Interface Arduino UNO clone with a 2.4 TFT touchscreen - 2nd version

On July I've tested a first version of 2.4" TFT touchscreen shield for Arduino.
Now, I've tested a second version, but it was different ( probably use a different display driver) and need an update on firmware source.

I've tested this library, ( thanks to the author Joao ) :

https://github.com/JoaoLopesF/SPFD5408

but I made some adjustment in order to function correctly with this TFT display.

Without this amendment, the issues were :
- Colour's difference
- Wrong  "x" and "y" axis  on the touch

Colour's difference : 

To adjust the colour issue , I've added just one line/command on "SPFD5408_Adafruit_TFTLCD" library.

On the "Adafruit_TFTLCD::begin" procedure , I 've added :

writeRegister8(ILI9341_INVERTON, 0);//

Below , the complete function with the correction higlighted in red  :

void Adafruit_TFTLCD::begin(uint16_t id) {
  uint8_t i = 0;

  reset();
  delay(200);
  if((id == 0x9325) || (id == 0x9328)) {
    uint16_t a, d;
    driver = ID_932X;
    CS_ACTIVE;
    while(i < sizeof(ILI932x_regValues) / sizeof(uint16_t)) {
      a = pgm_read_word(&ILI932x_regValues[i++]);
      d = pgm_read_word(&ILI932x_regValues[i++]);
      if(a == TFTLCD_DELAY) delay(d);
      else                  writeRegister16(a, d);
    }
    setRotation(rotation);
    setAddrWindow(0, 0, TFTWIDTH-1, TFTHEIGHT-1);

  } else if (id == 0x9341) {

    uint16_t a, d;
    driver = ID_9341;
    CS_ACTIVE;
    writeRegister8(ILI9341_SOFTRESET, 0);
    delay(50);
    writeRegister8(ILI9341_DISPLAYOFF, 0);
    writeRegister8(ILI9341_POWERCONTROL1, 0x23);
    writeRegister8(ILI9341_POWERCONTROL2, 0x10);
    writeRegister16(ILI9341_VCOMCONTROL1, 0x2B2B);
    writeRegister8(ILI9341_VCOMCONTROL2, 0xC0);
    writeRegister8(ILI9341_MEMCONTROL, ILI9341_MADCTL_MY | ILI9341_MADCTL_BGR);
    writeRegister8(ILI9341_PIXELFORMAT, 0x55);
    writeRegister16(ILI9341_FRAMECONTROL, 0x001B);
    writeRegister8(ILI9341_ENTRYMODE, 0x07);
    /* writeRegister32(ILI9341_DISPLAYFUNC, 0x0A822700);*/
    writeRegister8(ILI9341_SLEEPOUT, 0);
    delay(150);
    writeRegister8(ILI9341_DISPLAYON, 0);
    delay(500);
// *** SPFD5408 change -- Begin
// Not tested yet
writeRegister8(ILI9341_INVERTON, 0);//included by paco
delay(500);//included by paco - could be removed ?
    // *** SPFD5408 change -- End
    setAddrWindow(0, 0, TFTWIDTH-1, TFTHEIGHT-1);
    return;

  } else if (id == 0x8357) {
    // HX8357D
    driver = ID_HX8357D;
    CS_ACTIVE;
     while(i < sizeof(HX8357D_regValues)) {
      uint8_t r = pgm_read_byte(&HX8357D_regValues[i++]);
      uint8_t len = pgm_read_byte(&HX8357D_regValues[i++]);
      if(r == TFTLCD_DELAY) {
delay(len);
      } else {
//Serial.print("Register $"); Serial.print(r, HEX);
//Serial.print(" datalen "); Serial.println(len);

CS_ACTIVE;
CD_COMMAND;
write8(r);
CD_DATA;
for (uint8_t d=0; d<len; d++) {
 uint8_t x = pgm_read_byte(&HX8357D_regValues[i++]);
 write8(x);
}
CS_IDLE;

      }
    }

Touch has a wrong  "x" and "y" axis 

Below, you can find the example source file "spfd5408_tftpaint" by Jao Lopes, contained in the library.

