VK204-25 Technical Manual Revision: 2.
Contents Contents 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 2 6 6 7 7 Hardware Information 2.1 DB-9 Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1.
5.8 5.9 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 24 24 24 25 25 Special Characters 6.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.
10 Display Functions 10.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . 10.2 Display On . . . . . . . . . . 10.3 Display Off . . . . . . . . . . 10.4 Set VFD Brightness . . . . . . 10.5 Set and Save VFD Brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 Getting Started Figure 1: VK204-25 The VK204-25 is an intelligent VFD display designed to decrease development time by providing an instant solution to any project. With the ability to communicate via serial RS-232/TTL and I2 C protocols, the versatile VK204-25 can be used with virtually any controller. The ease of use is further enhanced by an intuitive command structure to allow display settings such as brightness, and baud rate to be software controlled.
1.2 Accessories NOTE Matrix Orbital provides all the interface accessories needed to get your display up and running. You will find these accessories and others on our e-commerce website at http://www.matrixorbital.com. To contact a sales associate see Section 14.5 on page 56 for contact information.
Figure 5: Breadboard Cable Figure 6: Serial Cable 4FT Matrix Orbital VK204-25 3
Figure 7: Communication and 5V Power Cable Figure 8: Aluminum Mountings Matrix Orbital VK204-25 4
Figure 9: Keypad Mountings Figure 10: 4X4 Keypad Matrix Orbital VK204-25 5
1.3 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1.4 Features 20 column by 4 line alphanumeric vacuum fluorescent display Selectable communication protocol, RS-232 or I2 C Optional One-wire interface Six, 5V -20mA, general purpose outputs for a variety of applications Lightning fast communication speeds, up to 57.6 kbps for RS-232 and 400 kbps for I2 C Default 19.
WARNING DO NOT use the standard floppy drive power connector, as this will not provide you with the correct voltage and will damage the display module. Figure 11: PC vs Matrix Orbital Display Module Wiring 1.5 Installing the Software 1.5.1 uProject uProject was designed by Matrix Orbital to provide a simple and easy to use interface that will allow you to test all of the features of our alpha numeric displays. To install uProject from the Matrix Orbital CD, follow the following steps: 1.
Comport Baudrate The serial port the display is plugged in to. The communication speed the display module is set to. (Default 19,200) Figure 12: uProject Settings NOTES • uProject and other alphanumeric software may also be downloaded from Matrix Orbital’s support site at http://www.matrixorbital.
1 DB-9 Connector 2 Power Through DB9 Jumper 3 GPOs 4 Manual Override 5 Power / Data Connector 6 Keypad Interface 7 Protocol Select Jumpers 8 Optional Dallas 1-Wire Bridge Figure 13: VK204-25 2.1 DB-9 Connector The VK204-25 provides a DB-9 Connector to readily interface with serial devices which use the EIA232 standard signal levels of ±12V to ±12V. It is also possible to communicate at TTL levels of 0 to +5V by setting the Protocol Select Jumpers to TTL.
2.1.1 Power Through DB-9 Jumper In order to provide power through pin 9 of the DB-9 Connector you must place a solder jumper on the Power through DB-9 Jumper pictured in figure 15 below. The VK204-25 allows all voltage models to use the power through DB-9 option, see table 1 on the following page for display module voltage requirements. Figure 15: Power Through DB-9 Jumper WARNING Do not apply voltage through pin 9 of the DB-9 connector AND through the Power/Data Connector at the same time. 2.
Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3 Pin 4 PWR (See table 1) Rx \ SCL (I2 C clock) Tx \ SDA (I2 C data) GND Figure 16: Power Connector and Pin out Supply Voltage Supply Current Inrush Table 1: Power Requirements Standard -V +5Vdc ±0.25V +9V to +15V 148 mA typical 148 mA -VPT +9V to +35V WARNINGS • Do not apply any power with reversed polarization. • Do not apply any voltage other than the specified voltage. 2.
Figure 17: Protocol Select Jumpers 2.4 General Purpose Outputs A unique feature of the VK204-25 is the ability to control relays and other external devices using a General Purpose Output, which can provide up to 20 mA of current and +5Vdc from the positive side of the GPO. This is limited by a 240 ohm resistor which is located directly above the positive pin as pictured below in figure 21.
