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DMD_STM32a - LED Matrix library with Unicode fonts support

GitHub last commit (branch) GitHub commits since tagged version (branch) GitHub

Last major addition is v1.1.2 - Introduced multicolor for fixed and scrolling text

See video and dmd_multicolor example for details.

Attention! Recent versions are incompatibe with code prior v1.0.0 The main difference from 0.x.x versions is a new panel template format. You can see a brief explanation in the Wiki/About matrix patterns and in the comments of the DMD_Panel_Templates.h file.
Last version with old panel templates v0.9.5

About the library

The library initially started out as STM32 port of Freetronics DMD library (https://github.com/freetronics/DMD). Now it has grown into a separate project with support for different types of monochrome, two-color and RGB panels.

One of the important features of the library is support of Adafruit GFX format fonts: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-gfx-graphics-library/using-fonts. Using Adafruit fontconvert utility allows users to convert and display on DMD matrix Truetype fonts, including Unicode fonts with national characters of almost any language. The library includes Cyrillic and Turkish fonts. For using of national fonts, see the examples dmd_rgb.ino and dmd_rgb_turk.ino (Turkish).

The nain advantage of the library, which distinguishes it from its analogues, is the very wide range of supported RGB panels. Modules of almost any size, multiplexing type and scanning paterrn can be used. All these are configured by "matrix pattern" - a strings of digits, represents a key characteristics of given panel. The library does provide to users a rich set of predefined matrix patterns, and if some panel is missing from the list, it can be easily added without changing the main library code.

LED panels supported

Description Interface Pixels Scan Code module
Monochrome P10 panels HUB12 32x16 1/4 DMD_Monochrome_SPI.h
DMD_Parallel.h
Indoor RGB HUB75 32x16 1/8 DMD_RGB.h
32x32 1/16
64x32 1/16
64x64 1/32
80x40 1/20
128x64 1/32
Outdoor RGB HUB75 32x16 1/2 1/4 1/8 DMD_RGB.h
Two-color indoor HUB08 64x32 1/16 DMD_RGB.h
(work as RGB)
RGB with FM6126a driver HUB75 64x32 1/16 DMD_RGB_6126a.h
RGB ICDN2153/FM6353/6363 S-PWM HUB75 128x64 1/32 DMD_RGB_6353.h
64x32 1/16

Read more about supported panels in the Wiki/Supported panels. The set of supported matrices is constantly updated.

Adding a new panels to the library

If your panel is not supported by the library yet, please feel free to open an issue using template

Other features

  • The graphics subsystem is inherited from Adafruit GFX library https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-GFX-Library
  • Dual memory buffering for reducing scanning artefacts and making some visual effects (see Wiki/Examples).
  • Two color modes for RGB: highcolor RGB444 and low memory consuming RGB111 mode for LED signs, information boards etc.
  • Multicolor strings for fixed text and scrolling (since v1.1.2)
  • Chaining up to 100 panels for Monochrome (46 tested) or 16 for RGB 64x32. The number of matrices is limited by the size of the controller memory.
  • For monochrome display - a new "Parallel" connection scheme, in which each horizontal row of panels is connected to a separate R_DATA pin

Compatible boards

  • STM32F1 - STM32F103C8 (bluepill) and STM32F103C6 boards tested
  • STM32F4 - STM32F401CC and STM32F411CE boards
  • Raspberry Pi Pico and other RP2040-based boards

Installation

There are two ways to install the library:

  • Download ZIP-archive directly from Releases section, open your Arduino IDE, click on Sketch > Include Library > Add . ZIP Library. Choose the zip file you just downloaded.
  • Using Library Manager (since Arduino IDE 1.6.2): navigate to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries inside your Arduino IDE and search for the library, then click Install.

Pre-installation requirements

Arduino support packages for STM32 and Raspberry Pi Pico

Connection

For detailed info about matrix connection see Wiki:

Consult the examples for recommended pin combinations.

Documentation

Example videos

Adapters

Sometimes wiring can be tricky so here I will put links to useful PCB-boards for use with this code (are not affiliated with the DMD_STM32)

Most important versions

(22 Dec 2023 - v1.1.2) - Introduced multicolor for fixed and scrolling text

(30 Nov 2023 - v1.1.0) - Add support of panels with FM6353/6363 S-PWM drivers

(25 Mar 2023 - v1.0.4) - Add support of panels with FM6126a chip

(12 Feb 2023 - v1.0.0) - New panel template model with multiparameter specialization

(16 Sep 2022 - v0.9.0) - Add support of RP2040-based boards and using the DMA in the RGB modes for STM32F4 boards

(10 Jul 2022 - v0.8.0) - Add support of STM32F4 blackpills - STM32F401CC & STM32F411CE (Custom STM32 repo required! see below)

(19 Feb 2022 - v0.7.0) - Add support of "Outdoor" RGB panels with 1/2 1/4 1/8 scans

For full version history see CHANGES.txt

Acknowledgements

  • Evgeny Fokin for testing and provided matrices.
  • Eduard Yansapov - for testing.
  • @bilalibrir - for help with the code for Outdoor RGB matrix

Credits to open source community

Notice

This software is experimental and a work in progress. THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.