I function perfectly, just the touch had a wrong "X" & "Y"  axis value.

I made a few adjustment to fix it . See below higlighted in red.

// Paint example specifically for the TFTLCD breakout board.

// If using the Arduino shield, use the tftpaint_shield.pde sketch instead!

// DOES NOT CURRENTLY WORK ON ARDUINO LEONARDO

// Modified for SPFD5408 Library by Joao Lopes

// Version 0.9.2 - Rotation for Mega

// *** SPFD5408 change -- Begin

#include <SPFD5408_Adafruit_GFX.h>    // Core graphics library

#include <SPFD5408_Adafruit_TFTLCD.h> // Hardware-specific library

#include <SPFD5408_TouchScreen.h>

// *** SPFD5408 change -- End

#if defined(__SAM3X8E__)

    #undef __FlashStringHelper::F(string_literal)

    #define F(string_literal) string_literal

#endif

// When using the BREAKOUT BOARD only, use these 8 data lines to the LCD:

// For the Arduino Uno, Duemilanove, Diecimila, etc.:

//   D0 connects to digital pin 8  (Notice these are

//   D1 connects to digital pin 9   NOT in order!)

//   D2 connects to digital pin 2

//   D3 connects to digital pin 3

//   D4 connects to digital pin 4

//   D5 connects to digital pin 5

//   D6 connects to digital pin 6

//   D7 connects to digital pin 7

// For the Arduino Mega, use digital pins 22 through 29

// (on the 2-row header at the end of the board).

//   D0 connects to digital pin 22

//   D1 connects to digital pin 23

//   D2 connects to digital pin 24

//   D3 connects to digital pin 25

//   D4 connects to digital pin 26

//   D5 connects to digital pin 27

//   D6 connects to digital pin 28

//   D7 connects to digital pin 29

// For the Arduino Due, use digital pins 33 through 40

// (on the 2-row header at the end of the board).

//   D0 connects to digital pin 33

//   D1 connects to digital pin 34

//   D2 connects to digital pin 35

//   D3 connects to digital pin 36

//   D4 connects to digital pin 37

//   D5 connects to digital pin 38

//   D6 connects to digital pin 39

//   D7 connects to digital pin 40

#define YP A1  // must be an analog pin, use "An" notation!

#define XM A2  // must be an analog pin, use "An" notation!

#define YM 7   // can be a digital pin

#define XP 6   // can be a digital pin

// Original values

//#define TS_MINX 150

//#define TS_MINY 120

//#define TS_MAXX 920

//#define TS_MAXY 940

// Calibrate values

#define TS_MINX 100

#define TS_MINY 100

#define TS_MAXX 965

#define TS_MAXY 905

// For better pressure precision, we need to know the resistance

// between X+ and X- Use any multimeter to read it

// For the one we're using, its 300 ohms across the X plate

TouchScreen ts = TouchScreen(XP, YP, XM, YM, 300);

#define LCD_CS A3

#define LCD_CD A2

#define LCD_WR A1

#define LCD_RD A0

// optional

#define LCD_RESET A4

// Assign human-readable names to some common 16-bit color values:

#define BLACK   0x0000

#define BLUE    0x001F

#define RED     0xF800

#define GREEN   0x07E0

#define CYAN    0x07FF

#define MAGENTA 0xF81F

#define YELLOW  0xFFE0

#define WHITE   0xFFFF

Adafruit_TFTLCD tft(LCD_CS, LCD_CD, LCD_WR, LCD_RD, LCD_RESET);

#define BOXSIZE 40

#define PENRADIUS 3

int oldcolor, currentcolor;

void setup(void) {

  Serial.begin(9600);

  Serial.println(F("Paint!"));

  

  tft.reset();

  // *** SPFD5408 change -- Begin

  uint16_t identifier = tft.readID();

Serial.print(F("ID : "));

Serial.println(identifier,HEX);// add by rob

//  if(identifier == 0x9325) {

//    Serial.println(F("Found ILI9325 LCD driver"));

//  } else if(identifier == 0x9328) {

//    Serial.println(F("Found ILI9328 LCD driver"));

//  } else if(identifier == 0x7575) {

//    Serial.println(F("Found HX8347G LCD driver"));

