Getting started with demo programs, getting hardware docs.

FTDI/Bridgetek EVE2 & EVE3 & EVE4 SPI TFT Series by Matrix Orbital

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rascalito
LCD Geek
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 pm

Getting started with demo programs, getting hardware docs.

Post by rascalito »

Hello!

A few newbie questions.
I bought a 7 inch LCD with capacitive touch.
Could anybody point me to some documentation where I could find (for example) the connector
pinout (the 20 pin FPC connector). I couldn't find any documentation except the dimensions of
the screen, and in order to wire it to a microcontroller, I need at least the connector layout.

I also bought the USB to SPI interface. There is some software on GitHub, and again there are
no explanations whatsoever about how to use this application.

Background info:
- When I plug the USB to SPI board, it is apparently recognized, so it doesn't seem to be a driver issue.
- When I plug the LCD on the USB to SPI board, the LED on the screen interface board is lit, so I suppose
the connection is right.

Now on GitHub, there are many applications.
https://github.com/MatrixOrbital/Basic-EVE-Demo

As I'm dealing with the 7 inch board, I guess it's here:
Basic-EVE-Demo / EVE Test executabiles / Eve2 / EVE2-70
NB: I verified the chip behind the screen, it's a FT813, therefore EVE2.

There are 3 applications:
As I'm using a capacitive touch panel, I suppose it's this one (TPC = touch panel capacitive).
EVE2_70G_TPC.exe

Running the application does nothing except popping a terminal which says:
Channels found: 1
USB -> SPI bridge opened.
And that's it. But LCD panel or not doesn't change anything.

Could anybody point me to some hardware documentation where I could find the connector
layout, and also explain me how to start the demonstration program?

Thanks for any hint.

R

Raquel
Matrix Orbital
Matrix Orbital
Posts: 796
Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: MO Office

Re: Getting started with demo programs, getting hardware docs.

Post by Raquel »

Hello R,

Thank you for posting on the forum.
Can you please send a photo of your setup?
The EVE2-70G connection (back of the display where the EVE board is), the flat cable and the USB2SPI all plugged in and powered?

Thank you,
Raquel
Raquel Malinis
Design and Development
Matrix Orbital

rascalito
LCD Geek
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 pm

Re: Getting started with demo programs, getting hardware docs.

Post by rascalito »

Hello!

Sorry, it works now. I didn't change anything, I use the same flat cable, all is powered.
I also verified last time that all was properly powered, so I'm pretty sure the setup is
the same. Possibly some dirt on one of the contacts.

Now the PC application doesn't do much. Are there other examples showing how to draw
a slider, how to get the slider value, etc...?

By the way, is there a comparison chart between EVE2 and EVE3?
All the difference I found on the characteristic list is:

* 32Mb or optional 128Mb SPI NOR Flash
* BT815 24bit TFT GPU (instead of BT813)
* 3M 200MP adhesives (instead of 300LSE).

What advantage does it make in terms of use? Are there graphics I can do with EVE3 and
not with EVE2?

Thanks

Raquel
Matrix Orbital
Matrix Orbital
Posts: 796
Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: MO Office

Re: Getting started with demo programs, getting hardware docs.

Post by Raquel »

Hi!

Good to hear that things are working now :)
There should be examples for all the graphics in the programming guide

What you have listed is correct, as per differences between Matrix Orbital EVE2 and EVE3 series.
As per Bridgetek's second, third and fourth generation EVE please check this out.

I believe graphics and widgets are the same between EVE2 and EVE3.
The EVE3 has support for external memory where you can store some of your images, video.

Thank you,
Raquel Malinis
Design and Development
Matrix Orbital

rascalito
LCD Geek
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 pm

Re: Getting started with demo programs, getting hardware docs.

Post by rascalito »

Hello Raquel!

Thanks for the info, that's exactly the comparison chart I was looking for.
Now I'm using the 7inch with capacitive touch panel, and the USB / SPI board, with the
eve2 application on PC. There is a lot of flicker. Any idea of the reason?

NB: if I power only with USB, there is some flicker, so I tried to power te board with an external
5V supply. The USB / SPI board becomes incredibly hot (it smells like some epoxy is starting
to burn and I can't touch it). In any case, there is some flicker.

Thanks,

R.

Raquel
Matrix Orbital
Matrix Orbital
Posts: 796
Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: MO Office

Re: Getting started with demo programs, getting hardware docs.

Post by Raquel »

Hi R,

I have tried my EVE2-70 here with USB2SPI bridge and I do not notice any flicker.
Yes, the regulator on the USB2SPI bridge does get hot - I wonder how the 3.3V net is doing on your setup.
Can you please take a look at the voltage across C9 on the USB2SPI bridge?

Thank you,
Raquel Malinis
Design and Development
Matrix Orbital

rascalito
LCD Geek
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:22 pm

Re: Getting started with demo programs, getting hardware docs.

Post by rascalito »

Hello Raquel!

The 3.3V is doing 2.8 across C9.

Might be a little bit weak if it really should be 3.3.

R

Update: I'm using my own board now, and I get a real 3.3V. No flicker.
Is this a known problem of the USB2SPI interface? Is it a defective board?

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