LCD Programming Example using Assembly Language

Eight-bit interface using software time delays.

This is a somewhat more flexible version of the basic program.   At the expense of more complicated programming the eight data lines as well as the Enable and Register Select lines may be implemented on any available I/O pin of any port.

The source code is here.
A similar program written in 'C' is here.
A similar program written for the Arduino IDE is here.
The list of all LCD programming examples is here.

; *************************************************************************** ; LCD-AVR-8d.asm - Use an HD44780U based LCD with an Atmel ATmega processor ; ; Copyright (C) 2013 Donald Weiman (weimandn@alfredstate.edu) ; ; This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify ; it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by ; the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or ; (at your option) any later version. ; ; This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, ; but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of ; MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the ; GNU General Public License for more details. ; ; You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License ; along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>. ; ; *************************************************************************** ; File: LCD-AVR-8d.asm ; Date: September 9, 2013 ; ; Target: ATmega328 ; Assembler: Atmel AvrAssembler2 (AVR Studio 6) ; Author: Donald Weiman ; ; Summary: 8-bit data interface, busy flag not implemented. ; Any LCD pin can be connected to any available I/O port. ; Includes a simple write string routine. ; ; ****************************** Program Notes ****************************** ; ; This program uses an 8-bit data interface but does not use the ; busy flag to determine when the LCD controller is ready. The ; LCD RW line (pin 5) is not connected to the uP and it must be ; connected to GND for the program to function. ; ; All time delays are longer than those specified in most datasheets ; in order to accommodate slower than normal LCD modules. This ; requirement is well documented but almost always ignored. The ; information is in a note at the bottom of the right hand ; (Execution Time) column of the instruction set. ; ; *************************************************************************** ; ; The eight data lines as well as the two control lines may be ; implemented on any available I/O pin of any port. These are ; the connections used for this program: ; ; ----------- ---------- ; | ATmega328 | | LCD | ; | | | | ; | PD7|---------------->|D7 | ; | PD6|---------------->|D6 | ; | PD5|---------------->|D5 | ; | PD4|---------------->|D4 | ; | PD3|---------------->|D3 | ; | PD2|---------------->|D2 | ; | PD1|---------------->|D1 | ; | PD0|---------------->|D0 | ; | | | | ; | PB1|---------------->|E | ; | | GND --->|RW | ; | PB0|---------------->|RS | ; ----------- ---------- ; ; *************************************************************************** /* ; Studio 6 handles this by default ;.nolist ;.include "m328def.inc" ;.list */ .equ fclk = 16000000 ; system clock frequency (for delays) ; register usage .def temp = R16 ; temporary storage ; LCD interface (should agree with the diagram above) ; make sure that the LCD RW pin is connected to GND .equ lcd_D7_port = PORTD ; lcd D7 connection .equ lcd_D7_bit = PORTD7 .equ lcd_D7_ddr = DDRD .equ lcd_D6_port = PORTD ; lcd D6 connection .equ lcd_D6_bit = PORTD6 .equ lcd_D6_ddr = DDRD .equ lcd_D5_port = PORTD ; lcd D5 connection .equ lcd_D5_bit = PORTD5 .equ lcd_D5_ddr = DDRD .equ lcd_D4_port = PORTD ; lcd D4 connection .equ lcd_D4_bit = PORTD4 .equ lcd_D4_ddr = DDRD .equ lcd_D3_port = PORTD ; lcd D3 connection .equ lcd_D3_bit = PORTD3 .equ lcd_D3_ddr = DDRD .equ lcd_D2_port = PORTD ; lcd D2 connection .equ lcd_D2_bit = PORTD2 .equ lcd_D2_ddr = DDRD .equ lcd_D1_port = PORTD ; lcd D1 connection .equ lcd_D1_bit = PORTD1 .equ lcd_D1_ddr = DDRD .equ lcd_D0_port = PORTD ; lcd D0 connection .equ lcd_D0_bit = PORTD0 .equ lcd_D0_ddr = DDRD .equ lcd_E_port = PORTB ; lcd Enable pin .equ lcd_E_bit = PORTB1 .equ lcd_E_ddr = DDRB .equ lcd_RS_port = PORTB ; lcd Register Select pin .equ lcd_RS_bit = PORTB0 .equ lcd_RS_ddr = DDRB ; LCD module information .equ lcd_LineOne = 0x00 ; start of line 1 .equ lcd_LineTwo = 0x40 ; start of line 2 ;.equ lcd_LineThree = 0x14 ; start of line 3 (20x4) ;.equ lcd_lineFour = 0x54 ; start of line 4 (20x4) ;.equ lcd_LineThree = 0x10 ; start of line 3 (16x4) ;.equ lcd_lineFour = 0x50 ; start of line 4 (16x4) ; LCD instructions .equ lcd_Clear = 0b00000001 ; replace all characters with ASCII 'space' .equ lcd_Home = 0b00000010 ; return cursor to first position on first line .equ lcd_EntryMode = 0b00000110 ; shift cursor from left to right on read/write .equ lcd_DisplayOff = 0b00001000 ; turn display off .equ lcd_DisplayOn = 0b00001100 ; display on, cursor off, don't blink character .equ lcd_FunctionReset = 0b00110000 ; reset the LCD .equ lcd_FunctionSet8bit = 0b00111000 ; 8-bit data, 2-line display, 5 x 7 font .equ lcd_SetCursor = 0b10000000 ; set cursor position ; ****************************** Reset Vector ******************************* .org 0x0000 jmp start ; jump over Interrupt Vectors, Program ID etc. ;******************************* Program ID ********************************* .org INT_VECTORS_SIZE program_author: .db "Donald Weiman",0 program_version: .db "LCD-AVR-8d (asm)",0,0 program_date: .db "Sep 9, 2013",0 ; ****************************** Main Program Code ************************** start: ; initialize the stack pointer to the highest RAM address ldi temp,low(RAMEND) out SPL,temp ldi temp,high(RAMEND) out SPH,temp ; configure the microprocessor pins for the data lines sbi lcd_D7_ddr, lcd_D7_bit ; 8 data lines - output sbi lcd_D6_ddr, lcd_D6_bit sbi lcd_D5_ddr, lcd_D5_bit sbi lcd_D4_ddr, lcd_D4_bit sbi lcd_D3_ddr, lcd_D3_bit sbi lcd_D2_ddr, lcd_D2_bit sbi lcd_D1_ddr, lcd_D1_bit sbi lcd_D0_ddr, lcd_D0_bit ; configure the microprocessor pins for the control lines sbi lcd_E_ddr, lcd_E_bit ; E line - output sbi lcd_RS_ddr, lcd_RS_bit ; RS line - output ; initialize the LCD controller as determined by the equates (LCD instructions) call lcd_init_8d ; initialize the LCD display for an 8-bit interface ; display the first line of information ldi ZH, high(program_author) ; point to the information that is to be displayed ldi ZL, low(program_author) ldi temp, lcd_LineOne ; point to where the information should be displayed call lcd_write_string_8d ; display the second line of information ldi ZH, high(program_version) ; point to the information that is to be displayed ldi ZL, low(program_version) ldi temp, lcd_LineTwo ; point to where the information should be displayed call lcd_write_string_8d ; endless loop here: rjmp here ; ****************************** End of Main Program Code ******************* ; ============================== 8-bit LCD Subroutines ====================== ; Name: lcd_init_8d ; Purpose: initialize the LCD module for a 8-bit data interface ; Entry: equates (LCD instructions) set up for the desired operation ; Exit: no parameters ; Notes: uses time delays instead of checking the busy flag lcd_init_8d: ; Power-up delay ldi temp, 100 ; initial 40 mSec delay call delayTx1mS ; Reset the LCD controller. ldi temp, lcd_FunctionReset ; first part of reset sequence call lcd_write_instruction_8d ldi temp, 10 ; 4.1 mS delay (min) call delayTx1mS ldi temp, lcd_FunctionReset ; second part of reset sequence call lcd_write_instruction_8d ldi temp, 200 ; 