Introduction to LCD Display (16×2) with I2C module (HW-061)

The LCD display (16×2) with I2C module, commonly known as the HW-061, is a popular choice for displaying information in Arduino projects due to its simplicity and ease of use. Here’s an introduction to this module:

Overview:

The HW-061 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) module that consists of a 16-character by 2-line (16×2) display with an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) communication interface. It combines the traditional 16×2 LCD display with a small I2C module, allowing for easy interfacing with microcontrollers like Arduino.

LCD Display (16×2) with I2C module (HW-061) Key Features:

1. 16×2 Character Display: The module can display up to 16 characters per line and has two lines, providing a total of 32 characters for displaying information.
2. I2C Interface: The I2C interface simplifies the connection between the LCD module and microcontrollers like Arduino, requiring only two wires (SDA and SCL) for communication.
3. Backlight Control: Some variants of the HW-061 module feature a built-in backlight that can be controlled via software to improve visibility in low-light conditions.
4. Adjustable Contrast: The contrast of the LCD can often be adjusted using a potentiometer located on the module, allowing for optimal readability.
5. Low Power Consumption: LCD displays typically consume very little power, making them suitable for battery-powered projects.

I2C module (HW-061) Pinout:

The HW-061 module usually has the following pinout:

• GND: Ground connection
• VCC: Power supply (typically +5V)
• SDA: Serial Data line for I2C communication
• SCL: Serial Clock line for I2C communication
• A (Optional): Anode pin for backlight (connected to +5V)
• K (Optional): Cathode pin for backlight (connected to GND)

Advantages:

• Simplicity: The I2C interface reduces the number of wires required for communication, simplifying wiring and making the module easy to use.
• Space Saving: The integrated design of the LCD display and I2C module saves space on the breadboard or PCB compared to traditional parallel interface LCD modules.
• Wide Compatibility: The HW-061 module is compatible with various microcontrollers and development boards, including Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and others, making it versatile for different projects.

Common Applications:

• DIY Electronics Projects: The HW-061 module is commonly used in DIY electronics projects for displaying sensor data, messages, and menu interfaces.
• Home Automation: It can be integrated into home automation systems for displaying status information and control interfaces.
• Weather Stations: LCD displays are often used in weather stations to show weather data such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.
• Educational Purposes: LCD displays are popular in educational settings for teaching electronics and programming concepts due to their simplicity and versatility.

Basic Coding:

Below is an example Arduino code that demonstrates how to display a custom message (“Hello, World!”) on an LCD Display (16×2) with an I2C module (HW-061) using the LiquidCrystal_I2C library:

#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>

// Set the LCD address to 0x27 for a 16 chars and 2 line display
LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);

void setup() {
  // Initialize the LCD
  lcd.init();
  // Turn on the backlight
  lcd.backlight();
  // Set the cursor to the first column of the first row
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  // Print the message
  lcd.print("Hello, World!");
}

void loop() {
  // Nothing to do here as this is a simple example
}

To present a numerical value, this code snippet closely resembles the preceding example. It undertakes familiar steps: initializing the LCD screen, activating the backlight, positioning the cursor, and subsequently displaying the number “12345” on the screen.

Below is an example Arduino code that demonstrates how to display a custom heart symbol:

#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>

// Set the LCD address to 0x27 for a 16 chars and 2 line display
LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);

// Custom heart symbol data
byte heartSymbol[8] = {
  B00000,
  B01010,
  B11111,
  B11111,
  B01110,
  B00100,
  B00000,
  B00000
};

void setup() {
  // Initialize the LCD
  lcd.init();
  // Turn on the backlight
  lcd.backlight();
  // Create a custom symbol at location 0
  lcd.createChar(0, heartSymbol);
  // Set the cursor to the first column of the first row
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  // Display the custom symbol
  lcd.write(byte(0));
}

void loop() {
  // Nothing to do here as this is a simple example
}

This code demonstrates how to create and display a custom heart symbol on an LCD display using an Arduino and the LiquidCrystal_I2C library. You can customize the heartSymbol array to create different symbols as needed for your project.

Conclusion:

This LCD display is a versatile and easy-to-use display module suitable for a wide range of Arduino projects and other electronics applications. Its combination of a 16×2 LCD display with an I2C interface simplifies wiring and makes it an ideal choice for hobbyists, educators, and professionals alike.