WARNING If connecting a relay, be sure that it is fully clamped using a diode and capacitor in order to absorb any electro-motive force (EMF) which will be generated. 2.5 Dallas 1-Wire Bridge In addition to the six general purpose outputs the VK204-25 offers a Dallas 1-wire bridge, to allow for an aditional thirty two 1-wire devices to be connected to the display. Please note that the display normally does not come with the Dallas 1-wire bridge. It will have to be ordered as a custom.
1. Power off the display module. 2. Place a Jumper on the Manual Override pins. 3. Power up the display module. 4. The display module is now set to its default values listed below in table 2. 5. Edit and save settings. Figure 20: Manual Override Jumper Table 2: Default Values Brightness 0x03 Baud Rate 19.2 kbps I2 C Slave Address 0x50 Data Lock False RS232AutoTransmitData True NOTE The display module will revert back to the old settings once turned off, unless the settings are saved.
2.7 Keypad Interface Connector The VK204-25 provides a Keypad Interface Connector which allows for up to a five by five matrix style keypad to be directly connected to the display module. Key presses are generated when a short is detected between a row and a column. When a key press is generated a character, which is associated with the particular key press, is automatically sent on the Tx communication line.
ohm meter, try using a different power cable, if this does not help try using a different power supply. • The last step will be to check the Power / Data Connector on the VK204-25. If the Power / Data Connector has become loose, or you are unable to resolve the issue, please contact Matrix Orbital, see 14.5 on page 56 for contact information. 3.2 The display module is not communicating. • First, check the communication cable for continuity.
to inform the module that its responses are to be output via I2 C. This can be done by sending command 254 /160 / 0 to turn off auto transmission of data in RS232. This will keep the data in the buffer until the master clocks a read of the slave. The I2 C data lines operate at 5V normally or 3.3V for -1U style units. The VK204-25 uses 8-bit addressing, with the 8th or Least Significant Bit (LSB) bit designated as the read/write bit, a 0 designates a write address and a 1 designates a read address.
Table 3: I2 C Transaction Algorithm START Toggle SDA high to low Address 0x50 Information 0x48 0x45 0x4C 0x4C 0x4F STOP Toggle SDA low to high 4.1.3 Serial Communication In addition to being able to communicate via I2 C the VK204-25 communicates natively through the RS-232 protocol at at a default baud rate of 19,200 bps and is capable of standard baud rates from 9600 to 115,200 bps.
Parameters Description Parameter speed Description Hex value corresponding to a baud rate. This command sets the RS-232 port to the specified [speed]. The change takes place immediately. [speed] is a single byte specifying the desired port speed. Valid speeds are shown in the table below. The display module can be manually reset to 19,200 baud in the event of an error during transmission, including transmitting a value not listed below, by setting the manual override jumper during power up.
Remembered Examples Always Crystal Speed 16 Mhz Desired BAUD 13,500 speed = crystalspeed −1 8 ∗ DesiredBaud speed = 148.15 − 1 speed = 16, 000, 000 −1 8 ∗ 13, 500 speed = 147.15 • LSB = 0x93 (rounded) • MSB = 0x00 • Intended Baud Rate: 13,500 baud Actual Baud Rate: 16,000,000 =13,514 Percent Difference: 0.1% 8(147+1) NOTES • Results from the formula are rounded down to the nearest whole number (i.e 73.07 = 73). • This formula becomes less acurate as baud rates increase, due to rounding.
5.1.1 Character Set Figure 22: Character Set 5.1.2 Control Characters In addition to a full text set, the VK204-25 display supports the following ASCII Control characters: 0x08 Backspace 0x0C Clear screen / New page 0x0D Carriage return 0x0A Line feed / New line 5.
Syntax Description Remembered Default 5.3 Description Remembered Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x52 Decimal 254 82 ASCII 254 “R” When auto scrolling is disabled the text will wrap to the top left corner of the display area when the text reaches the end of last row. Yes Clear Screen Description Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x58 Decimal 254 88 ASCII 254 “X” This command will immediately clear all of the contents of the display. Remembered No Syntax 5.5 Yes On Auto Scroll Off Syntax 5.
5.6 Set Auto Line Wrap On Syntax Description Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x43 Decimal 254 67 ASCII 254 “C” Enabling Auto Line Wrap will allow the cursor to automatically wrap over to the next line when the current line is full. NOTE Line wraps may occur in the middle of a word. Remembered 5.7 Set Auto Line Wrap Off Syntax Description Remembered 5.8 Yes Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x44 Decimal 254 68 ASCII 254 “D” Disabling Auto Line Wrap will allow you to change the line configuration.
