across these LEDs is typically 4.2 V and the recommended current through the LEDs is 120 mA. You should use a current limiting resistor RLIMIT as shown above where:
RLIMIT = (VBACKLIGHT – 4.2V) / 0.12A
In the diagram above, VBACKLIGHT is shown as 5 V, but you are not restricted to 5 V; any voltage above the diode-drop voltage will work as long as you choose the appropriate value for your current-limiting resistor. You can also use a PWM-controlled MOSFET to achieve variable dimming of the backlight if so desired.
Note: No cables or connectors are included with this product, but a 40×2-pin 0.100" male header strip and 20", 16-conductor ribbon cable can be purchased separately. You can break a 7×2 segment from the header strip and solder it to the 14 through-holes on the left side of the LCD PCB; the ribbon cable will then plug into the header pins (leaving two holes empty). The header pins won’t enforce proper orientation of the cable, so you will need to take care to plug it into the correct pins. The 8×2 shrouded box header can be used with this LCD if you use pliers to pull out connector pins 15 and 16, effectively turning it into a 7×2 keyed receptacle for a 16-conductor ribbon cable.
| Size: | 85.0 x 29.5 x 13.5 mm |
|---|---|
| Viewing area: | 64.5 x 16.4 mm |
| Dot size: | 0.56 x 0.61 mm |
| Character size: | 3.00 x 5.23 mm |
| Weight: | 35 g |
| Minimum logic voltage: | 4.5 V |
|---|---|
| Maximum logic voltage: | 5.5 V |
| Typical LED backlight voltage drop: | 4.2 V |
| Typical LED backlight current: | 120 mA |
| Supply current: | 2 mA |
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