LCD using arduino

Learning outcomes:

Learning about LCD

Learning about the connection of LCD with arduino
Learning of adding the extension of LCD in code
Learning of the LCD code

1. Introduction:
A 16x2 LCD display refers to an LCD module that can display 16 characters in
each row and has 2 rows. Each character typically occupies a single position on
the LCD screen, and you can display alphanumeric characters, symbols, and
even custom characters.
The LCD display is divided into two rows, numbered from 0 to 1 (top to
bottom). Each row can display up to 16 characters, numbered from 0 to 15 (left
to right).
When you initialize the LCD module with the line lcd.begin(16, 2); in the code,
you are specifying its dimensions. In this case, you are setting it to a 16x2
configuration. If you were using a different LCD module, you might need to
adjust these values accordingly.
The LCD module is controlled by an Arduino using digital input/output pins.
The data pins (D4 to D7) are used to send character data to the LCD, while the
control pins (RS, Enable) are responsible for indicating the type of data being
sent.
RS (Register Select) pin: It is used to select between two types of data:
command or character. When RS is set to LOW (0), the data sent to the LCD is
treated as a command (e.g., changing settings). When RS is set to HIGH (1), the
data is treated as a character to be displayed on the screen.
Enable pin: It is used to enable the LCD module to read the incoming data. A
HIGH (1) signal on this pin signifies that the data is ready to be processed.
By connecting the LCD module to the appropriate pins on the Arduino and
using the LiquidCrystal library, you can control the display and show text,
numbers, or custom messages on the screen. The lcd.print() function is used to
display text or other data on the LCD module.
For example, in the provided code, lcd.print("Hello, World!"); will display the
string "Hello, World!" on the LCD module. The text will be displayed starting
from the first character position on the first row (0,0).
You can use the LCD module for various applications such as displaying sensor
data, menu navigation, status information, and more. By utilizing the available
commands and functions provided by the LiquidCrystal library, you can
customize the appearance and behavior of the LCD display according to your
needs.

1. VCC (+5V): This pin is connected to the 5V power supply of the

Arduino or any other power source providing +5V.
2. GND (Ground): This pin is connected to the ground (GND) of the
Arduino.
3. V0 (Contrast Control): V0 is used to control the contrast of the LCD.
It is usually connected to the middle pin of a potentiometer, with one end
connected to +5V and the other end connected to GND. By adjusting the
potentiometer, you can vary the contrast of the characters displayed on the
LCD.
4. RS (Register Select): The RS pin determines whether the data being
sent is a command or character data. When RS is set to LOW (0), the data
sent to the LCD is treated as a command. When RS is set to HIGH (1), the
data is treated as character data to be displayed on the screen.
5. R/W (Read/Write): The R/W pin allows you to select between read
and write operations. To write data to the LCD, this pin is connected to
GND (LOW). If you want to read from the LCD, it can be connected to
+5V (HIGH), but in most cases, it is connected to GND since we usually
only write data to the LCD.
6. Enable (E): The Enable pin enables the LCD module to read the
incoming data. When a HIGH pulse is applied to this pin, the LCD
processes the data. Typically, you set it to LOW (0), then set it to HIGH (1)
to indicate that the data is ready to be processed.
7.D4-D7 (Data Pins): These pins (D4, D5, D6, D7) are used to send data to
the LCD module. They are connected to digital pins of the Arduino. Data is
sent in 4-bit mode, meaning the information is transmitted in two 4-bit
nibbles. This mode conserves the number of pins required for connection.
8.LED+ and LED: These pins are used to control the backlight of the LCD.
LED+ is connected to the anode of the backlight LED, and LED- is
connected to the cathode. You can provide a suitable voltage (usually +5V)
across these pins to power the backlight.
Gather the necessary components: You will need an Arduino board (such as
Arduino Uno), an LCD module (such as a 16x2 or 20x4 character LCD), a
breadboard, jumper wires, and a potentiometer (usually 10k ohms).

Make the connections:

⮚ Connect the VCC pin of the LCD to the 5V pin on the Arduino.

⮚ Connect the GND (ground) pin of the LCD to the GND pin on the
Arduino.
⮚ Connect the SDA pin of the LCD to a digital pin on the Arduino (e.g., pin
2).
⮚ Connect the SCL pin of the LCD to another digital pin on the Arduino
(e.g., pin 3).
⮚ Connect the V0 pin of the LCD to the wiper (middle pin) of the
potentiometer.
⮚ Connect one end of the potentiometer to the 5V pin on the Arduino and
the other end to the GND pin on the Arduino.
 ⮚ Set up the LCD library: In the Arduino IDE, go to "Sketch" > "Include
Library" > "LiquidCrystal" to include the LCD library.

