Difference between revisions of "VGA Shield"

From Hackstrich
(PCBs received, still need parts.)
(VGA modules ordered, other parts need ordering still.)
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== Project Status ==
 
== Project Status ==
Schematic and board layout complete, PCBs received, still need to order parts.
+
Schematic and board layout complete, PCBs received, VGA modules ordered from 4D, need to order other parts from Digikey when I do my next order.
  
 
== Design Overview ==
 
== Design Overview ==
 
* Shield will provide I2C-RS232 bridge so the Arduino doesn't have to use its (only) RS232 UART for this
 
* Shield will provide I2C-RS232 bridge so the Arduino doesn't have to use its (only) RS232 UART for this
 
* Will provide a 3.5mm jack for external speakers (no room on shield for a speaker)
 
* Will provide a 3.5mm jack for external speakers (no room on shield for a speaker)
* The µVGA-PICASO-MD1 has 16 GPIOs, so will pin those out on the standard 2x5 connectors
+
* The µVGA-II(SGC) has 16 GPIOs, so will pin those out on the standard 2x5 connectors
 
* Status LEDs for power, TX, RX, and audio enabled
 
* Status LEDs for power, TX, RX, and audio enabled
  
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** Only supports up to 800x480 (WVGA) @ 16bpp
 
** Only supports up to 800x480 (WVGA) @ 16bpp
 
** Very easy to interface with (via an I2C/SPI to RS232 bridge likely)
 
** 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

Revision as of 12:45, 14 February 2011

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

Project Status

Schematic and board layout complete, PCBs received, VGA modules ordered from 4D, need to order other parts from Digikey when I do my next order.

Design Overview

  • Shield will provide I2C-RS232 bridge so the Arduino doesn't have to use its (only) RS232 UART for this
  • Will provide a 3.5mm jack for external speakers (no room on shield for a speaker)
  • The µVGA-II(SGC) has 16 GPIOs, so will pin those out on the standard 2x5 connectors
  • Status LEDs for power, TX, RX, and audio enabled

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