Difference between revisions of "VGA Shield"

From Hackstrich
(Status update.)
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The Arduino VGA Shield will be, as the project name may indicate, an Arduino shield that outputs VGA video.
 
The Arduino VGA Shield will be, as the project name may indicate, an Arduino shield that outputs VGA video.
The board itself could be based around:
+
 
 +
== Project Status ==
 +
Initial design phase, chipset selection, BOM assembly.
 +
 
 +
== Chipset Options ==
 
* 4D Systems µVGA-PICASO-MD1 module ($54)
 
* 4D Systems µVGA-PICASO-MD1 module ($54)
 
** Very expensive
 
** Very expensive
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** Only talks RS232
 
** Only talks RS232
 
* '''New 4D Systems uVGA-II(SGC) module ($49)'''
 
* '''New 4D Systems uVGA-II(SGC) module ($49)'''
** May do a quick board using this as a first revision, and look at switching to another more flexible/cheaper technology later on.
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** Relatively expensive
 +
** Only supports up to 800x480 (WVGA) @ 16bpp
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** Very easy to interface with (via an I2C/SPI to RS232 bridge likely)
 
* Propeller chip with custom code ($8)
 
* Propeller chip with custom code ($8)
 
** Cheap
 
** Cheap
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*** Supports LCD, VGA, and NTSC/PAL composite output
 
*** Supports LCD, VGA, and NTSC/PAL composite output
 
*** Flexible bus to talk to the microcontroller
 
*** Flexible bus to talk to the microcontroller
*** '''Requires EDO DRAM, which isn't available anymore.'''
+
*** Requires EDO DRAM, which isn't available anymore.
 
** The Epson S1D13517 might work, it's like the S1D13506 but takes SDRAM
 
** The Epson S1D13517 might work, it's like the S1D13506 but takes SDRAM
 
*** Supports up to 800x600 16bpp
 
*** Supports up to 800x600 16bpp

Revision as of 12:43, 29 October 2010

The Arduino VGA Shield will be, as the project name may indicate, an Arduino shield that outputs VGA video.

Project Status

Initial design phase, chipset selection, BOM assembly.

Chipset Options

  • 4D Systems µVGA-PICASO-MD1 module ($54)
    • Very expensive
    • Some complaints about reliability
    • Only talks RS232
  • New 4D Systems uVGA-II(SGC) module ($49)
    • Relatively expensive
    • Only supports up to 800x480 (WVGA) @ 16bpp
    • Very easy to interface with (via an I2C/SPI to RS232 bridge likely)
  • Propeller chip with custom code ($8)
    • Cheap
    • Unsure how high resolution would be possible given generating VGA video from an MCU
  • Custom FPGA solution ($?)
    • More work than any other solution
    • Similar cost to propeller chip, likely
  • Off-the-shelf VGA controller chip
    • The Epson S1D13506 seems promising, you talk to it and it has an internal RAMDAC to generate video.
      • Supports LCD, VGA, and NTSC/PAL composite output
      • Flexible bus to talk to the microcontroller
      • Requires EDO DRAM, which isn't available anymore.
    • The Epson S1D13517 might work, it's like the S1D13506 but takes SDRAM
      • Supports up to 800x600 16bpp
      • Only supports TFT displays, may be able to make it talk DVI though through timings/TMDS converter?
  • Project Peacock
    • Hybrid CPLD/MCU solution, cheaper than using a softcore in an FPGA
    • Would allow for an easy DVI shield too