Description This command will allow you to manually set the cursor position, which controls the text insertion point, by specifying the [col] and [row] of the new proposed cursor position. NOTE If the cursor position is set past the end of a line it will wrap to the beginning of the next line. Remembered 5.
Description This command will move the cursor forward one space. If this command is sent when the cursor is at the bottom right position the cursor will wrap back to the home position if line wrap is on. Sending this command will not effect the text displayed on the module, however any characters that are sent will over write the current characters that are being displayed. Remembered No 5.
Syntax Parameters Description Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x4E [refID] [data] Decimal 254 78 [refID] [data] ASCII 254 “N” [refID] [data] Parameter Length Description refID 1 Character reference ID (0-7). data 8 Character data. The VK204-25 allows for upta to eight custom defined characters to be added onto the the character set. A custom character is a five by eight pixel matrix with each row represented by a byte value. For example: 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Remembered 6.
Description New to the VK204-25 has added five non-volatile memory banks for custom character storage. This is intended to allow you to create your own custom bar graphs, medium/large numbers and startup screen. However, each memory bank may be used to store a set of any eight custom characters; with the only provision being that memory bank zero contains the characters that will be used in the startup screen. By default the memory banks will be loaded as follows: [Bank] 0 1 2 3 4 Remembered 6.
Description Using this command you may create the custom characters. that will be stored in memory bank zero, which will be used in the startup screen. For more information about creating custom characters see Section 6.2 on page 25. NOTES • Changes only take place once the power has been cycled. • This command is the same as sending CMD 254 / 193 / 0 / [ID] / [DATA] Remembered 6.6 Initialize Medium Number Syntax Description Remembered 6.
6.8 Initialize Large Numbers Syntax Description Remembered 6.9 Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x6E Decimal 254 110 ASCII 254 “n” This command will load the default large number characters into the volatile memory. If you have stored your own custom large numbers, use the ’Load Custom Characters’ command instead to load your custom character data into the volatile memory. This command will allow you to use the ’Place Large Numbers’ command.
6.11 Place Horizontal Bar Graph Syntax Parameters Description Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Parameter Col Row Dir 0xFE 0x7C [Col] [Row] [Dir] [Length] 254 124 [Col] [Row] [Dir] [Length] 254 “|” [Col] [Row] [Dir] [Length] Length Description 1 The column number. 1 The row number. 1 The direction of the bar data (0 or 1). Length 1 The length of the bar data. This command will place a bar graph at [row], [column]. A [Dir] value of zero will cause the bar to go right, and one will cause the bar to go left.
Syntax Description Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x76 Decimal 254 118 ASCII 254 “v” This command will load the wide vertical bar characters into the volatile memory. If you have stored your own custom vertical bar data, use the ’Load Custom Characters’ command instead to load your custom bar data into the volatile memory. This command will allow you to use the ’Place Vertical Bar’ command. NOTE Wide bars have a width of five pixels. Remembered No 6.
7.2 General Purpose Output Off Syntax Parameters Description Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x56 [Num] Decimal 254 86 [Num] ASCII 254 “V” [Num] Parameter Length Description Num 1 GPO number. This command turns OFF general purpose output [num]. NOTE OFF means that the output is pulled LOW. Remembered 7.3 Yes General Purpose Output On Syntax Parameters Description Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x57 [Num] Decimal 254 87 [Num] ASCII 254 “W” [Num] Parameter Length Description Num 1 GPO number.
Description This command will set the startup state for the GPO on the next power up. A value of one will cause the GPO to be off on the next startup while a value of one will cause the GPO to be on. NOTE This command does not affect the current state of the GPO. Remembered 8 8.1 Always Dallas 1-Wire Introduction Another convenient feature of the VK204-25 is that it provides a Dallas 1-wire interface in order to readily communicate with up to thirty two 1-wire devices on a single bus.