//  } else if(identifier == 0x9341) {

//    Serial.println(F("Found ILI9341 LCD driver"));

//  } else if(identifier == 0x8357) {

//    Serial.println(F("Found HX8357D LCD driver"));

//  } else {

//    Serial.print(F("Unknown LCD driver chip: "));

//    Serial.println(identifier, HEX);

//    Serial.println(F("If using the Adafruit 2.8\" TFT Arduino shield, the line:"));

//    Serial.println(F("  #define USE_ADAFRUIT_SHIELD_PINOUT"));

//    Serial.println(F("should appear in the library header (Adafruit_TFT.h)."));

//    Serial.println(F("If using the breakout board, it should NOT be #defined!"));

//    Serial.println(F("Also if using the breakout, double-check that all wiring"));

//    Serial.println(F("matches the tutorial."));

//    return;

//  }

//

//  tft.begin(identifier);

  tft.begin(0x9341); // SDFP5408

  

  tft.setRotation(0); // Need for the Mega, please changed for your choice or rotation initial

  // Border

  drawBorder();

  

  // Initial screen

  

  tft.setCursor (55, 50);

  tft.setTextSize (3);

  tft.setTextColor(RED);

  tft.println("SPFD5408");

  tft.setCursor (65, 85);

  tft.println("Library");

  tft.setCursor (55, 150);

  tft.setTextSize (2);

  tft.setTextColor(BLACK);

  tft.println("TFT Paint");

  tft.setCursor (80, 250);

  tft.setTextSize (1);

  tft.setTextColor(BLACK);

  tft.println("Touch to proceed");

  // Wait touch

  waitOneTouch();

// *** SPFD5408 change -- End

  // -- End

  // Paint

  

  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);

  tft.fillRect(0, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, RED);

  tft.fillRect(BOXSIZE, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, YELLOW);

  tft.fillRect(BOXSIZE*2, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, GREEN);

  tft.fillRect(BOXSIZE*3, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, CYAN);

  tft.fillRect(BOXSIZE*4, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, BLUE);

  tft.fillRect(BOXSIZE*5, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, MAGENTA);

 // tft.fillRect(BOXSIZE*6, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, WHITE);

  tft.drawRect(0, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, WHITE);

  currentcolor = RED;

  pinMode(13, OUTPUT);

}

#define MINPRESSURE 10

#define MAXPRESSURE 1000

void loop()

{

  digitalWrite(13, HIGH);

  TSPoint p = ts.getPoint();

  digitalWrite(13, LOW);

  // if sharing pins, you'll need to fix the directions of the touchscreen pins

  //pinMode(XP, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(XM, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(YP, OUTPUT);

  //pinMode(YM, OUTPUT);

  // we have some minimum pressure we consider 'valid'

  // pressure of 0 means no pressing!

  if (p.z > MINPRESSURE && p.z < MAXPRESSURE) {

    /*

    Serial.print("X = "); Serial.print(p.x

    Serial.print("\tY = "); Serial.print(p.y);

    Serial.print("\tPressure = "); Serial.println(p.z);

    */

    

    if (p.y < (TS_MINY-5)) {

      Serial.println("erase");

      // press the bottom of the screen to erase 

      tft.fillRect(0, BOXSIZE, tft.width(), tft.height()-BOXSIZE, BLACK);

    }

    // scale from 0->1023 to tft.width

    // *** SPFD5408 change -- Begin

    // Bug in in original code

//    p.x = map(p.y, TS_MINY, TS_MAXY, 0, tft.height

  

     p.y=1023-p.y;        //added by Paco

     int terri=p.x;         //added by Paco

     p.x=p.y;                //added by Paco

     p.y=terri;             //added by Paco

  

  p.x = map(p.x, TS_MINX, TS_MAXX, 0, tft.width());

    // *** SPFD5408 change -- End

   p.y = map(p.y, TS_MINY, TS_MAXY, 0, tft.height());

    /*

    Serial.print("("); Serial.print(p.x);

    Serial.print(", "); Serial.print(p.y);

    Serial.println(")");

