2010-02-09 09:46:15 Advice on configuration

Michel Hendriks (NETHERLANDS)

Message: 85836

Hello,

Ik would like to develop a measuring application which needs relatively high processing power. It also needs a graphic LCD display (for simple GUI purposes) and 6 or 7 input keys.

I have been looking at the BF537-STAMP board and I really like it. I think its processing power is sufficient for my needs. But a few questions/doubts come to my mind:

- How to hook up a, say 128x64 pixel LCD display (hardware)

- Recommendations for the type/brand?

- Can I buy such an extension board anywhere?

- Software Interface with it using DirectFB?

- Anyone can recommend a good widget lib that allows me to draw simple text, simple bar-graphs, maybe some digital VU meter?

- What is the status of the STAMP community? I see plenty of threads so that should not be a prob. But what if I need extensive support (in NLD), any companies you recommend?

I tried to lookup anything on graphic LCD's, but i always end up with the TFT QVGA stuff. Which I don't need/want for this application.

Greetings

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2010-02-09 10:58:04 Re: Advice on configuration

Michel Hendriks (NETHERLANDS)

Message: 85844

- Oh and debugging with gdbserver/gdb is possible I assume?

- Do I need any kind of programmer? There seem to be a lot out there but as far as i can tell I can replace bootloader and kernel via the serial port, correct?

- What advantage does the JTAG then give me?

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2010-02-09 11:11:11 Re: Advice on configuration

Robin Getz (UNITED STATES)

Message: 85846

Michel:

There are boards/designs/drivers for QVGA LCD:

blackfin.uclinux.org/gf/project/stamp/frs/?action=FrsReleaseBrowse&frs_package_id=73

It would be supported by DirectFB.

If you just want a basic dot matrix LCD - something like www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=791 ?

We have something like that around somewhere too -- but that you will need to manage 100% yourself.

-Robin

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2010-02-09 11:12:13 Re: Advice on configuration

Robin Getz (UNITED STATES)

Message: 85847

Michel:

gdb/gdbserver works fine.

No programmer is necessary. Most of the Blackfins can boot from UART if you brick it - so as long as you can change the bootmode pins - you should be OK.

-Robin

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2010-02-09 12:23:11 Re: Advice on configuration

Michel Hendriks (NETHERLANDS)

Message: 85852

I have just been looking at the DirectFB video at docs.blackfin.uclinux.org/doku.php?id=uclinux-dist:directfb

That is simply awesome :-) But way too much for this project..(maybe later for a my personal video project)

Just out of curiosity: does anyone know if there are suppliers delivering the QVGA LCD and at what price?

What I need now is more like the www.futurlec.com/LED/BLUE128X64LCD.shtml based on the Samsung KS0108B controller.

But maybe I can extend the 16x2 example, use it as a starting point. Can you tell me how i can find that example?

Using just ncurses is maybe a bit too limiting as I need to create (simple) bar graphs to create sliding indicator bars. Any other (simple!) method I could look into?

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2010-02-09 13:40:30 Re: Advice on configuration

Robin Getz (UNITED STATES)

Message: 85855

Michel:

I thought there were some simple things based on lcdproc.omnipotent.net/

Would that meet what you need to do?

It really depends on what you need to do - and how much you want to do yourself.

using directfb, or SDL, or others - assumes /dev/fb0 - so moving to that still means repainting an buffer in system memory all the time (which might be a little overkill). If you want to manage the pixels by yourself - and send graphics primatives to the external display buffer - that would be easier (less CPU overhead), but longer development.

Make sense?

-Robin

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2010-02-09 15:06:33 Re: Advice on configuration

Michael Hennerich (GERMANY)

Message: 85858 >Just out of curiosity: does anyone know if there are suppliers delivering

>the QVGA LCD and at what price?

Take a look at these:

search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=NHD-4.3-480272ZF-ATXI%23-1-ND

search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=NHD-3.5-320240MF-ATXL%23-1-ND

The one piece price doesn't sound too expensive?

>What I need now is more like the