2. Components required completing an Arduino circuit

● Arduino board

● Potentiometer-10kohm

● 220 ohm resistor

● Male-Male wires

● Breadboard

● LCD

4. Understanding the working of Control 10 LED's using for loop

1. Connect the LED: Connect the anode (longer leg) of the LED to a digital pin
on the Arduino board and the cathode (shorter leg) to the ground (GND) pin.
2. Set up the PWM pin: Choose a digital pin on the Arduino that supports
PWM. These pins are usually marked with a "~" symbol. In the code, you will
refer to this pin number.
3. Write the code: In the Arduino programming environment, you can write a
program that gradually increases or decreases the PWM value to fade the LED.
The analogWrite() function is used to control the PWM output.
4. Upload and run the code: Upload the code to the Arduino board using a USB
cable and run it. The LED connected to the PWM pin will gradually change its
brightness, creating a fading effect.

In this Circuit, we will use one Arduino with 1 LED and 1 resistor .

Step 1:From the Components panel, select the following components from the
box.

Step 2: Connect the positive and negative wire on the breadboard

Step 3: As we are using big breadboard so for complete power supply use this
wire in the centre of breadboard.

Step 4: Now connect all the wire of positive and negative of potentiometer and
LCD
Step 5: Connect the wire from the centre of the Potentiometer to the V0 of the
LCD

Step 5:Now connect the E pin of the LCD to the pin no 11 of the Arduino, and
RS pin of the lcd to the 12 pin of the arduino

Step 6: Now Connect D4,D5,D6,D7 of the LCD to the arduino in such way
D4 to 5 pin of Arduino
D5 to 4 pin of Arduino
D6 to 3 pin of Arduino
D7 to 2 pin of Arduino
5. Upload the code in Arduino IDE software

Step 1:In the start Add the library of LIQUID CRYSTAL

And mention all the pins which we have with the arduino
Like
rs=12
en=11
d4=5
d5=4
d6=3
d7=2
How to add the library in the code
Remember that we can’t directly add the #include<LiquidCrytal.h>
Go in sketch – click on include Library- then manage library

Then type in the search Adafruit LCD

And install the library
Step 2: Now in viod setup mention the size of the LCD which is 16*2
And add the thing which you want to print hello world

Step 3: Now in the Loop

We will mention the line no for displaying the seconds
And the last line is used to write the number after every one second
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>: This line includes the LiquidCrystal library,
which provides functions to control the LCD module.

LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 5, 4, 3, 2);: Here, an instance of the LiquidCrystal

class is created and named lcd. The numbers inside the parentheses
represent the pin connections between the Arduino and the LCD module.
The order of the parameters is as follows: RS (register select), Enable, D4,
D5, D6, D7.

void setup() { ... }: This function is called once when the Arduino starts up.
It is used for initialization purposes.

lcd.begin(16, 2);: The begin() function initializes the LCD module. In this
line, it is set to operate in a 16x2 configuration (16 columns and 2 rows).
You can adjust these values according to the dimensions of your LCD
module.

lcd.print("Hello, World!");: The print() function is used to display text on

the LCD module. In this line, it prints the string "Hello, World!" on the
LCD.

void loop() { ... }: This function is continuously executed in a loop after the
setup() function finishes. It is where you can write your code to perform
various tasks repeatedly.
6.1. Final Code:
// include the library code:

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

// initialize the library by associating any needed LCD interface pin

// with the arduino pin number it is connected to

const int rs = 12, en = 11, d4 = 5, d5 = 4, d6 = 3, d7 = 2;

LiquidCrystal lcd(rs, en, d4, d5, d6, d7);

void setup() {

// set up the LCD's number of columns and rows:

lcd.begin(16, 2);

// Print a message to the LCD.

lcd.print("hello, world!");

void loop() {

// set the cursor to column 0, line 1

// (note: line 1 is the second row, since counting begins with 0):

lcd.setCursor(0, 1);

// print the number of seconds since reset:

lcd.print(millis() / 1000);

}
Download the code and check the output
7. Applications of LCD.
1. Medical Devices: LCDs are used in medical devices such as patient
monitors, ultrasound machines, medical imaging systems, and portable health
devices. They allow healthcare professionals to view vital signs, diagnostic
images, patient data, and other relevant information.
2. Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems: LCDs are employed in POS systems,
including cash registers, barcode scanners, touch screen displays, and customer-
facing screens.
3. Gaming Consoles: LCDs are integral to gaming consoles and handheld
gaming devices, providing immersive visuals and user interfaces.
4. Industrial Control Systems: LCDs are commonly used in industrial control
systems and human-machine interfaces (HMIs). They provide visual feedback
and allow operators to monitor and control various processes and equipment in
industries such as manufacturing, automation, and robotics.
5. Educational and Training Equipment: LCDs are used in educational
institutions and training centers for interactive displays, electronic whiteboards,
digital projectors, and teaching aids. They enhance the learning experience and
facilitate effective communication.

Summary:

● A 16x2 LCD display can show 16 characters in each of its 2 rows, allowing
the display of alphanumeric characters, symbols, and custom characters.
● The LCD module is connected to the Arduino using digital input/output pins,
including data pins (D4 to D7) and control pins (RS, Enable).
● The LiquidCrystal library in Arduino provides functions to control the LCD
module and display text.
● The LCD module requires a power supply connection (VCC and GND) to
function properly.