I thought about a text only 44780 but thought why not go all the way with a GLCD instead.
Took quite a bit of effort to straighten out the GLCD low level s/w.
None of the existing ks0107/ks0108 GLCD or even 44780 text LCD s/w examples/libraries
I found were properly written for setting/clearing, and strobing bits without disturbing other
bits in data registers.
This is super critical if you want to use the remaining i/o pins in interrupts.
Its even more important on processors like the m168 and m328p as you can't get the 8 needed data bits
in a single register, like most implementations assume.
Plus GLCDs are so pin intensive that there are only 4 i/o pins are left over.
So my code allows any GLCD line to be configurable for any pin on any port.
In some cases this is even faster than the 4 bit mode that was trying to be "smart" in some libraries.
Anyway, enough of the rant, the picture below demonstrates how easy it is to prototype with
the Modern device boards, which is why I picked them over other alternatives.
All that was needed besides the obvious breadboard, was:
- 20 wires
- 1 resistor
- 1 potentiometer
The PC still has full 2 way communication with the BBB as well.
Can you imagine the mess of wires with the other "*duino" type boards?
--- bill