Description This command will allow you to begin communicating with the devices on the 1-wire bus by returning a packet containing device information for each 1-wire device on the bus in the form of: Search Return Packet Offset (Bytes) 0 Offset (Bytes) 2 Description 0x232A Preamble 2 1 0x8A Packet is 10 bytes long, another address will follow 0x0A Packet is 10 bytes long, this is the last address 3 4 5 13 1 1 8 1 0x31 - 1-Wire Packet Type Error Code (0x00 for success) 1-Wire Address CRC8 0x00 means
Description This command will perform a single transaction on the 1-wire bus in this order: 1. Bus Reset. 2. Transmit data onto the bus. 3. Receive data from the bus. The number of bits to be transmitted and read must be specified for this command to be successful. NOTE To determine what functions the device will respond to, consult the devices’ data sheet.
connector. The keypad is scanned whenever a key is pressed;there is no continuous key scan. This means that key presses are dealt with immediately without any appreciable latency. This also prevents electrical noise which is often caused by continuous key scans. 9.1.1 I2 C Interface The keypad is read by I2 C master read. In short, this means that a read of the module will always return the first unread key press.
Description In this mode, up to 10 key presses are buffered until the unit is polled by the host system, via the poll keypad command 254 38. Issuing this command places the unit in polled mode. NOTE This command is not available in I2 C. Remembered 9.4 Yes Poll Key Press Syntax Description Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x26 Decimal 254 38 ASCII 254 “&” This command returns any buffered key presses via the serial interface. The host system must be set up to receive key codes.
Remembered 9.6 Set Debounce Time Syntax Parameters Description Remembered Default 9.7 No Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Parameter time 0xFE 0x55 [time] 254 85 [time] 254 “U” [time] Length Description 1 Debounce time in increments of 6.554ms (0 - 255). This command sets the time between key press and key read. All key types with the exception of latched piezo switches will ’bounce’ for a varying time, depending on their physical characteristics. The [time] value is in increments of 6.554ms.
Description Two auto repeat modes are available and are set via the same command: • Resend Key Mode: 0x00 • Key Up/Down Mode: 0x01 Resend Key Mode This mode is similar to the action of a keyboard on a PC. In this mode, when a key is held down, the key code is transmitted immediately followed by a 1/2 second delay. After this delay, key codes will be sent via the RS-232 interface at a rate of about 5 codes per second. This mode has no effect if polling or if using the I2 C interface.
Parameters Description Remembered 10 Parameter Length Description KDown 25 Key down codes KUp 25 Key up codes This command will allow you to reassign the key codes that correspond to the key presses on the matrix style key pad. The first 25 bytes that are transmitted will be used for the key down codes and the next 25 bytes that are transmitted will be used for the key up codes.
10.3 Display Off Syntax Description Remembered Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x46 Decimal 254 70 ASCII 254 “F” This command turns the backlight off immediately. The backlight will remain off until a ’Display On’ command has been received. Yes 10.4 Set VFD Brightness Syntax Parameters Description Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x59 [brightness] Decimal 254 89 [brightness] ASCII 254 “Y” [brightness] Parameter Length Description brightness 1 Brightness setting (0 to 3).
Description Remembered 11 This command sets and saves the display’s brightness to [brightness], where [brightness] is a value between 0x00 and 0x03 (between 0 and 3) according to the table below: Value 0x03 0x02 0x01 0x00 Always Brightness 25% 50% 75% 100% Data Security 11.1 Introduction Ensuring that your VK204-25 display’s exactly what you want it to can be the difference between a projects success and failure.
Description This command allows you to switch the remember function on and off. To use the remember function, set remember to on, then set all of the settings that you wish to save, settings that are listed as ’Remember: Yes’ support being saved into the non-volatile memory. After you have set all of the commands that you wish to save, you may then cycle the power and check the display settings to ensure that all the settings have been saved.
Description Paranoia allows you to lock the module from displaying information, as well as enables the protection of the filesystem and module settings.
Parameters Description Remembered Default Parameter Length Description level 1 Sets the data lock level This command will set and save the data lock level. See the Data Lock section for more information. Always 0 11.5 Write Customer Data Syntax Parameters Description Remembered Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x34 [data] Decimal 254 52 [data] ASCII 254 “4” [data] Parameter Length Description data 16 Writes the customer data Writes the customer Data. 16 Bytes of data can be saved in non-volatile memory. No 11.
Syntax Description Hexadecimal 0xFE 0x36 Decimal 254 54 ASCII 254 “6” This command will return a byte representing the version of the module, see the following table as an example: Hex Value 0x19 0x57 Remembered Version Number Version 1.9 Version 5.7 No 12.
