Pololu
16x2 Character LCD (Parallel Interface)
A compact 16×2 character LCD module using the standard HD44780 parallel interface. This display packs 32 characters into an outline smaller than most two-lin...
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A compact 16×2 character LCD module using the standard HD44780 parallel interface. This display packs 32 characters into an outline smaller than most two-line displays, making it a space-efficient choice for projects with limited panel area.
This unit operates without a backlight, keeping power consumption low. It uses the widely supported HD44780 controller, so it works out of the box with the Arduino LiquidCrystal library and other common LCD libraries.
Key Features
- 16×2 Character Display – Two rows of 16 characters each
- Compact Form Factor – Smaller outline than most standard 16×2 LCDs
- HD44780 Parallel Interface – Compatible with 4-bit and 8-bit data modes
- No Backlight – Lower power consumption, suitable for well-lit environments
- 5V Operation – Standard logic voltage for Arduino and most microcontrollers
- Adjustable Contrast – Via the V0 pin with a potentiometer
Ideal For
- Space-constrained projects needing a text display
- Low-power microcontroller applications
- Displaying sensor data, menus, and status messages
- Learning electronics with the widely documented HD44780 interface
Package Contents
- 1× 16×2 Character LCD Module (no backlight)
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- Headers
- Rows of connector contacts on a fixed pitch (commonly 2.54 mm) used to link a board to a breadboard, jumper wires, or another board. They come as male pin headers and female socket headers; when a module ships with pre-soldered headers it can be used straight away, whereas bare pads require soldering the pins yourself.
- LCD
- LCD stands for liquid crystal display, a screen technology that uses a backlight and liquid crystals to show images or text. It matters because LCD modules usually need a display driver and enough controller pins or a bus interface to send image data.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a single chip that runs a stored program and controls connected inputs and outputs such as buttons, sensors, displays and communication interfaces. In a device built around one, it is the part that executes the code and coordinates the device's behaviour.
- parallel interface
- A parallel interface sends several bits of data at the same time using multiple wires. It can be faster than simple serial connections, but it uses more microcontroller pins, so it is less convenient for small projects with limited wiring space.
- potentiometer
- A variable resistor usually turned with a knob or shaft to create an adjustable electrical signal. It is often used for inputs such as volume, brightness or position, so it helps beginners learn how a microcontroller reads changing values.
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