Playing around with the Futaba VFD

Author: dplassgit

vfd/DSARS0040036.pdf

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+#include "FutabaVFD.h"
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <inttypes.h>
+#include "Arduino.h"
+
+/*
+ 
+ The protocol is a really simple asyncronous serial protocol:
+ - Display becomes active after the strobe pin has been triggered ( active LOW )
+ - data is then sent in 8bit packets.
+ */
+
+FutabaVFD::FutabaVFD(uint8_t clkPin, uint8_t dataPin, uint8_t strobePin, uint8_t intensity)
+{
+    _clk_pin = clkPin;
+    _dat_pin = dataPin;
+    _stb_pin = strobePin;
+    _intensity = intensity;
+}
+
+void FutabaVFD::begin(uint8_t numColumns)
+{
+    _numcolumns = numColumns;
+    pinMode(_clk_pin, OUTPUT);
+    pinMode(_dat_pin, OUTPUT);
+    pinMode(_stb_pin, OUTPUT);
+    
+    digitalWrite(_clk_pin, LOW);
+    digitalWrite(_dat_pin, LOW);
+    digitalWrite(_stb_pin, LOW);
+    
+    delay(500);
+
+    strobe();
+    send(VFD_SETINTENSITY); send(_intensity);
+    clear();
+}
+
+
+void FutabaVFD::send(uint8_t data)
+{
+    for (unsigned int mask = 0x80, i=0;i<8;i++,mask >>=1)
+    {
+        digitalWrite(_clk_pin, HIGH);
+        delayMicroseconds(15);
+        digitalWrite(_dat_pin, !!(data & mask));
+        delayMicroseconds(5);
+        digitalWrite(_clk_pin, LOW);
+        delayMicroseconds(15);
+    }
+}
+
+
+void FutabaVFD::strobe()
+{
+    digitalWrite(_clk_pin,HIGH);
+    digitalWrite(_dat_pin,HIGH);
+    
+    digitalWrite(_stb_pin, HIGH);
+    delay(5);
+    digitalWrite(_stb_pin, LOW);
+    delay(5);
+}
+
+

vfd/FutabaVFD.cpp

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+#ifndef FutabaVFD_h
+#define Futaba_h
+
+#include <inttypes.h>
+#include "Print.h"
+
+// commands
+#define VFD_CLEARDISPLAY    0x01
+#define VFD_SETCURSOR       0x02
+#define VFD_SETINTENSITY    0x04
+
+class FutabaVFD : public Print
+{
+public:
+    FutabaVFD(uint8_t clk, uint8_t data, uint8_t strobe, uint8_t intensity = 0x0ff);
+
+    // clear display, set cursor position to zero
+    void clear() { send(VFD_CLEARDISPLAY); }
+    void begin(uint8_t numColumns = 20);
+    
+    // set cursor position to zero
+    void home() { setCursor(0,0); }
+    void setCursor(uint8_t col, uint8_t row) { send(VFD_SETCURSOR); send((row) * _numcolumns + (col+1)); }
+    
+    virtual size_t write(uint8_t data) { send(data); return 1; }
+    using Print::write;
+    
+    void strobe();
+    void send(uint8_t);
+private:
+    
+    uint8_t _clk_pin; // active high.
+    uint8_t _dat_pin; // active high.
+    uint8_t _stb_pin; // active low. it seems to be a device reset or smth. must be triggered at
+    // least once before displaying.
+    
+    uint8_t _numcolumns;
+    uint8_t _intensity;
+};
+
+#endif

vfd/FutabaVFD.h

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+/*
+  FutabaVFD Library - Hello World
+  
+  Tested with Futaba US202SD01A/C
+ 
+  This sketch prints "Hello World!" to the LCD
+  and shows the time.
+
+  The pinout for the Futaba US202SD01A/C displays is as follows:
+
+    1 - +5V ( can be powered from arduino board)
+    2 - CLOCK
+    3 - GND
+    4 - DATA
+    5 - STROBE
+
+  The circuit:
+    VFD +5V to 5V
+    VFD CLOCK pin to digital pin 5
+    VFD GND pin to ground ( GND )
+    VFD DATA pin to digital pin 4
+    VFD STROBE pin to digital pin 3
+
+  API loosly based on LiquidCrystal library (https://www.arduino.cc/en/Reference/LiquidCrystal) 
+
+ This example code is in the public domain.
+
+ https://github.com/nervus/FutabaVFD
+ */
+
+// include the library code:
+#include "FutabaVFD.h"
+
+// initialize the library with the numbers of the interface pins
+// clock, data, strobe
+FutabaVFD vfd(6, 3, 4);
+
+void setup() 
+{
+  Serial.begin(115200);
+  Serial.println("Hello vfd");
+
+  vfd.begin(40);
+  
+  // Print a message to the LCD.
+  vfd.setCursor(0, 0);
+  vfd.print("Hello, world!");
+  delay(5000);
+}
+
+void loop() {
+  // set the cursor to column 0, line 1
+  // (note: line 1 is the second row, since counting begins with 0):
+  Serial.println("Showing time ");
+  vfd.setCursor(0, 1);
+  vfd.print(millis() / 1000);
+
+  delay(5000);
+}