Summary of A Slow Display… E-Paper + Arduino
E-Paper displays, popular in e-readers like Kindle, are now accessible for Arduino projects via SparkFun's breakout board. Unlike LCDs, E-paper retains images without power by flipping tiny charged balls, mimicking paper and reducing eye strain. This specific module features a 20-character, 2-line display but cannot show graphics. The breakout board is essential to convert voltage levels and manage the complex ribbon cable connections required for operation.
Parts used in E-Paper + Arduino Project:
- E-Paper Display (20 character, 2 line, 16-segment)
- SparkFun Breakout Board
- Ribbon Cables
- Arduino Microcontroller
Most notable for its inclusion in the Kindel and other E-Readers, E-Paper has recently become very popular. But until very recently been out of reach to being used in personal projects. Luckily for us, SparkFun started selling and E-Paper display, and breakout board finally bringing this great technology to a place where we can slap it on the back of our Arduinos.
If you are wondering, E-Ink is a brand of E-Paper, and this display is not of that brand so we will be calling it E-Paper.
E-paper has some properties that make it unlike almost any other display. Unlike a typical LCD screen, E-paper only needs power when it is changing what is being displayed. Think of it as an electrical etch-a-sketch – The image is there until you change it.
The E-paper actually does this by drawing the image by flipping over tiny balls in the display that are black on one side, and white on the other. When an electrical charge is applied to portions of the display it forces the balls in that area to all flip to one side, changing the color of that part of the display. Once these balls have been set into place, they stay there until a new instruction takes place.
E-paper also is not backlit like many LCDs and is more like actual paper where reading it is dependent on available light where you are. And, many people report E-Paper as being easier on the eyes and more like reading actual paper than a screen.
This particular display is a 20 character, 2 line, 16-segment display. So you wont be able to display graphics on it, and the type size is set as well. But… it is still very cool.
Hooking It Up
I wouldn’t try hooking up this display without the breakout board, so im not going to cover that at all (the break outboard bumps the 3.3 or 5[v] source to the 35V needed for the display) and there are like 400 connections on the 2 ribbon cables. Also, even with the breakout board it can be a little tricky.
The ribbon cables of the display need to slide into the connectors of the breakout board, and I have read some people having issue with this. To do this you need to slide out the sides of the connector, then slide the ribbon cable into it, and slide the sides back in, locking it into place.
For more detail: A Slow Display… E-Paper + Arduino
- Why is E-Paper different from an LCD screen?
E-paper only needs power when changing the display and retains the image without electricity until updated. - How does the E-paper display create images?
It flips tiny balls inside the display that are black on one side and white on the other using electrical charges. - Does this E-paper display require a backlight?
No, it is not backlit and relies on available light just like actual paper. - Can I use this display to show graphics?
No, this specific 20 character, 2 line display has a fixed type size and cannot display graphics. - Is it safe to connect the E-paper display directly to an Arduino?
No, you should not try hooking up the display without the breakout board due to voltage requirements. - What voltage does the breakout board handle?
The breakout board bumps the 3.3 or 5 volt source to the 35 volts needed for the display. - How do I secure the ribbon cables to the breakout board?
You must slide out the sides of the connector, insert the cable, and slide the sides back in to lock it. - Why is E-paper considered easier on the eyes?
Many people report it feels more like reading actual paper compared to standard screens.