    */

    if (p.y < BOXSIZE) {

       oldcolor = currentcolor;

       if (p.x < BOXSIZE) { 

         currentcolor = RED; 

         tft.drawRect(0, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, WHITE);

       } else if (p.x < BOXSIZE*2) {

         currentcolor = YELLOW;

         tft.drawRect(BOXSIZE, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, WHITE);

       } else if (p.x < BOXSIZE*3) {

         currentcolor = GREEN;

         tft.drawRect(BOXSIZE*2, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, WHITE);

       } else if (p.x < BOXSIZE*4) {

         currentcolor = CYAN;

         tft.drawRect(BOXSIZE*3, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, WHITE);

       } else if (p.x < BOXSIZE*5) {

         currentcolor = BLUE;

         tft.drawRect(BOXSIZE*4, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, WHITE);

       } else if (p.x < BOXSIZE*6) {

         currentcolor = MAGENTA;

         tft.drawRect(BOXSIZE*5, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, WHITE);

       }

       if (oldcolor != currentcolor) {

          if (oldcolor == RED) tft.fillRect(0, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, RED);

          if (oldcolor == YELLOW) tft.fillRect(BOXSIZE, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, YELLOW);

          if (oldcolor == GREEN) tft.fillRect(BOXSIZE*2, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, GREEN);

          if (oldcolor == CYAN) tft.fillRect(BOXSIZE*3, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, CYAN);

          if (oldcolor == BLUE) tft.fillRect(BOXSIZE*4, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, BLUE);

          if (oldcolor == MAGENTA) tft.fillRect(BOXSIZE*5, 0, BOXSIZE, BOXSIZE, MAGENTA);

       }

    }

    if (((p.y-PENRADIUS) > BOXSIZE) && ((p.y+PENRADIUS) < tft.height())) {

      tft.fillCircle(p.x, p.y, PENRADIUS, currentcolor);

    }

  }

}

// Wait one touch

TSPoint waitOneTouch() {

  // wait 1 touch to exit function

  

  TSPoint p;

  

  do {

    p= ts.getPoint(); 

  

    pinMode(XM, OUTPUT); //Pins configures again for TFT control

    pinMode(YP, OUTPUT);

  

  } while((p.z < MINPRESSURE )|| (p.z > MAXPRESSURE));

  

  return p;

}

void drawBorder () {

  // Draw a border

  uint16_t width = tft.width() - 1;

  uint16_t height = tft.height() - 1;

  uint8_t border = 10;

  tft.fillScreen(RED);

  tft.fillRect(border, border, (width - border * 2), (height - border * 2), WHITE);

  

}

You can see the result here :

4 Channel Relay Shield Arduino compatible

I've used this relay shield for a personal project, the quality of the boards was pretty fine but there was no documentation supplied except for an image or two on the original web site.

Module features are :

1. Standard for Arduino Shield interfaces and shape.
2. Can continue to stack other for Arduino expansion board (relays use Digital output Pins 7,6,5 and 4). Also the SPI connector is stackable
3. 3x M3 screw positioning holes for easy installation.
4. High Drive (5V or 3.3V) normally open contact closure.
5. 4 red led Onboard relay indicator

Special Note: If mounting on an Arduino Uno, take care about the pins of the green terminal blocks do not interfere with the USB interface (which is higher than normal).

Relay Shield Interface:

• Relay: sky- 5V DC relay , model HJR-4102-L-5V, 
• Power Interface : 5V DC power interface
• Indicator: four leds are red when the relay is driven high , the corresponding indicator will light up .
• Relay Terminals: Terminal high-power , high-current high voltage can be connected to the device - 3A 125VAC - 3A 24VDC

Here a simple example's sketch:

void setup () 

  { 

    pinMode (4, OUTPUT); 

    digitalWrite (4, LOW );

    pinMode (5, OUTPUT); 

    digitalWrite (5, LOW );

    pinMode (6, OUTPUT); 

    digitalWrite (6, LOW );

    pinMode (7, OUTPUT); 

    digitalWrite (7, LOW );

    pinMode (13, OUTPUT); 

    delay (5000);

 }

void loop () 

