SparkFun
Serial Enabled 16x2 LCD
Best display solution for space-constrained embedded electronics projects.
This SparkFun Serial Enabled 16x2 LCD offers a streamlined way to integrate text displays into your projects. It features an onboard PIC 16F88 microcontroller that interprets TTL serial input, simplifying communication and reducing the load on your host processor. Easily adjust contrast with the rear potentiometer and control backlight brightness via PWM. Its compact, surface-mount design makes it ideal for space-constrained embedded applications requiring clear text output.
$24.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
606
/ 1541
#606 in Development Boards
Price vs Category Average
-72%
Below average
Display Size
162
/ characters by lines
Who it's for
- Prototypers wanting clean builds without extra hardware components
- Makers working with pin-constrained microcontrollers
- Beginners seeking a simple plug-and-play display experience
Who should skip it
- Engineers requiring high-speed, real-time screen updates
- Budget-conscious hobbyists building large-scale or low-cost projects
- Developers needing multiple serial devices for complex communication
Performance breakdown
Integration Simplicity
Serial communication drastically reduces wiring complexity for rapid prototyping.
Host Efficiency
Onboard PIC microcontroller offloads display management from your primary processor.
Form Factor
Compact footprint fits easily into tight, space-constrained embedded enclosures.
Display Versatility
Customizable splash screens and adjustable brightness offer excellent visual flexibility.
Communication Flexibility
Wide range of baud rates ensures compatibility with diverse serial devices.
Manual Adjustability
Rear potentiometer allows for quick, tactile contrast tuning during setup.
Key Specs
Display Size
16 characters by 2 lines
Onboard Processor
PIC 16F88
Clock Speed
10 MHz
Communication Interface
TTL Serial (UART)
Adjustable Baud Rates
2400, 4800, 9600, 14400, 19200, 38400
PCB Dimensions
103mm x 36mm
LCD Dimensions
71.4mm x 26.4mm
Backlight Control
PWM
Features
- Simplifies text display with serial communication
- Adjustable backlight brightness and display state
- Faster boot-up for quicker operation
- User-definable splash screen
- Onboard PIC reduces host processor load
- Compact design for small projects
- Easy contrast adjustment
- Supports operational backspace command
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Serial Enabled 16x2 LCD for its exceptional ease of use. The built in serial interface dramatically simplifies wiring, freeing up valuable microcontroller pins and reducing project complexity. This convenience is the main selling point, making setup quick and painless even for beginners. Reviewers find the display reliable, noting that it powers up and displays information exactly as expected without requiring extensive troubleshooting. The time saved and the reliable performance offer excellent value for hobbyists and professionals alike.
Know before you buy
This display uses a standard TTL serial (UART) interface. Because it has an onboard PIC microcontroller to handle the display logic, you only need one serial pin from your host processor to send text and commands.
Yes, the display supports several common baud rates, including 2400, 4800, 9600, 14400, 19200, and 38400. You can configure these settings to ensure seamless communication with your host device.
You can adjust the contrast manually using the potentiometer located on the back of the board. The backlight brightness is controlled digitally via PWM commands sent through the serial interface.
Yes, the onboard PIC allows you to define a custom splash screen. This will display your chosen text immediately upon power-up before your main program takes control.
The display operates at 5.0 Volts. Ensure your power supply is stable to maintain consistent backlight brightness and clear character visibility.
The module includes an 80-character input buffer, which helps manage incoming data. However, the physical display is limited to 16 characters per line, so you will need to manage your text wrapping or scrolling logic within your own code.
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$25