How to Use 1.28" Round LCD, ESP32-S3 Board: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The 1.28" Round LCD, ESP32-S3 Board by Waveshare is a compact and versatile development board that integrates an ESP32-S3 microcontroller with a 1.28-inch round LCD display. This board is designed for IoT applications, wearable devices, and projects requiring a visually appealing display. The ESP32-S3 microcontroller provides dual-core processing power, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity, making it ideal for a wide range of applications.

• Wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, fitness trackers)
• IoT projects with graphical interfaces
• Home automation systems
• Portable monitoring devices
• Educational and prototyping projects

1. Power the Board: Connect the 3.3V pin to a 3.3V power source or use the USB Type-C port for power.
2. Connect SPI Interface: Use the SPI pins (SCK, MOSI, MISO, CS) to interface with the LCD display.
3. Control the LCD: Use the DC, RST, and BL pins to manage the display's data/command mode, reset, and backlight.
4. Program the ESP32-S3: Use the USB Type-C port to upload code to the ESP32-S3 microcontroller.

• Ensure the power supply provides a stable 3.3V to avoid damaging the board.
• Use appropriate pull-up or pull-down resistors for unused GPIO pins to prevent floating states.
• When using the LCD, ensure the SPI clock frequency does not exceed the display's maximum supported frequency.
• Avoid exposing the board to static electricity or moisture to prevent damage.

Below is an example of how to interface the 1.28" Round LCD with the ESP32-S3 using the Arduino IDE:

#include <SPI.h>
#include <TFT_eSPI.h> // Include the TFT library for the LCD

// Define pins for the LCD
#define TFT_CS   22  // Chip Select pin
#define TFT_DC   23  // Data/Command pin
#define TFT_RST  25  // Reset pin
#define TFT_BL   26  // Backlight pin

// Initialize the TFT display
TFT_eSPI tft = TFT_eSPI();

void setup() {
  // Initialize serial communication for debugging
  Serial.begin(115200);
  
  // Initialize the LCD
  tft.init();
  tft.setRotation(0); // Set display orientation
  
  // Turn on the backlight
  pinMode(TFT_BL, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(TFT_BL, HIGH);
  
  // Display a message
  tft.fillScreen(TFT_BLACK); // Clear the screen
  tft.setTextColor(TFT_WHITE, TFT_BLACK); // Set text color
  tft.setTextSize(2); // Set text size
  tft.setCursor(10, 10); // Set cursor position
  tft.println("Hello, World!"); // Print message
}

void loop() {
  // Add your main code here
}

1. LCD Not Displaying Anything:

   • Ensure the SPI connections are correct and secure.
   • Verify that the backlight pin (BL) is set to HIGH.
   • Check the power supply voltage (3.3V).

2. ESP32-S3 Not Recognized by Computer:

   • Ensure the USB cable is functional and supports data transfer.
   • Install the correct USB drivers for the ESP32-S3.

3. Flickering or Distorted Display:

   • Reduce the SPI clock frequency in the code.
   • Check for loose or faulty connections.

4. Touch Panel Not Responding (if applicable):

   • Verify the interrupt pin connection.
   • Ensure the touch panel library is correctly installed.

• Use a multimeter to check for proper voltage levels on the power and SPI pins.
• Update the ESP32-S3 firmware and libraries to the latest versions.
• Test the board with a simple example code to isolate issues.
• Refer to the Waveshare documentation for additional support and resources.