{ 

    

    digitalWrite (4, HIGH );

    digitalWrite (5, HIGH );

    digitalWrite (6, HIGH );

    digitalWrite (7, HIGH );

    digitalWrite (13, HIGH );

    delay (1000);

    digitalWrite (4, LOW );

    digitalWrite (5, LOW );

    digitalWrite (6, LOW );

    digitalWrite (7, LOW );

    digitalWrite (13, LOW );

    delay (1000);

    

}

Interface Arduino UNO clone with a 2.4 TFT touchscreen 

Just a few information ,  about how this test I made with this amazing 2.4" TFT LCD screen with touch screen, bought .here

In order to function correctly, you need to download the Arduino libraries, kindly offered ( as open source ) by Adafruit..

The libraries are :

• adafruit/Adafruit-GFX-Library
• Touch-Screen-Library
• TFTLCD-Library

You need to install these libraries in the correct library folder and then start the Arduino IDE.

Let's go to compile and upload the below example sketch ( available into the "TFTLCD-Library" - sketch's name is "graphicstest.pde" ) on Arduino UNO .

To function , it has been necessary to insert one line ( see below , it has been highlighted in red ).

The driver is ILI9341 , but the firmware has  found a different code identifier ( not  0x9341, but 0x0101)

// IMPORTANT: Adafruit_TFTLCD LIBRARY MUST BE SPECIFICALLY
// CONFIGURED FOR EITHER THE TFT SHIELD OR THE BREAKOUT BOARD.
// SEE RELEVANT COMMENTS IN Adafruit_TFTLCD.h FOR SETUP.

#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>    // Core graphics library
#include <Adafruit_TFTLCD.h> // Hardware-specific library

// The control pins for the LCD can be assigned to any digital or
// analog pins...but we'll use the analog pins as this allows us to
// double up the pins with the touch screen (see the TFT paint example).
#define LCD_CS A3 // Chip Select goes to Analog 3
#define LCD_CD A2 // Command/Data goes to Analog 2
#define LCD_WR A1 // LCD Write goes to Analog 1
#define LCD_RD A0 // LCD Read goes to Analog 0

#define LCD_RESET A4 // Can alternately just connect to Arduino's reset pin

// When using the BREAKOUT BOARD only, use these 8 data lines to the LCD:
// For the Arduino Uno, Duemilanove, Diecimila, etc.:
//   D0 connects to digital pin 8  (Notice these are
//   D1 connects to digital pin 9   NOT in order!)
//   D2 connects to digital pin 2
//   D3 connects to digital pin 3
//   D4 connects to digital pin 4
//   D5 connects to digital pin 5
//   D6 connects to digital pin 6
//   D7 connects to digital pin 7
// For the Arduino Mega, use digital pins 22 through 29
// (on the 2-row header at the end of the board).

// Assign human-readable names to some common 16-bit color values:
#define BLACK   0x0000
#define BLUE    0x001F
#define RED     0xF800
#define GREEN   0x07E0
#define CYAN    0x07FF
#define MAGENTA 0xF81F
#define YELLOW  0xFFE0
#define WHITE   0xFFFF

Adafruit_TFTLCD tft(LCD_CS, LCD_CD, LCD_WR, LCD_RD, LCD_RESET);
// If using the shield, all control and data lines are fixed, and
// a simpler declaration can optionally be used:
// Adafruit_TFTLCD tft;

void setup(void) {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println(F("TFT LCD test"));

#ifdef USE_ADAFRUIT_SHIELD_PINOUT
  Serial.println(F("Using Adafruit 2.8\" TFT Arduino Shield Pinout"));
#else
  Serial.println(F("Using Adafruit 2.8\" TFT Breakout Board Pinout"));
#endif