Description Remembered Matrix Orbital This command will return a hex value corresponding to the the model number of the module see the following table: Hex 1 5 7 9 B D F 13 15 21 23 25 27 29 2B 31 33 35 37 39 3B 3D 3F 41 43 45 47 49 4B 4D 4F 51 53 55 57 5B 71 73 77 79 No Product ID LCD0821 LCD2041 LCD4041 LK204-25 VFD2021 VFD4021 VK204-25 GLC24064 GLK24064-25 Unused Unused GLK24064-16-1U-USB GLK19264-7T-1U-USB GLK12232-16-SM LK204-7T-1U LK404-AT LK402-12 LK204-25PC VK202-24-USB VK204-24-USB VK162-12 PK2
13 Command Summary 13.
Description Move Cursor Back Move Cursor Forward Blinking Block Cursor On Blinking Block Cursor Off Syntax Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII 0xFE 0x4C 254 76 254 “L” 0xFE 0x4D 254 77 254 “M” 0xFE 0x53 254 83 254 “S” 0xFE 0x54 254 84 254 “T” Page 24 24 25 25 13.
Description Initialize Narrow Vertical Bar Initialize Wide Vertical Bar Place Vertical Bar Syntax Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII 0xFE 0x73 254 115 254 “s” 0xFE 0x76 254 118 254 “v” 0xFE 0x3D [Column] [Length] 254 61 [Column] [Length] 254 “=” [Column] [Length] Page 30 30 31 13.
Description Poll Key Press Clear Key Buffer Set Debounce Time Set Auto Repeat Mode Auto Repeat Mode Off Assign Keypad Codes Syntax Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Hexadecimal Decimal 0xFE 0x26 254 38 254 “&” 0xFE 0x45 254 69 254 “E” 0xFE 0x55 [time] 254 85 [time] 254 “U” [time] 0xFE 0x7E [mode] 254 126 [mode] 254 “~” [mode] 0xFE 0x60 254 96 254 “‘” 0xFE 0xD5 [KDown] [KUp] 254 213 [KDown] [KUp] Page 37
Description Write Customer Data Read Customer Data Syntax Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII 0xFE 0x34 [data] 254 52 [data] 254 “4” [data] 0xFE 0x35 254 53 254 “5” Syntax Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII Hexadecimal Decimal ASCII 0xFE 0x36 254 54 254 “6” 0xFE 0x37 254 55 254 “7” Page 45 45 13.9 Miscellaneous Description Read Version Number Read Module Type Page 45 46 13.
Command Hex 0x4F 0x51 0x52 0x53 0x54 0x55 0x56 0x57 0x58 0x59 0x60 0x68 0x6D 0x6E 0x6F 0x73 0x76 0x7C 0x7E 0x91 0x93 0xA4 0xC0 0xC1 0xC2 Description Page Dec ASCII 79 “O” 81 “Q” 82 “R” 83 “S” 84 “T” 85 “U” 86 “V” 87 “W” 88 “X” 89 “Y” 96 “‘” 104 “h” 109 “m” 110 “n” 111 “o” 115 “s” 118 “v” 124 “|” 126 “~” 145 147 164 192 193 194 0xC3 0xC8 0xCA 195 200 202 Matrix Orbital Auto Transmit Key Presses Off Auto Scroll On Auto Scroll Off Blinking Block Cursor On Blinking Block Cursor Off Set Debounce Time Genera
14 Appendix 14.1 Specifications 14.1.1 Environmental Table 66: Environmental Specifications Standard Temperature Extended Temperature Operating Temperature -20◦ C to +70◦C -40◦ C to +85◦ C ◦ ◦ Storage Temperature -40 C to +80 C -50◦ C to +85◦ C Operating Relative Humidity 80% max non-condensing Vibration (Operating) 4.9 m/s2 XYZ directions Vibration (Non-Operating) 19.6 m/s2 XYZ directions Shock (Operating) 29.4 m/s2 XYZ directions Shock (Non-Operating) 59.3 m/s2 XYZ directions 14.1.
14.
14.3 Optical Characteristics Table 68: Optical Characteristics Number of Characters 40 (20 characters by 2 lines) Matrix Format 5 x 7 with underline Display Area 70.8 x 20.9 Character Size 2.95 x 4.75 mm (XxY) Character Pitch 3.6 mm Line Pitch 6.1 mm Dot Size 0.55 x 0.55 mm (XxY) Dot Pitch 0.5 x 0.7 mm (XxY) Luminance 350cd/m2 (100fL) min Color of Illumination Blueish Green 14.
Revision 2.0 Revision 2.1 Revision 2.