lcd, C and pic

[Zedy]

Hi, I am working right now on my lcd project, and I have some problem with lcd initialization:
After this peace of code, LCD just don't work, but if I change LCD_EN to portB pin (in softwere and hardwere) all works fine. Any help would be appreciated.
(pic microcontroller: PIC16F677, LCD module 8x2)

Code: [Select]

#include <htc.h>

#define _XTAL_FREQ 4000000
#define lcd_port    PORTC
#define LCD_EN      RC4
#define LCD_RS      RC5

__CONFIG(INTIO & WDTDIS & PWRTDIS & MCLREN & UNPROTECT & BORDIS & IESODIS & FCMDIS);

void init(void)
{
// port directions: 1=input, 0=output
TRISA = 0b00000000;
TRISB = 0b00000000;
TRISC = 0b00000000;
}

void main(void)
{
init();
lcd_port = 0x00;

__delay_ms(50);

                lcd_port = 0x03;
LCD_EN = 1;
LCD_EN = 0;

__delay_ms(10);

       lcd_port = 0x02;   //Function set
LCD_EN = 1;
LCD_EN = 0;
                lcd_port = 0x08;
LCD_EN = 1;
LCD_EN = 0;

__delay_ms(10);

        lcd_port = 0x02;   //Function set
LCD_EN = 1;
LCD_EN = 0;
                lcd_port = 0x08;
LCD_EN = 1;
LCD_EN = 0;

__delay_ms(10);

lcd_port = 0x00;   //Display on/off
LCD_EN = 1;
LCD_EN = 0;
                lcd_port = 0x08;
LCD_EN = 1;
LCD_EN = 0;

__delay_ms(10);

lcd_port = 0x00;   //Display Clear
LCD_EN = 1;
LCD_EN = 0;
                lcd_port = 0x01;
LCD_EN = 1;
LCD_EN = 0;

__delay_ms(10);

lcd_port = 0x00; //Entry Mode set
LCD_EN = 1;
LCD_EN = 0;
lcd_port = 0x06;  
LCD_EN = 1;
LCD_EN = 0;

__delay_ms(10);

     while(1)
            {
             }
}


What is going on?    

[alm]

You should use code tags (button with hash/pound/number sign) to make the C code more readable. I'm not a PIC person, but is there anything else on PORTC that might conflict, like programming pins, reset pin or crystal pins? Check the datasheet for your PIC.

[Simon]

have you setup your registers correctly

[Zedy]

is there anything else on PORTC that might conflict, like programming pins, reset pin or crystal pins? Check the datasheet for your PIC.

There is nothing else, just pic and LCD module, the only thing about PORTC, some of the pins are part of compartors and  analog pins, but I use them only like output pins.

have you setup your registers correctly

I think so, but I also have trayed to disable other functions of the pins in softwere. Nothing changes, it just don't work if lcd enable pin is connected to the same port.

[migsantiago]

Hello Zedy

You should tell the HiTech compiler which pic you're using...

Code: [Select]

#include <htc.h> // Required to interface with delay routines
#include <pic12f683.h> //modify this with your pic
And be careful when using lcd_port, because you're actually modifying the 8 bits of the port at the same time... including RC4 and RC5, which should not be changed.

I'd recommend using that LCD on a 4bit mode and whenever you want to send a 4 bit command or data, be sure not to modify the other RCx pins.

In order to do that you'll have to use AND, OR or XOR masks.

Ohh and there is a pre-built LCD library with Hitech, just search for it in the installation paths.

[Zedy]

Hello Zedy

You should tell the HiTech compiler which pic you're using...

I have 9.70 HiTech compiler version.

And be careful when using lcd_port, because you're actually modifying the 8 bits of the port at the same time... including RC4 and RC5, which should not be changed.

I'd recommend using that LCD on a 4bit mode and whenever you want to send a 4 bit command or data, be sure not to modify the other RCx pins.

In order to do that you'll have to use AND, OR or XOR masks.

Ohh and there is a pre-built LCD library with Hitech, just search for it in the installation paths.

Thanks! I have found LCD library, and with little code modification it works very nice!

[migsantiago]

No, it doesn't matter what version you're using, it's always recommended to include the header file for the specific PIC you are using...

Code: [Select]

#include <pic12f683.h> //modify this with your pic
Congratulations on your first LCD project! 

[Simon]

yea I'm hoping to do something with LCD's soon just got to get one project up and running

[Zedy]

No, it doesn't matter what version you're using, it's always recommended to include the header file for the specific PIC you are using...

Code: [Select]

#include <pic12f683.h> //modify this with your pic
Congratulations on your first LCD project!  

Thanks!    I have included header for my pic, so now all seems to be right.  

yea I'm hoping to do something with LCD's soon just got to get one project up and running

It was really painful process for me, I spant almost month just trying understand how lcd module works 

[FreeThinker]

Hi, Have a read of this
http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/resources.htm
The LCD pdf's are a Good read. Hope they help

[Zedy]

Hi, Have a read of this
http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/resources.htm
The LCD pdf's are a Good read. Hope they help

The links to LCD pdf's are broken.

[djsb]

http://www.wizard.org/auction_support/lcd1.pdf
http://www.wizard.org/auction_support/lcd2.pdf

HTH

David.