Feature-packed Arduino-compatible display system development solutions on offer

USA: FTDI Chip further expanded its range of products supporting those working with the company's award-winning Embedded Video Engine (EVE) technology, by introducing a series of easy to use Arduino-compatible development platforms.

The VM800P series (where P signifies PLUS) is a unique offering which furnishes engineers with everything necessary to implement more effective human machine interfaces (HMIs) - including not only display, audio and touch elements, but data processing aspects too.

These units can be programmed via the Arduino IDE (using a pre-programmed Arduino-compatible bootloader), thereby taking advantage of the popularity that this open source development ecosystem now has amongst the global electronic engineering community.

In addition, over 50 EVE sample applications are provided, categorised into basic, intermediate and advanced levels. These include straight forward gauges and keyboards through to white goods/industrial controls.

With comprehensive support for various Arduino libraries provided, every VM800P incorporates an FTDI Chip FT800 EVE graphic controller IC and its FT232R USB interface IC, as well as an ATMEGA328P 8-bit RISC-based microcontroller (running at 16MHz).

Also featured are a touch-enabled display LCD panel, a backlight LED driver and an audio power amplifier along with a micro speaker. A choice of 3.5-inch, 4.3-inch and 5.0-inch display formats is available, replete with precision fitted bezels that help to ensure continued operation even in uncompromising industrial application settings.

On top of the array of other items included, all VM800P units have a USB serial port for firmware upload and application communication, a battery-backed real time clock (RTC) for carrying out system timing and a micro-SD socket which is complemented by a 4GByte SD card containing the pre-loaded sample applications.

These Arduino-compatible display system development platforms run off a standard 5V which can be delivered via a micro-USB cable or directly from an external supply.