100 uS delay (min) call delayTx1uS ldi temp, lcd_FunctionReset ; third part of reset sequence call lcd_write_instruction_8d ldi temp, 200 ; this delay is omitted in the data sheet call delayTx1uS ; Function Set instruction ldi temp, lcd_FunctionSet8bit ; set mode, lines, and font call lcd_write_instruction_8d ldi temp, 80 ; 40 uS delay (min) call delayTx1uS ; The next three instructions are specified in the data sheet as part of the initialization routine, ; so it is a good idea (but probably not necessary) to do them just as specified and then redo them ; later if the application requires a different configuration. ; Display On/Off Control instruction ldi temp, lcd_DisplayOff ; turn display OFF call lcd_write_instruction_8d ldi temp, 80 ; 40 uS delay (min) call delayTx1uS ; Clear Display instruction ldi temp, lcd_Clear ; clear display RAM call lcd_write_instruction_8d ldi temp, 4 ; 1.64 mS delay (min) call delayTx1mS ; Entry Mode Set instruction ldi temp, lcd_EntryMode ; set desired shift characteristics call lcd_write_instruction_8d ldi temp, 80 ; 40 uS delay (min) call delayTx1uS ; This is the end of the LCD controller initialization as specified in the data sheet, but the display ; has been left in the OFF condition. This is a good time to turn the display back ON. ; Display On/Off Control instruction ldi temp, lcd_DisplayOn ; turn the display ON call lcd_write_instruction_8d ldi temp, 80 ; 40 uS delay (min) call delayTx1uS ret ; --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ; Name: lcd_write_string_8d ; Purpose: display a string of characters on the LCD ; Entry: ZH and ZL pointing to the start of the string ; (temp) contains the desired DDRAM address at which to start the display ; Exit: no parameters ; Notes: the string must end with a null (0) ; uses time delays instead of checking the busy flag lcd_write_string_8d: ; preserve registers push ZH ; preserve pointer registers push ZL ; fix up the pointers for use with the 'lpm' instruction lsl ZL ; shift the pointer one bit left for the lpm instruction rol ZH ; set up the initial DDRAM address ori temp, lcd_SetCursor ; convert the plain address to a set cursor instruction call lcd_write_instruction_8d ; set up the first DDRAM address ldi temp, 80 ; 40 uS delay (min) call delayTx1uS ; write the string of characters lcd_write_string_8d_01: lpm temp, Z+ ; get a character cpi temp, 0 ; check for end of string breq lcd_write_string_8d_02 ; done ; arrive here if this is a valid character call lcd_write_character_8d ; display the character ldi temp, 80 ; 40 uS delay (min) call delayTx1uS rjmp lcd_write_string_8d_01 ; not done, send another character ; arrive here when all characters in the message have been sent to the LCD module lcd_write_string_8d_02: pop ZL ; restore pointer registers pop ZH ret ; --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ; Name: lcd_write_character_8d ; Purpose: send a byte of information to the LCD data register ; Entry: (temp) contains the data byte ; Exit: no parameters ; Notes: does not deal with RW (busy flag is not implemented) lcd_write_character_8d: sbi lcd_RS_port, lcd_RS_bit ; select the Data Register (RS high) cbi lcd_E_port, lcd_E_bit ; make sure E is initially low call lcd_write_8 ; write the data ret ; --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ; Name: lcd_write_instruction_8d ; Purpose: send a byte of information to the LCD instruction register ; Entry: (temp) contains the data byte ; Exit: no parameters ; Notes: does not deal with RW (busy flag is not implemented) lcd_write_instruction_8d: cbi lcd_RS_port, lcd_RS_bit ; select the Instruction Register (RS low) cbi lcd_E_port, lcd_E_bit ; make sure E is initially low call lcd_write_8 ; write the instruction ret ; --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ; Name: lcd_write_8 ; Purpose: send a byte of information to the LCD module ; Entry: (temp) contains the data byte ; RS is configured for the desired LCD register ; E is low ; RW is low ; Exit: no parameters ; Notes: use either time delays or the busy flag lcd_write_8: ; set up the data bits sbi lcd_D7_port, lcd_D7_bit ; assume that the data bit is '1' sbrs temp, 7 ; check the actual data value cbi lcd_D7_port, lcd_D7_bit ; arrive here only if the data was actually '0' sbi lcd_D6_port, lcd_D6_bit ; repeat for each data bit sbrs temp, 6 cbi lcd_D6_port, lcd_D6_bit sbi lcd_D5_port, lcd_D5_bit sbrs temp, 5 cbi lcd_D5_port, lcd_D5_bit sbi lcd_D4_port, lcd_D4_bit sbrs temp, 4 cbi lcd_D4_port, lcd_D4_bit sbi lcd_D3_port, lcd_D3_bit sbrs temp, 3 cbi lcd_D3_port, lcd_D3_bit sbi lcd_D2_port, lcd_D2_bit sbrs temp, 2 cbi lcd_D2_port, lcd_D2_bit sbi lcd_D1_port, lcd_D1_bit sbrs temp, 1 cbi lcd_D1_port, lcd_D1_bit sbi lcd_D0_port, lcd_D0_bit sbrs temp, 0 cbi lcd_D0_port, lcd_D0_bit ; write the data ; 'Address set-up time' (40 nS) sbi lcd_E_port, lcd_E_bit ; Enable pin high call delay1uS ; implement 'Data set-up time' (80 nS) and 'Enable pulse width' (230 nS) cbi lcd_E_port, lcd_E_bit ; Enable pin low call delay1uS ; implement 'Data hold time' (10 nS) and 'Enable cycle time' (500 nS) ret ; ============================== End of 8-bit LCD Subroutines =============== ; ============================== Time Delay Subroutines ===================== ; Name: delayYx1mS ; Purpose: provide a delay of (YH:YL) x 1 mS ; Entry: (YH:YL) = delay data ; Exit: no parameters ; Notes: the 16-bit register provides for a delay of up to 65.535 Seconds ; requires delay1mS delayYx1mS: call delay1mS ; delay for 1 mS sbiw YH:YL, 1 ; update the the delay counter brne delayYx1mS ; counter is not zero ; arrive here when delay counter is zero (total delay period is finished) ret ; --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ; Name: delayTx1mS ; Purpose: provide a delay of (temp) x 1 mS ; Entry: (temp) = delay data ; Exit: no parameters ; Notes: the 8-bit register provides for a delay of up to 255 mS ; requires delay1mS delayTx1mS: call delay1mS ; delay for 1 mS dec temp ; update the delay counter brne delayTx1mS ; counter is not zero ; arrive here when delay counter is zero (total delay period is finished) ret ; --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ; Name: delay1mS ; Purpose: provide a delay of 1 mS ; Entry: no parameters ; Exit: no parameters ; Notes: chews up fclk/1000 clock cycles (including the 'call') delay1mS: push YL ; [2] preserve registers push YH ; [2] ldi YL, low (((fclk/1000)-18)/4) ; [1] delay counter ldi YH, high(((fclk/1000)-18)/4) ; [1] delay1mS_01: sbiw YH:YL, 1 ; [2] update the the delay counter brne delay1mS_01 ; [2] delay counter is not zero ; arrive here when delay counter is zero pop YH ; [2] restore registers pop YL ; [2] ret ; [4] ; --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ; Name: delayTx1uS ; Purpose: provide a delay of (temp) x 1 uS with a 16 MHz clock frequency ; Entry: (temp) = delay data ; Exit: no parameters ; Notes: the 8-bit register provides for a delay of up to 255 uS ; requires delay1uS delayTx1uS: call delay1uS ; delay for 1 uS dec temp ; decrement the delay counter brne delayTx1uS ; counter is not zero ; arrive here when delay counter is zero (total delay period is finished) ret ; --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ; Name: delay1uS ; Purpose: provide a delay of 1 uS with a 16 MHz clock frequency ; Entry: no parameters ; Exit: no parameters ; Notes: add another push/pop for 20 MHz clock frequency delay1uS: push temp ; [2] these instructions do nothing except consume clock cycles pop temp ; [2] push temp ; [2] pop temp ; [2] ret ; [4] ; ============================== End of Time Delay Subroutines ==============