Introduction to 16 x 2 LCD Display Module

What is LCD and 16 x 2 LCD Module ?

The term LCD stands for liquid crystal display. It is one kind of electronic display module used in an extensive range of applications like various circuits & devices like mobile phones, calculators, computers, TV sets, etc. These displays are mainly preferred for multi-segment light-emitting diodes and seven segments. The main benefits of using this module are inexpensive; simply programmable, animations, and there are no limitations for displaying custom characters, special and even animations, etc.

The 16×2 translates o a display 16 characters per line in 2 such lines. In this LCD each character is displayed in a 5×7 pixel matrix.

Features of 16×2 LCD module :

• Operating Voltage is 4.7V to 5.3V.

• Current consumption is 1mA without backlight.

• Alphanumeric LCD display module, meaning can display alphabets and numbers.

• Consists of two rows and each row can print 16 characters.

• Each character is build by a 5×8 pixel box.

• Can work on both 8-bit and 4-bit mode.

• It can also display any custom generated characters.

• Available in Green and Blue Backlight.

Pin Configuration :

Pin No:	Pin Name:	Description
1	Vss	Ground pin connected to system ground
2	Vcc	Powers the LCD with +5V (4.7V – 5.3V)
3	VE	Decides the contrast level of display i.e. dimming the brightness or increasing the brightness of LCD. Grounded to get maximum contrast.
4	RS	There are two very important registers inside the LCD. The RS pin is used for the selection of these registers. If RS = 0, the instruction command code register is selected, which allows the user to send commands for the LCD such as clear display, cursor at home, and so on. If RS = 1, the data register is selected. It allows the user to send data that is to be displayed on the LCD.
5	R/W	This pin toggles the display among the read or writes operation, and it is connected to a microcontroller unit pin to get either 0 or 1 (0 = Write Operation, and 1 = Read Operation).
6	E	Sends data to data pins when a high to low pulse is given; Extra voltage push is required to execute the instruction and EN(enable) signal is used for this purpose. This pin should be held high to execute Read/Write process, and it is connected to the microcontroller unit & constantly held high.
7	D0	Data pins 0 to 7 forms a 8-bit data line. They can be connected to Microcontroller to send 8-bit data. These LCD’s can also operate on 4-bit mode in such case Data pin 4,5,6 and 7 will be left free.
8	D1
9	D2
10	D3
11	D4
12	D5
13	D6
14	D7
15	A	Backlight LED pin positive terminal
16	K	Backlight LED pin negative terminal

 

 

LCD Commands :

Sr.No.	Hex Code	Command to LCD instruction Register
1	01	Clear display screen
2	02	Return home
3	04	Decrement cursor (shift cursor to left)
4	06	Increment cursor (shift cursor to right)
5	05	Shift display right
6	07	Shift display left
7	08	Display off, cursor off
8	0A	Display off, cursor on
9	0C	Display on, cursor off
10	0E	Display on, cursor blinking
11	0F	Display on, cursor blinking
12	10	Shift cursor position to left
13	14	Shift cursor position to right
14	18	Shift the entire display to the left
15	1C	Shift the entire display to the right
16	80	Force cursor to beginning ( 1st line)
17	C0	Force cursor to beginning ( 2nd line)
18	38	2 lines and 5×7 matrix

 

COMPONENT DATASHEET

   16 x 2 LCD Datasheet