  Serial.print("TFT size is "); Serial.print(tft.width()); Serial.print("x"); Serial.println(tft.height());

  tft.reset();

  uint16_t identifier = 0x9341;    //Need a fix here 

  if(identifier == 0x9325) {
    Serial.println(F("Found ILI9325 LCD driver"));
  } else if(identifier == 0x9328) {
    Serial.println(F("Found ILI9328 LCD driver"));
  } else if(identifier == 0x7575) {
    Serial.println(F("Found HX8347G LCD driver"));
  } else if(identifier == 0x9341) {
    Serial.println(F("Found ILI9341 LCD driver"));
  } else if(identifier == 0x8357) {
    Serial.println(F("Found HX8357D LCD driver"));
  } else {
    Serial.print(F("Unknown LCD driver chip: "));
    Serial.println(identifier, HEX);
    Serial.println(F("If using the Adafruit 2.8\" TFT Arduino shield, the line:"));
    Serial.println(F("  #define USE_ADAFRUIT_SHIELD_PINOUT"));
    Serial.println(F("should appear in the library header (Adafruit_TFT.h)."));
    Serial.println(F("If using the breakout board, it should NOT be #defined!"));
    Serial.println(F("Also if using the breakout, double-check that all wiring"));
    Serial.println(F("matches the tutorial."));
    return;
  }

  tft.begin(identifier);

  Serial.println(F("Benchmark                Time (microseconds)"));

  Serial.print(F("Screen fill              "));
  Serial.println(testFillScreen());
  delay(500);

  Serial.print(F("Text                     "));
  Serial.println(testText());
  delay(3000);

  Serial.print(F("Lines                    "));
  Serial.println(testLines(CYAN));
  delay(500);

  Serial.print(F("Horiz/Vert Lines         "));
  Serial.println(testFastLines(RED, BLUE));
  delay(500);

  Serial.print(F("Rectangles (outline)     "));
  Serial.println(testRects(GREEN));
  delay(500);

  Serial.print(F("Rectangles (filled)      "));
  Serial.println(testFilledRects(YELLOW, MAGENTA));
  delay(500);

  Serial.print(F("Circles (filled)         "));
  Serial.println(testFilledCircles(10, MAGENTA));

  Serial.print(F("Circles (outline)        "));
  Serial.println(testCircles(10, WHITE));
  delay(500);

  Serial.print(F("Triangles (outline)      "));
  Serial.println(testTriangles());
  delay(500);

  Serial.print(F("Triangles (filled)       "));
  Serial.println(testFilledTriangles());
  delay(500);

  Serial.print(F("Rounded rects (outline)  "));
  Serial.println(testRoundRects());
  delay(500);

  Serial.print(F("Rounded rects (filled)   "));
  Serial.println(testFilledRoundRects());
  delay(500);

  Serial.println(F("Done!"));
}

void loop(void) {
  for(uint8_t rotation=0; rotation<4; rotation++) {
    tft.setRotation(rotation);
    testText();
    delay(2000);
  }
}

unsigned long testFillScreen() {
  unsigned long start = micros();
  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);
  tft.fillScreen(RED);
  tft.fillScreen(GREEN);
  tft.fillScreen(BLUE);
  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);
  return micros() - start;
}

unsigned long testText() {
  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);
  unsigned long start = micros();
  tft.setCursor(0, 0);
  tft.setTextColor(WHITE);  tft.setTextSize(1);
  tft.println("Hello World!");
  tft.setTextColor(YELLOW); tft.setTextSize(2);
  tft.println(1234.56);
  tft.setTextColor(RED);    tft.setTextSize(3);
  tft.println(0xDEADBEEF, HEX);
  tft.println();
  tft.setTextColor(GREEN);
  tft.setTextSize(5);
  tft.println("Groop");
  tft.setTextSize(2);
  tft.println("I implore thee,");
  tft.setTextSize(1);
  tft.println("my foonting turlingdromes.");
  tft.println("And hooptiously drangle me");
  tft.println("with crinkly bindlewurdles,");
  tft.println("Or I will rend thee");
  tft.println("in the gobberwarts");
  tft.println("with my blurglecruncheon,");
  tft.println("see if I don't!");
  return micros() - start;
}

unsigned long testLines(uint16_t color) {
  unsigned long start, t;
  int           x1, y1, x2, y2,
                w = tft.width(),
                h = tft.height();

  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);

  x1 = y1 = 0;
  y2    = h - 1;
  start = micros();
  for(x2=0; x2<w; x2+=6) tft.drawLine(x1, y1, x2, y2, color);
  x2    = w - 1;
  for(y2=0; y2<h; y2+=6) tft.drawLine(x1, y1, x2, y2, color);
  t     = micros() - start; // fillScreen doesn't count against timing

