What is an Arduino?

-Arduino Platform Unlike most other programming cards of the past, Arduino does not require its own programming mechanism to load new code onto the card you are using. In addition to this, a simplified C++ version is available, making learning programming easier.

-Arduino is an open source platform for building electronic projects. Arduino consists of a programmable physical microcontroller and a software or IDE (Integrated Development Environment) that runs on a computer and is used to program the computer.

-Arduino offers a standard form factor that breaks down the functionality of a microcomputer into more accessible packages.

Arduino Advantages

-Simple programming environment: easy to handle for beginners and flexible for advanced users.

-Multi-platform operation: Arduino software can run on Linux, OSX and Windows.

- Low cost: Micro cards cost $15, and more powerful 32-bit cards cost less than $80.

– Arduino hardware and software are designed for artists, designers, hobbyists, hackers, novices, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments. Arduino can interact with buttons, LEDs, motors, speakers, GPS units, cameras, the internet, and even your smartphone or TV.

- Open source and scalable hardware: Arduino is based on Atmel's 8-bit ATmegas microcontroller and its 32-bit SAM3X8E and SAMD21 microcontrollers, released under a Creative Commons license for experienced circuit designers to create and extend their own modules accordingly , even relatively inexperienced users can create trial versions of development cards.

- Open source and extensible language: Arduino IDE is based on open source tools. The programming language used can be extended via C++ libraries.

The Types of Arduino

Arduino Uno:  The Uno is a great choice for your first Arduino.

LilyPad Arduino: used for wearable e-textile.

Arduino Mega: The Arduino Mega is like the UNO’s big brother. It has lots (54!) of digital input/output pins.

Arduino Leonardo: Arduino’s first development board to use one microcontroller with built-in USB. It is cheaper and simpler. The code libraries allow the board to emulate a computer keyboard, mouse, and more.

What is an LCD module?

The LCD itself can emit light. It must utilize an external light source. LCD display modules usually include LCD glass (or LCD panel), LCD driving circuit (can be COG, COB or TAB) and backlight.

What is an Arduino LCD display?

LCD is a liquid crystal display. Basically, any screen can be used with the Arduino, including alphanumeric LCD screens, monochrome graphic LCD screens, color LCD TFT screens, and LCD IPS screens. It can also be used with non-LCD screens, such as: PMOLED screens, AMOLED screens, e-ink screens (e-paper). Xinhongtai has developed simple interface screens (SPI, I2C) that are easy to use with Arduino.

What is the use of LCD monitor?

LCD screens were first used in watches and calculators. Today, LCD technology occupies a dominant position in the display field and is widely used in portable devices, smart homes, mobile phones, TVs, laptops, screens, information kiosks, aircraft cockpits, digital camera equipment, laboratory equipment, power grids and other fields.

What is LCD 16×2?

The 16x2 LCD screen is actually a simple and easy-to-use LCD module. These include the LCD glass, the chip-on-board PCB (LCD control card), the backlight, the zebra crossings that connect the LCD glass and control card, and the bezel that holds them together. The 16×2 LCD screen can display 16 characters per line and has two lines. Each character has a 5×7 pixel matrix with a mouse pointer underneath. All 16×2 LCD screens first use the standard Hitachi HD44700 driver. Of course, the legendary HD44780 controller has long since been deprecated, some are replacements, some require minor changes to the initialization code.

16×2 LCD display pinout definition:

Pin1 (Ground/Source Pin): This is a GND pin of display, used to connect the GND terminal of the microcontroller unit or power source.

Pin2 (VCC/Source Pin): This is the voltage supply pin of the display, used to connect the supply pin of the power source.

Pin3 (V0/VEE/Control Pin): This pin regulates the difference of the display, used to connect a changeable POT that can supply 0 to 5V.

Pin4 (RS pin or Register Select/Control Pin): This pin toggles among command or data register, used to connect a microcontroller unit pin and 

obtains either 0 or 1(0 = data mode, and 1 = command mode).

Pin5 (Read/Write/Control Pin): This pin toggles the display among the read or writes operation, and it is connected to a microcontroller unit pin to

 get either 0 or 1 (0 = Write Operation, and 1 = Read Operation).

Pin 6 (Enable pin/Control Pin): This pin should be held high to execute Read/Write process, and it is connected to the microcontroller unit & 

constantly held high.

Pins 7-14 (Data Pins): These pins are used to send data to the display. These pins are connected in two-wire modes like 4-bit mode and 8-bit 

mode. In 4-wire mode, only four pins are connected to the microcontroller unit like 0 to 3, whereas in 8-wire mode, 8-pins are connected to

 microcontroller unit like 0 to 7.

Pin15 (+ve, or A pin or LED backlight anode pin): This pin is connected to +5V power supply.

Pin 16 (-ve, or K pin or LED backlight cathode pin): This pin is connected to GND.

16×2 LCD display register

A 16×2 LCD has two registers like data register and command register. The RS (register select) is mainly used to change from one register to 

another. When the register set is ‘0’, then it is known as command register. Similarly, when the register set is ‘1’, then it is known as data 

register.

Command Register: The main function of the command register is to store the instructions of command which are given to the display. So that 

predefined tasks can be performed such as clearing the display, initializing, set the cursor place, and display control. Here commands processing

 can occur within the register.

Data Register: The main function of the data register is to store the information which is to be exhibited on the LCD screen. Here, the ASCII value 

of the character is the information which is to be exhibited on the screen of LCD. Whenever we send the information to LCD, it transmits to the data 

register, and then the process will be starting there. When register set =1, then the data register will be selected.

LCD Commands