How to Use TFT Display 1.54": Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The TFT Display 1.54" is a compact, high-quality thin-film transistor (TFT) display designed for use in small electronic devices. With a diagonal measurement of 1.54 inches, this display offers vibrant colors, excellent contrast, and a resolution suitable for displaying both text and graphics. It is commonly used in applications such as handheld devices, IoT projects, smartwatches, and small-scale embedded systems.

• Wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches)
• IoT dashboards and control panels
• Portable gaming consoles
• Home automation displays
• Educational and hobbyist projects with microcontrollers (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi)

Below are the key technical details of the TFT Display 1.54":

The TFT Display 1.54" typically has an 8-pin interface. Below is the pinout description:

To use the TFT Display 1.54" with an Arduino UNO, follow these steps:

1. Wiring the Display: Connect the pins of the TFT display to the Arduino UNO as shown below:

   TFT Pin	Arduino Pin
   GND	GND
   VCC	3.3V
   SCL	D13 (SCK)
   SDA	D11 (MOSI)
   RES	D8
   DC	D9
   CS	D10
   BLK	3.3V or PWM Pin

2. Install Required Libraries:

   • Install the Adafruit_GFX and Adafruit_ST7789 libraries from the Arduino Library Manager.

3. Upload Example Code: Use the following example code to display a simple graphic on the screen:

   // Include necessary libraries
   #include <Adafruit_GFX.h>       // Core graphics library
   #include <Adafruit_ST7789.h>   // ST7789 driver library
   #include <SPI.h>               // SPI communication library
   
   // Define TFT pins
   #define TFT_CS    10  // Chip Select pin
   #define TFT_RST   8   // Reset pin
   #define TFT_DC    9   // Data/Command pin
   
   // Initialize the display object
   Adafruit_ST7789 tft = Adafruit_ST7789(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);
   
   void setup() {
     // Initialize the display
     tft.init(240, 240);  // Initialize with 240x240 resolution
     tft.setRotation(1);  // Set display orientation (1 = landscape)
   
     // Fill the screen with a solid color
     tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);
   
     // Draw a red rectangle
     tft.fillRect(50, 50, 140, 140, ST77XX_RED);
   
     // Display text
     tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_WHITE);
     tft.setTextSize(2);
     tft.setCursor(60, 100);
     tft.print("Hello!");
   }
   
   void loop() {
     // Nothing to do here
   }
   

• Voltage Levels: Ensure the display operates at 3.3V. If using a 5V microcontroller, use a level shifter for the SPI lines.
• Backlight Control: The backlight pin (BLK) can be connected to a PWM pin for brightness control.
• SPI Speed: The SPI clock speed should not exceed the maximum supported by the display (typically 10-15 MHz).

1. The display does not turn on:

   • Verify all connections, especially the power (VCC and GND) and SPI lines.
   • Ensure the backlight pin (BLK) is connected to 3.3V or a PWM pin.

2. The screen is blank or flickering:

   • Check the SPI connections (SCL, SDA, CS, DC) for loose or incorrect wiring.
   • Ensure the correct driver library (Adafruit_ST7789) is installed and used.

3. Text or graphics appear distorted:

   • Verify the resolution and orientation settings in the code.
   • Ensure the tft.init(240, 240) function is called with the correct resolution.

4. The display is not responding to commands:

   • Confirm the CS pin is correctly connected and set to LOW during communication.
   • Check the reset pin (RES) connection and ensure it is not floating.

Q: Can I use this display with a 5V microcontroller?
A: Yes, but you must use a level shifter to convert the 5V logic signals to 3.3V for the SPI lines.

Q: How do I control the brightness of the backlight?
A: Connect the BLK pin to a PWM-capable pin on your microcontroller and use analogWrite() to adjust brightness.

Q: Can I use this display with a Raspberry Pi?
A: Yes, the display is compatible with Raspberry Pi. Use the SPI interface and appropriate libraries (e.g., ST7789 Python library).

By following this documentation, you can successfully integrate and use the TFT Display 1.54" in your projects!