Re: [Lcd4linux-devel] WRAP platform and LCD4Linux

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Hi there Stefan,

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stefan Krister [mailto:ste...@cr...] 
> Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 8:08 AM
> To: lcd4linux devel
> Subject: Re: [Lcd4linux-devel] WRAP platform and LCD4Linux
> 
> Hi Luis,
> 
> Luis Correia schrieb am 17.08.2006 01:10:
> >
> > For the newer kernels, things were a lot easier, and there was a 
> > scx200_acb driver which seems to work perfectly ok with it 
> (i haven't 
> > tested it myself).
> 
> My prototype is finished and I start working on the code 
> today. I'm also using uclibc and kernel 2.6 with fli4l.
> 
> > This was all fine until Till Harbaum released his LCD2USB.
> 
> Yes cool work! I would have ordered such a PCB if there is a 
> possibility not to upload the firmware by myself. I do not 
> want to order or solder a programmer for this one-time job. 
> Or are there changes in the firmware expected?
> 
> @Till - is it possible to order both a PCB and an already 
> programmed Atmega? If so, please tell me the details (price, 
> bank account ...) and i will transfer the money asap to you.

I can answer this one, if Till still has PCB's maybe he can get you 
an already programmed AVR. I had the same problem as you did,
although for other reasons i will now make my own programmer as well.

> 
> > After having assembled the components in the PCB (while 
> almost frying 
> > an LCD module), I was absolutely amazed of how well it is 
> working with 
> > the same WRAP board. The same lcd4linux.conf file produced such an 
> > incredible different results, with this new interface!!! Light years
> faster!
> 
> Fine! You are driving the PCB and the LCD from USB? Or do you 
> have a seperate voltage feed?

Everything is powered via the USB port and the LCD does have a LCD
backlight.

If need be, you could hack the WRUSB.1A and provide external +5v
though it. http://www.pcengines.ch/wrusb.htm

I have this voltage available in my own enclosure (an external
tape drive case) but it doesn't seem necessary for now. It will be however
when I assemble my two LCD's (20x2) enclosure, so that I can closely
monitor whatever happens on the router.

> 
> For my GPIO experiments I ordered some MAX619/MAX1682/MAX1683.

If you want my advice do this, get a standard 7805 voltage regulator,
remove the SMD one (near the power supply behind the minipci socket
card and solder there the wires. Then get a good heatsink and away you go.

How are you powering your WRAP? I mean how much voltage you are supplying?

> > I do however strongly recommend the LCD2USB interface for 
> those that 
> > still want to invest some time with WRAP. (no Stefan, don't waste 
> > anytime reprogramming the GPIO pins, it's worthless)
> 
> I don't tink so.
> 1st - programming the Atmel is a problem for anybody out 
> there who hasn't to do anything with Atmels before.

It isn't if you can get them already programmed.

> 2nd - using GPIO on WRAP enables the possibility to put the 
> LCD in the WRAP enclosure. O.K. not into the original one - 
> but my enclosure has enough room on the front to put a 16x2 LCD in.

Not really, although i've chosen to have mine externally, it would
fit in any enclosure that is bigger then the original (which to me 
is kind of useless since you can't even remove the CF card without
having to unscrew the board...)

> 3rd - my programming skills arn't as good as they should be. 
> It's a good project to increase them.

This is a good reason :

> 4th - there is our own fli4l-lcd package (much older than 
> lcd4linux I think). I think that implementing GPIO into that 
> tiny thing is much easier for me than starting to do that 
> with lcd4linux.

As you wish, Lcd4linux is working perfectly with LCD2USB and I2C,
no need to make any further programming.

But if you insist, i must point you again to Martin Hejl's driver
for the GPIO's on a Soekris board. (http://soekris.helj.de)

> 
> So please let me try.
> 
> MfG
> 
> Stefan

Knock yourself out.

Luis Correia   
Bering uClibc Team Member

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