Supervisor: Ian Harries <ih@doc.ic.ac.uk>

Objective
To make constructive use of a Liquid Crystal Display module

Description
The Hitachi LM018L LCD module has two lines of 40 characters. It includes an on-board controller providing a comprehensive instruction set. The manufacturer's suggested uses include as a display component for telephones, facsimile machines, POS terminals and measurement equipment.

Requirements
The user should be able to access all the features of the module.

Possible functions might include

• "raw" input mode, where whatever is typed at the PC keyboard is also displayed on the module (including delete, cursor movement, etc)
• "shop window" mode, where a slogan or piece of information is continually rewritten on the module in a variety of eyecatching ways
• "clock" mode, where the date and time, continually being updated, is displayed

Details
The LM018L can be interfaced to either a 4-bit or 8-bit MPU. The IBM-PC parallel printer port provides enough I/O lines to control it. With the information provided, it is possible to design and build a cable to allow a program running on a PC to drive the module directly.

Reference
Hitachi LM018L LCD module • PC parallel printer port

ISE1 Group Project Summary - June 95