  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);

  x1    = w - 1;
  y1    = 0;
  y2    = h - 1;
  start = micros();
  for(x2=0; x2<w; x2+=6) tft.drawLine(x1, y1, x2, y2, color);
  x2    = 0;
  for(y2=0; y2<h; y2+=6) tft.drawLine(x1, y1, x2, y2, color);
  t    += micros() - start;

  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);

  x1    = 0;
  y1    = h - 1;
  y2    = 0;
  start = micros();
  for(x2=0; x2<w; x2+=6) tft.drawLine(x1, y1, x2, y2, color);
  x2    = w - 1;
  for(y2=0; y2<h; y2+=6) tft.drawLine(x1, y1, x2, y2, color);
  t    += micros() - start;

  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);

  x1    = w - 1;
  y1    = h - 1;
  y2    = 0;
  start = micros();
  for(x2=0; x2<w; x2+=6) tft.drawLine(x1, y1, x2, y2, color);
  x2    = 0;
  for(y2=0; y2<h; y2+=6) tft.drawLine(x1, y1, x2, y2, color);

  return micros() - start;
}

unsigned long testFastLines(uint16_t color1, uint16_t color2) {
  unsigned long start;
  int           x, y, w = tft.width(), h = tft.height();

  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);
  start = micros();
  for(y=0; y<h; y+=5) tft.drawFastHLine(0, y, w, color1);
  for(x=0; x<w; x+=5) tft.drawFastVLine(x, 0, h, color2);

  return micros() - start;
}

unsigned long testRects(uint16_t color) {
  unsigned long start;
  int           n, i, i2,
                cx = tft.width()  / 2,
                cy = tft.height() / 2;

  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);
  n     = min(tft.width(), tft.height());
  start = micros();
  for(i=2; i<n; i+=6) {
    i2 = i / 2;
    tft.drawRect(cx-i2, cy-i2, i, i, color);
  }

  return micros() - start;
}

unsigned long testFilledRects(uint16_t color1, uint16_t color2) {
  unsigned long start, t = 0;
  int           n, i, i2,
                cx = tft.width()  / 2 - 1,
                cy = tft.height() / 2 - 1;

  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);
  n = min(tft.width(), tft.height());
  for(i=n; i>0; i-=6) {
    i2    = i / 2;
    start = micros();
    tft.fillRect(cx-i2, cy-i2, i, i, color1);
    t    += micros() - start;
    // Outlines are not included in timing results
    tft.drawRect(cx-i2, cy-i2, i, i, color2);
  }

  return t;
}

unsigned long testFilledCircles(uint8_t radius, uint16_t color) {
  unsigned long start;
  int x, y, w = tft.width(), h = tft.height(), r2 = radius * 2;

  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);
  start = micros();
  for(x=radius; x<w; x+=r2) {
    for(y=radius; y<h; y+=r2) {
      tft.fillCircle(x, y, radius, color);
    }
  }

  return micros() - start;
}

unsigned long testCircles(uint8_t radius, uint16_t color) {
  unsigned long start;
  int           x, y, r2 = radius * 2,
                w = tft.width()  + radius,
                h = tft.height() + radius;

  // Screen is not cleared for this one -- this is
  // intentional and does not affect the reported time.
  start = micros();
  for(x=0; x<w; x+=r2) {
    for(y=0; y<h; y+=r2) {
      tft.drawCircle(x, y, radius, color);
    }
  }

  return micros() - start;
}

unsigned long testTriangles() {
  unsigned long start;
  int           n, i, cx = tft.width()  / 2 - 1,
                      cy = tft.height() / 2 - 1;

  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);
  n     = min(cx, cy);
  start = micros();
  for(i=0; i<n; i+=5) {
    tft.drawTriangle(
      cx    , cy - i, // peak
      cx - i, cy + i, // bottom left
      cx + i, cy + i, // bottom right
      tft.color565(0, 0, i));
  }

  return micros() - start;
}

unsigned long testFilledTriangles() {
  unsigned long start, t = 0;
  int           i, cx = tft.width()  / 2 - 1,
                   cy = tft.height() / 2 - 1;

