How to Use Adafruit 2.4in TFT FeatherWing: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Adafruit 2.4in TFT FeatherWing is a versatile and vibrant display module that features a 2.4-inch color TFT LCD screen with a resolution of 320x240 pixels. This display is capable of showing detailed graphics and text, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications, including handheld instruments, user interfaces, and dynamic visual outputs. Its compatibility with the Adafruit Feather ecosystem allows for quick integration and prototyping with a variety of microcontrollers.

• Portable gaming consoles
• Data monitoring displays
• Interactive control panels
• DIY smartwatches
• Educational projects

• Display Type: 2.4" TFT LCD
• Resolution: 320x240 pixels
• Interface: SPI
• Touch Screen: Resistive touch overlay (optional)
• Operating Voltage: 3.3V - 5V DC
• Logic Level: 3.3V compatible

1. Power Connections: Connect the 3V pin to the 3.3V output on your Feather board and GND to ground.
2. SPI Connections: Connect SCK, MOSI, and CS to the corresponding SPI pins on your Feather board.
3. Control Pins: Connect the RST and DC pins to any available digital I/O pins on your Feather board, noting which pins you use as they will be specified in your code.
4. Backlight Control (Optional): Connect the BL pin to a PWM-capable pin if you wish to control the backlight brightness.

• Always ensure that the power supply is within the specified range to prevent damage.
• Use a level shifter if you are interfacing with a 5V logic microcontroller.
• When handling the display, be cautious not to apply pressure to the screen surface.
• For optimal performance, update the display contents sparingly to minimize flickering.

#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>    // Core graphics library
#include <Adafruit_TFTLCD.h> // Hardware-specific library

#define LCD_CS A3 // Chip Select goes to Analog 3
#define LCD_CD A2 // Command/Data goes to Analog 2
#define LCD_WR A1 // LCD Write goes to Analog 1
#define LCD_RD A0 // LCD Read goes to Analog 0
#define LCD_RESET A4 // Can alternately just connect to Arduino's reset pin

Adafruit_TFTLCD tft(LCD_CS, LCD_CD, LCD_WR, LCD_RD, LCD_RESET);

void setup() {
  tft.begin(); // Initialize the display
  tft.setRotation(1); // Set orientation
  tft.fillScreen(BLACK); // Clear the screen with a black background
}

void loop() {
  // Example: Draw a red rectangle
  tft.fillRect(50, 50, 100, 150, RED);
  delay(1000);
  
  // Example: Display text
  tft.setCursor(60, 60);
  tft.setTextColor(WHITE);  
  tft.setTextSize(2);
  tft.println("Hello, World!");
  delay(2000);
}

• Display Not Powering On: Check the power connections and ensure the voltage is within the specified range.
• No Display Output: Verify that the SPI connections are correct and that the correct pins are defined in your code.
• Flickering or Unstable Display: Reduce the frequency of screen updates or check for loose connections.

• Double-check wiring against the pin configuration table.
• Ensure that the library versions you are using are compatible with your hardware.
• If using the backlight control, ensure that the PWM signal is correctly configured.

Q: Can I use this display with a 5V microcontroller? A: Yes, but ensure that the logic levels are shifted to 3.3V to avoid damaging the display.

Q: Is the touch screen feature available by default? A: The resistive touch overlay is optional and requires additional connections and libraries if implemented.

Q: How can I control the backlight brightness? A: Connect the BL pin to a PWM-capable pin and use analogWrite() in your code to adjust the brightness.

For further assistance, consult the Adafruit forums or the detailed product guides available on the Adafruit website.