How to Use Custom OLED: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Custom OLED is a high-resolution organic light-emitting diode display designed to deliver vibrant colors and exceptional visual clarity. Its low power consumption and compact form factor make it ideal for portable devices, wearables, and applications requiring flexible display options. The Custom OLED is widely used in consumer electronics, IoT devices, and embedded systems where high-quality visuals are essential.

• Smartwatches and fitness trackers
• Portable medical devices
• IoT dashboards and control panels
• Consumer electronics (e.g., MP3 players, cameras)
• Prototyping with microcontrollers like Arduino and Raspberry Pi

Below are the key technical details of the Custom OLED display:

The Custom OLED typically comes with a 4-pin or 7-pin interface, depending on the communication protocol (I2C or SPI). Below is the pin configuration for both modes:

The Custom OLED can be easily interfaced with an Arduino UNO using the I2C protocol. Follow these steps to set up the display:

1. Wiring:

   • Connect the GND pin of the OLED to the GND pin on the Arduino.
   • Connect the VCC pin of the OLED to the 5V pin on the Arduino.
   • Connect the SCL pin of the OLED to the A5 pin on the Arduino (I2C clock).
   • Connect the SDA pin of the OLED to the A4 pin on the Arduino (I2C data).

2. Install Required Libraries:

   • Download and install the Adafruit_GFX and Adafruit_SSD1306 libraries from the Arduino Library Manager.

3. Example Code: Use the following code to display text on the Custom OLED:

   // Include necessary libraries
   #include <Wire.h>
   #include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
   #include <Adafruit_SSD1306.h>
   
   // Define OLED display width and height
   #define SCREEN_WIDTH 128
   #define SCREEN_HEIGHT 64
   
   // Create an instance of the display object
   Adafruit_SSD1306 display(SCREEN_WIDTH, SCREEN_HEIGHT, &Wire, -1);
   
   void setup() {
     // Initialize the display
     if (!display.begin(SSD1306_I2C_ADDRESS, 0x3C)) {
       // Display initialization failed
       Serial.println(F("SSD1306 allocation failed"));
       for (;;); // Halt execution
     }
   
     // Clear the display buffer
     display.clearDisplay();
   
     // Set text size and color
     display.setTextSize(1); // Normal 1:1 pixel scale
     display.setTextColor(SSD1306_WHITE);
   
     // Display a message
     display.setCursor(0, 0); // Start at top-left corner
     display.println(F("Hello, Custom OLED!"));
     display.display(); // Render the text
   }
   
   void loop() {
     // Nothing to do here
   }
   

• Ensure the OLED's operating voltage matches your microcontroller's logic level (3.3V or 5V).
• Use pull-up resistors (4.7kΩ to 10kΩ) on the I2C lines (SCL and SDA) if not already included on the OLED module.
• Avoid exposing the OLED to direct sunlight for extended periods, as it may degrade the display.

1. The display does not turn on:

   • Verify the wiring connections and ensure the power supply is stable.
   • Check if the I2C address (default: 0x3C) matches the one in your code.

2. Text or graphics are not displayed correctly:

   • Ensure the correct resolution (128x64) is defined in the code.
   • Confirm that the appropriate libraries (Adafruit_GFX and Adafruit_SSD1306) are installed and up to date.

3. Flickering or unstable display:

   • Check for loose connections or poor soldering on the pins.
   • Use a decoupling capacitor (e.g., 0.1µF) across the power supply pins to reduce noise.

4. The display is too dim:

   • Verify the power supply voltage is within the specified range.
   • Adjust the contrast settings in the library if supported.

• Q: Can I use the Custom OLED with a Raspberry Pi?
  A: Yes, the Custom OLED is compatible with Raspberry Pi via I2C or SPI. Use the appropriate libraries like luma.oled for Python.

• Q: How do I change the I2C address of the OLED?
  A: Some OLED modules have solder jumpers on the back to modify the I2C address. Refer to the module's datasheet for details.

• Q: Can the Custom OLED display images?
  A: Yes, you can display images by converting them into a bitmap format and using the Adafruit_GFX library to render them.

By following this documentation, you can effectively integrate the Custom OLED into your projects and troubleshoot common issues with ease.