Lcd Library

The mikroBasic PRO for 8051 provides a library for communication with Lcds (with HD44780 compliant controllers) through the 4-bit interface. An example of Lcd connections is given on the schematic at the bottom of this page.

For creating a set of custom Lcd characters use Lcd Custom Character Tool.

External dependencies of Lcd Library

The following variables must be defined in all projects using Lcd Library : Description : Example :
dim LCD_RS as sbit bdata sfr external Register Select line. dim LCD_RS as sbit at P2_0_bit
dim LCD_EN as sbit bdata sfr external Enable line. dim LCD_EN as sbit at P2_1_bit
dim LCD_D7 as sbit bdata sfr external Data 7 line. dim LCD_D7 as sbit at P2_5_bit
dim LCD_D6 as sbit bdata sfr external Data 6 line. dim LCD_D6 as sbit at P2_4_bit
dim LCD_D5 as sbit bdata sfr external Data 5 line. dim LCD_D5 as sbit at P2_3_bit
dim LCD_D4 as sbit bdata sfr external Data 4 line. dim LCD_D4 as sbit at P2_2_bit

Library Routines

Lcd_Init

Prototype

sub procedure Lcd_Init()

Returns

Nothing.

Description

Initializes Lcd module.

Requires

Global variables:

  • LCD_D7: data bit 7
  • LCD_D6: data bit 6
  • LCD_D5: data bit 5
  • LCD_D4: data bit 4
  • RS: register select (data/instruction) signal pin
  • EN: enable signal pin
must be defined before using this function.

Example
' lcd pinout settings

dim
LCD_RS as sbit at P2_0_bit
LCD_EN as sbit at P2_1_bit
LCD_D7 as sbit at P2_5_bit
LCD_D6 as sbit at P2_4_bit
LCD_D5 as sbit at P2_3_bit
LCD_D4 as sbit at P2_2_bit

...
Lcd_Init()

Lcd_Out

Prototype

sub procedure Lcd_Out(dim row as byte, dim column as byte, dim byref text as string[20])

Returns

Nothing.

Description

Prints text on Lcd starting from specified position. Both string variables and literals can be passed as a text.

Parameters :

  • row: starting position row number
  • column: starting position column number
  • text: text to be written

Requires

The Lcd module needs to be initialized. See Lcd_Init routine.

Example
' Write text "Hello!" on Lcd starting from row 1, column 3:
Lcd_Out(1, 3, "Hello!")

Lcd_Out_CP

Prototype

sub procedure Lcd_Out_Cp(dim byref text as string[19])

Returns

Nothing.

Description

Prints text on Lcd at current cursor position. Both string variables and literals can be passed as a text.

Parameters :

  • text: text to be writtn

Requires

The Lcd module needs to be initialized. See Lcd_Init routine.

Example
' Write text "Here!" at current cursor position:
Lcd_Out_Cp("Here!")

Lcd_Chr

Prototype

sub procedure Lcd_Chr(dim row as byte, dim column as byte, dim out_char as byte)

Returns

Nothing.

Description

Prints character on Lcd at specified position. Both variables and literals can be passed as a character.

Parameters :

  • row: writing position row number
  • column: writing position column number
  • out_char: character to be written

Requires

The Lcd module needs to be initialized. See Lcd_Init routine.

Example
' Write character "i" at row 2, column 3:
Lcd_Chr(2, 3, 'i')

Lcd_Chr_CP

Prototype

sub procedure Lcd_Chr_Cp(dim out_char as byte)

Returns

Nothing.

Description

Prints character on Lcd at current cursor position. Both variables and literals can be passed as a character.

Parameters :

  • out_char: character to be written

Requires

The Lcd module needs to be initialized. See Lcd_Init routine.

Example
' Write character "e" at current cursor position:
Lcd_Chr_Cp('e')

Lcd_Cmd


Prototype

sub procedure Lcd_Cmd(dim out_char as byte)

Returns

Nothing.

Description

Sends command to Lcd.

Parameters :

  • out_char: command to be sent

Note: Predefined constants can be passed to the function, see Available Lcd Commands.

Requires

The Lcd module needs to be initialized. See Lcd_Init table.

Example
' Clear Lcd display:
Lcd_Cmd(_LCD_CLEAR)

Available Lcd Commands

Lcd Command Purpose
_LCD_FIRST_ROW Move cursor to the 1st row
_LCD_SECOND_ROW Move cursor to the 2nd row
_LCD_THIRD_ROW Move cursor to the 3rd row
_LCD_FOURTH_ROW Move cursor to the 4th row
_LCD_CLEAR Clear display
_LCD_RETURN_HOME Return cursor to home position, returns a shifted display to its original position. Display data RAM is unaffected.
_LCD_CURSOR_OFF Turn off cursor
_LCD_UNDERLINE_ON Underline cursor on
_LCD_BLINK_CURSOR_ON Blink cursor on
_LCD_MOVE_CURSOR_LEFT Move cursor left without changing display data RAM
_LCD_MOVE_CURSOR_RIGHT Move cursor right without changing display data RAM
_LCD_TURN_ON Turn Lcd display on
_LCD_TURN_OFF Turn Lcd display off
_LCD_SHIFT_LEFT Shift display left without changing display data RAM
_LCD_SHIFT_RIGHT Shift display right without chnging display data RAM

Library Example

The following code demonstrates usage of the Lcd Library routines:

program  Lcd_Test

' LCD module connections
dim LCD_RS as sbit at P2_0_bit
dim LCD_EN as sbit at P2_1_bit

dim LCD_D4 as sbit at P2_2_bit
dim LCD_D5 as sbit at P2_3_bit
dim LCD_D6 as sbit at P2_4_bit
dim LCD_D7 as sbit at P2_5_bit
' End LCD module connections

dim txt1 as char[16]
    txt2 as char[9]
    txt3 as char[8]
    txt4 as char[7]
    i    as byte                    ' Loop variable

sub procedure Move_Delay()          ' Function used for text moving
  Delay_ms(500)                     ' You can change the moving speed here
end sub

main:
  txt1 = "mikroElektronika"
  txt2 = "Easy8051B"
  txt3 = "Lcd4bit"
  txt4 = "example"
  Lcd_Init()                        ' Initialize LCD
  Lcd_Cmd(_LCD_CLEAR)               ' Clear display
  Lcd_Cmd(_LCD_CURSOR_OFF)          ' Cursor off
  LCD_Out(1,6,txt3)                 ' Write text in first row
  LCD_Out(2,6,txt4)                 ' Write text in second row
  Delay_ms(2000)
  Lcd_Cmd(_LCD_CLEAR)               ' Clear display

  LCD_Out(1,1,txt1)                 ' Write text in first row
  LCD_Out(2,4,txt2)                 ' Write text in second row
  Delay_ms(500)

  ' Moving text
  for i = 0 to 3                    ' Move text to the right 4 times
    Lcd_Cmd(_LCD_SHIFT_RIGHT)
    Move_Delay()
  next i

  while TRUE                        ' Endless loop
    for i = 0 to 6                  ' Move text to the left 7 times
      Lcd_Cmd(_LCD_SHIFT_LEFT)
      Move_Delay()
    next i

    for i = 0 to 6                  ' Move text to the right 7 times
      Lcd_Cmd(_LCD_SHIFT_RIGHT)
      Move_Delay()
    next i

  wend
end.

Lcd HW connection

Lcd HW connection

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