Description

A display shield for the LoRa1284 module. It includes an 8-pin connector for a colour TFT/IPS display module and 3 pushbuttons.

Colour TFT display modules are commonly available. You can order one (fitted) with the shield or purchase your own elsewhere. The only requirement is that it has an 8-pin header ie. includes chip select (CS) pin.

NOTE: Display sizes of 1.14", 1.44" and 1.54" can be directly mounted on the board. Larger displays will need to be mounted off-board and connected via a suitable cable.

The display interfaces to the LoRa1284 via the SPI port and pins D21, D22 and D23. Analog pin A7 is used to read the pushbuttons. The display backlight can be controlled using PWM pin D3 (via a solder jumper).

A row of header pins either side of the LoRa1284 socket allows easy connection to all LoRa1284 I/O pins.

All of this on a compact board measuring just 65 x 42 mm (2.55" x 1.65").

Why did I make it?

I needed a way to display data in my projects. I could have used an LCD but a TFT display offers so many more options. Not only is it a colour display but you can also use different size fonts, draw graphs and even display images. The pushbuttons are useful for creating a menu system and inputting data.

TFT library

There are a number of Arduino libraries available to control the TFT displays. A search for "TFT" in the Arduino library manager will return quite a few. Make sure it has an 8-pin interface and the pinout matches the shield.

Analog keypad library

There are also a number of libraries available to read the pushbuttons connected to an analog pin. I have developed a simple, easy to use library called SimpleButtons.

Package Contents

Each LoRa1284 TFT shield comes in an anti-static bag that includes:

• 1pcs LoRa1284 TFT shield (and optional TFT display if included)
• 2pcs 1x20-pin female sockets
• 2pcs 1x20-pin male headers
• 3pcs pushbuttons

Assembly Instructions

ALL connectors on the bottom side of the shield PCB need to be installed and soldered first before fitting the TFT module.

Why?

This shield is designed to take a TFT module (a TFT screen already mounted onto a PCB with an 8-pin header for connection). The module is meant to be soldered directly to the shield rather than using a socket. This gives a low profile finish and holds the display firmly in place. Using a socket adds over 8mm to the overall height.

Once fitted the TFT module will block access to the connector pins.

Of course you can use a socket (not supplied) for the TFT module if you prefer.

Install the pushbuttons last.