char_lcd
========

Overview
--------
This is a simple example project for the MSP430 series MCU and the GCC port
of the mspgcc project. The project contains a makefile and uses assembler
and C sources. It shows a clock on an character LCD.

Features:

- How to use a character LCD.

  - Download font with custom characters
  - It contains a reusable LCD C-module

- How to use (wakeup) interrupts in C

  - Sync foreground with interrupt by using the lowpower modes

- Use printf to print formated strings and do a printf
  emulation that prints to the LCD.

- Using the Timer_A as realtime clock

- Makefile

  - Compile and link
  - Convert to intel hex format
  - Generate a listing with mixed C / assembly


Required hardware
-----------------

- A MSP430F1121 or larger device (any from the F1x series)
 
- Any character type display with a HD44780 controler or compatible
  (e.g. a KS0066 16x2 type was used for developement).
  Connections for a four bit interface (LCD->MSP)::
  
      RS  -> P1.1
      R/W -> P1.2
      E   -> P1.3
      D4  -> P1.4
      D5  -> P1.5
      D6  -> P1.6
      D7  -> P1.7
    
  Many LCD controllers run from 3 volts, but the display requires a
  voltage difference of more than 3 volts for the contrast. This means
  a negative voltage is needed on the contrast pin (usualy named VEE or
  VO)
  
- Watch crystal 32.768kHz
 
- Optionaly a LED on P2.5  (470 Ohms series resistor to GND)


Source
------
Files_:

- README.txt_   This file
- font.c_       Bitmaps of downloadable characters
- font.h_
- hardware.h_   Pins and port descriptions
- lcd.c_        HD44780 control code
- lcd.h_        HD44780 control code function prototypes and constants
- main.c_       Main application
- makefile_     Build rules

.. _files: .
.. _README.txt: README.txt
.. _font.c: font.c
.. _font.h: font.h
.. _hardware.h: hardware.h
.. _lcd.c: lcd.c
.. _lcd.h: lcd.h
.. _main.c: main.c
.. _makefile: makefile


Disclaimer
----------
This example is part of the mspgcc project http://mspgcc.sf.net.
See license.txt_ for details.

chris

------

back_

.. _back:       ../readme.html
.. _license.txt: ../license.html