  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);
  start = micros();
  for(i=min(cx,cy); i>10; i-=5) {
    start = micros();
    tft.fillTriangle(cx, cy - i, cx - i, cy + i, cx + i, cy + i,
      tft.color565(0, i, i));
    t += micros() - start;
    tft.drawTriangle(cx, cy - i, cx - i, cy + i, cx + i, cy + i,
      tft.color565(i, i, 0));
  }

  return t;
}

unsigned long testRoundRects() {
  unsigned long start;
  int           w, i, i2,
                cx = tft.width()  / 2 - 1,
                cy = tft.height() / 2 - 1;

  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);
  w     = min(tft.width(), tft.height());
  start = micros();
  for(i=0; i<w; i+=6) {
    i2 = i / 2;
    tft.drawRoundRect(cx-i2, cy-i2, i, i, i/8, tft.color565(i, 0, 0));
  }

  return micros() - start;
}

unsigned long testFilledRoundRects() {
  unsigned long start;
  int           i, i2,
                cx = tft.width()  / 2 - 1,
                cy = tft.height() / 2 - 1;

  tft.fillScreen(BLACK);
  start = micros();
  for(i=min(tft.width(), tft.height()); i>20; i-=6) {
    i2 = i / 2;
    tft.fillRoundRect(cx-i2, cy-i2, i, i, i/8, tft.color565(0, i, 0));
  }

  return micros() - start;
}

Buggy

I’m very pleased to introduce you  my last present, just arrived.

The “Buggy”, one of the last technological “toys” from MikroElektronika.

I said “toys”, but we can consider the Buggy a complete development system, useful to study a large number of microcontroller.

Mikroeektronika is very attentive to details. The package is very well done, robust and reliable. It is common for all the Mikroelektronika products.

Inside, all the parts are inserted in a foam base, that protect very well any single item

Kit includes :

–  base Buggy board, with 4 wheel+motors

– 3 Click board sockets

– 3 spare PCB parts, must be soldered, in order to give stability

– a 3.3V  LiIo battery

– USB cable

– Manual with schematic

I choose the kit that doesn’t include any Microcontroller board, since I already have a Clicker 2 x PIC32MX and a Mikromedia for PIC32MX.

All these products have been bought at  RS Components

On the picture below, you can see the Buggy base board from the bottom side.

Battery must be installed on the centre of the board, so the Buggy will be balanced very well.

Very impressive the geared motors.

The gear doesn’t include any part in plastic material, all are made by steel or iron. Basically, it not seem the classic “poor” low-cost plastic gearbox.

Prepare the robot is very easy , you just need an iron solder.

Anyway, the manual included describes very well, step by step, all the mounting operations.

On the next days, I will see to prepare a sample firmware example, to give life to my robot.

Practical use of 3D printer

Finally, a practical use of my 3D printer Prusa I3.
Was sunday morning, when a drama happened on my kitchen.

My girl was warming a cup of milk, suddendly, the microwawe stopped to function.
A gloomy silence filled the kitchen. the girl looked at me desperately and a scream broke the sound barrier.

" it is broke"
followed by a series of misfortunes similar to the invasion of locusts ( how can I warm my breakfast, my soup, the boiled potatoes ) .
STOP, I will fix the microwave - was my only statement.
While she was looking which electronic store were open on Sunday, I spent about half hour to open the microwave box, (I hate the torx screws, not having the correct screwdriver :-) )
Once I opened the patient, I have discovered that all was OK ( or , I supposed that ), but .....
the knob.....was only the knob used for time programming.... the center hole was stripped and did not more maintain the position.

IDEA - I can replicate a similar knob with my 3D printer.
Immediately on my computer, launch Design Spark mechanical and draw the my simple knob version.
Very easy and quick design

Then, save the G code file on my Prusa , used a 100 % infill to have a strong and reliable knob.
About 40 minutes and ....dadadadada.... an " economic" but functional knob was ready.

I will prepare a more complete version, just to avoid any claims from her