How to Use Nokia 5110 LCD: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Nokia 5110 LCD is a compact graphical display module originally used in Nokia 5110 mobile phones. It features a resolution of 84x48 pixels, making it ideal for displaying text, simple graphics, and custom icons in embedded systems. This LCD is lightweight, power-efficient, and easy to interface with microcontrollers, making it a popular choice for hobbyists and professionals alike.

• Displaying sensor data in IoT projects
• Creating graphical user interfaces for embedded systems
• Visualizing data in robotics and automation projects
• Educational projects and prototyping

The Nokia 5110 LCD is based on the PCD8544 controller, which simplifies communication with microcontrollers. Below are the key technical details:

The Nokia 5110 LCD has 8 pins, as described in the table below:

1. Power Supply: Connect the VCC pin to a 3.3V power source and the GND pin to ground.
2. SPI Communication: Connect the DIN, CLK, and CE pins to the corresponding SPI pins on your microcontroller.
3. Control Pins: Connect the RST and DC pins to GPIO pins on your microcontroller for reset and data/command control.
4. Backlight (Optional): If you want to use the backlight, connect the BL pin to 3.3V through a current-limiting resistor (e.g., 330Ω).

• Voltage Levels: Ensure all signal lines operate at 3.3V logic levels. If using a 5V microcontroller (e.g., Arduino UNO), use level shifters or resistors to step down the voltage.
• Backlight Power: The backlight is optional and can be omitted to save power.
• Initialization: The display requires proper initialization commands to function correctly. Use a library or write your own initialization code.

Below is an example of how to use the Nokia 5110 LCD with an Arduino UNO. This code uses the popular Adafruit_PCD8544 library.

#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>       // Graphics library for drawing shapes and text
#include <Adafruit_PCD8544.h>   // Library for Nokia 5110 LCD

// Pin definitions for the Nokia 5110 LCD
#define RST_PIN  8  // Reset pin
#define CE_PIN   7  // Chip Enable pin
#define DC_PIN   6  // Data/Command pin
#define DIN_PIN  5  // Data Input pin
#define CLK_PIN  4  // Clock pin

// Create an instance of the display
Adafruit_PCD8544 display = Adafruit_PCD8544(CLK_PIN, DIN_PIN, DC_PIN, CE_PIN, RST_PIN);

void setup() {
  // Initialize the display
  display.begin();
  display.setContrast(50);  // Adjust contrast (0-100)

  // Clear the display buffer
  display.clearDisplay();

  // Display a message
  display.setTextSize(1);       // Set text size (1 = small, 2 = large)
  display.setTextColor(BLACK); // Set text color
  display.setCursor(0, 0);     // Set cursor position (x, y)
  display.println("Hello, World!");
  display.display();           // Update the display with the buffer content
}

void loop() {
  // Nothing to do here
}

• Install the Adafruit_GFX and Adafruit_PCD8544 libraries via the Arduino Library Manager before running the code.
• Adjust the contrast value in the setContrast() function to suit your display.

1. Display Not Turning On:

   • Ensure the VCC and GND pins are properly connected.
   • Verify that the backlight pin (BL) is connected correctly if using the backlight.

2. No Output on the Screen:

   • Check the SPI connections (DIN, CLK, CE) and ensure they match the microcontroller pins.
   • Verify that the RST and DC pins are correctly connected and controlled in the code.

3. Faint or No Text/Graphics:

   • Adjust the contrast using the setContrast() function in the code.
   • Ensure the power supply voltage is stable and within the specified range.

4. Flickering or Unstable Display:

   • Use shorter wires for SPI connections to reduce noise.
   • Add decoupling capacitors (e.g., 0.1µF) near the VCC and GND pins.

Q: Can I use the Nokia 5110 LCD with a 5V microcontroller?
A: Yes, but you must use level shifters or resistors to step down the 5V logic signals to 3.3V.

Q: How do I display custom graphics?
A: Use the Adafruit_GFX library to draw shapes or convert images to a bitmap format compatible with the display.

Q: Can I control the backlight brightness?
A: Yes, by connecting the BL pin to a PWM-capable pin on your microcontroller and using PWM to adjust brightness.

Q: Is the display suitable for outdoor use?
A: The Nokia 5110 LCD is not designed for outdoor use and may be difficult to read in bright sunlight.

This concludes the documentation for the Nokia 5110 LCD.