How to Use Waveshare 2.8 Inch TFT: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Waveshare 2.8 Inch TFT display module is a compact and versatile display screen that measures 2.8 inches diagonally. It is designed for use in a wide range of electronic projects, providing a high-quality visual output that can display images, text, and graphics. Common applications include handheld instruments, touch-enabled control panels, and user interfaces for various embedded systems.

• Display Size: 2.8 inches
• Display Resolution: 320 x 240 pixels
• Color Depth: 65K colors
• Interface: SPI
• Touch Screen: Resistive touch panel
• Onboard Controller: ILI9341

• Operating Voltage: 3.3V
• Logic Level Voltage: 3.3V / 5V compatible
• Current Consumption: TBD (depends on backlight brightness and usage)

To use the Waveshare 2.8 Inch TFT display with an Arduino UNO, follow these steps:

1. Connect the display module's VCC pin to the Arduino's 3.3V output.
2. Connect the GND pin to the Arduino's ground.
3. Connect the CS, RESET, D/C, MOSI, SCK, and LED pins to digital pins on the Arduino as per your design. The LED pin can be connected to a PWM-capable pin for backlight control.
4. If using the touch functionality, connect T_CLK, T_CS, T_DIN, T_DO, and T_IRQ to additional digital pins on the Arduino.

To control the display, you will need to include libraries that support the ILI9341 controller and SPI communication. The Adafruit_ILI9341 and Adafruit_GFX libraries are commonly used for this purpose.

Here is a basic example of initializing the display and drawing some text:

#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>    // Core graphics library
#include <Adafruit_ILI9341.h> // Hardware-specific library

// Pin definitions
#define TFT_CS     10
#define TFT_RST    9
#define TFT_DC     8

// Initialize the display
Adafruit_ILI9341 tft = Adafruit_ILI9341(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);

void setup() {
  tft.begin(); // Initialize the display
  tft.setRotation(1); // Set the orientation

  // Fill the screen with black color
  tft.fillScreen(ILI9341_BLACK);

  // Set the text color to white with black background
  tft.setTextColor(ILI9341_WHITE, ILI9341_BLACK);
  tft.setTextSize(1); // Set the text size

  // Set the cursor position and print a message
  tft.setCursor(0, 0);
  tft.println("Hello, World!");
}

void loop() {
  // Main loop body (if needed)
}

• Always ensure that the power supply voltage and logic levels are compatible with the display module to prevent damage.
• Use a level shifter if you are interfacing with a 5V microcontroller.
• When using the touch functionality, calibrate the touch screen for accurate touch detection.
• Avoid exposing the display to direct sunlight or high temperatures to prevent damage to the screen.

• Display not powering on: Check the connections to VCC and GND, and ensure that the power supply is at the correct voltage.
• No display output: Verify that the SPI connections are correct and that the correct pins are being used in your code.
• Touch not responsive: Ensure that the touch panel pins are correctly connected and that the touch controller is properly initialized in your code.

• Double-check all wiring against the pin configuration table.
• Use serial debugging to check if the display is initialized correctly.
• Make sure to use the correct libraries and that they are up to date.

Q: Can I use this display with a 5V microcontroller? A: Yes, but you will need to use a level shifter to convert the 5V logic levels to 3.3V to avoid damaging the display.

Q: How can I control the backlight brightness? A: You can control the backlight brightness by connecting the LED pin to a PWM-capable pin on your microcontroller and adjusting the duty cycle.

Q: Is the touch panel calibrated out of the box? A: The touch panel may require calibration for accurate touch detection. This can typically be done through software using a calibration sketch.

This documentation provides a starting point for integrating the Waveshare 2.8 Inch TFT display module into your projects. For more detailed information, consult the datasheet and additional resources provided by Waveshare.