A Clever Idea
When Winstar announced their new range of “Clever TFTs” earlier this year we could not wait to get our hands on one and explore the potential of these new smart TFT modules.
Aiming to simplify and speed up the integration of TFT technology into new product designs, the introductory 3.5″ WF35M boasts a 320×240 LED Backlit panel with optional resistive touch screen. With an outline of just 100 x 66 mm this compact module is sure to find its way into industrial control, automation and monitoring applications.
The magic happens on the PCB to which the panel is mounted. Here we find a microcontroller which not only provides the familair USB, RS232 or SPI-4 interface to the panel but also includes control of the LED Backlight, Frame Buffer SRAM, Graphic File Flash, PWM and four button inputs. Could this be the ideal display to use with Raspberry Pi?
Winstar provide software to assist with the development of the UI significantly reducing coding time and will be supporting the product with firmware updates.
They have in the pipeline 4.3″ and 5.7″ versions which will include optional Capacitive Touch Screens meaning gesture control could be a possibility.
The WF35M is available now from Diamond HMI.