Dot Matrix Display using Arduino How to Use

Introduction

In the world of electronics, displays play a vital role in providing visual feedback and information. One such display is the 8X8 dot matrix display, which consists of an array of LEDs that can be individually controlled to form patterns, numbers, or letters. In this article, we will learn how to use an 8X8 dot matrix display with an Arduino Uno board and a 74HC595 IC.

In this article I am going to show you, How to Use 8X8 Dot Matrix Display Using Arduino and 74hc595 shift register.

Introduction of Major Parts of Dot Matrix Display using Arduino

Arduino Uno:

Before diving into the details of the 8X8 dot matrix display, let’s first understand what an Arduino Uno is. Arduino Uno is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P. It has 14 digital input/output pins, 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz quartz crystal, a USB connection, and a power jack. The Arduino Uno is the most commonly used board among electronics enthusiasts and hobbyists due to its simplicity and versatility.

74HC595 IC:

The 74HC595 is an integrated circuit (IC) that acts as a shift register, which can be used to control multiple outputs using fewer pins on a microcontroller. The IC can be connected in a daisy chain fashion, and each one can control 8 output pins. This makes it ideal for driving the 8X8 dot matrix display as it reduces the number of pins required from the Arduino Uno.

8X8 Dot Matrix Display:

The 8X8 dot matrix display consists of 64 LED dots arranged in an 8X8 grid. Each LED dot can be individually controlled to turn on or off, enabling the display of patterns, numbers, or letters. The dot matrix display is commonly used in scoreboards, clocks, message boards, and various other applications where visual feedback is needed.

Circuit Diagram of Dot Matrix Display using Arduino

This project can be designed using a few basic components. The circuit diagram of this project is shown below.

How to Use 8X8 Dot Matrix Display Circuit Diagram — **8X8 Dot Matrix Display Circuit Diagram**

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Components List of Dot Matrix Display using Arduino

Following is the list of all components used in this project:

1X Arduino UNO:
1 x 74HC595 IC
1X 8X8 Dot Matrix
1X PERF BOARD
JUMPER WIRES

Project Code Files:

Arduino Code:
Project Zip File
Code Text File

Assembling of Dot Matrix Display using Arduino

Step 1: Gather the required components:

To build this project of dot matrix display, we need to gather the required material. A complete list of material is already provided above in the Components List section.

Step 2: Connect the components:

First place Arduino Uno and one 74HC595 IC on the board. Connect pin-8 & 13 of IC to ground and also its pin-10 & 16 to positive supply. Connect its pin-11, 12, 14 to D3, D4, D2 of Arduino respectively.
Now connect another 74HC595 IC on the board. Connect its pin-8 & 13 to ground and also connect its pin-10 & 16 to the positive supply. Now Connect its pin-11, 12 to D3, D4 of Arduino respectively. And also connect its pin-14 to pin-9 of first IC.
Now place an 8×8 dot matrix display and connect it ROW pins to the output of first IC and its COLUMN pins to the output of the second IC.
Here we have completed the circuit. Circuit diagram of this project is already provided above. Kindly recheck all the connections before testing the circuit.

Step 3: Write the code:

Using the Arduino IDE, write the code to control the dot matrix display. All the code files are already provided above in the Project Code Files section. The code will involve sending a series of bits to the 74HC595 IC to turn on or off the individual LEDs in the dot matrix display.

Step 4: Upload the code:

Connect the Arduino Uno to your computer using a USB cable and upload the code to the board using the Arduino IDE. Don’t forget to upgrate the Arduino IDE with a newer version.

Step 5: Test the display:

Once the code is uploaded successfully, the dot matrix display should start displaying the desired pattern, number, or text as programmed in the code. You can experiment with different patterns and characters to get familiar with the capabilities of the display.

Conclusion of Dot Matrix Display using Arduino

Using an 8X8 dot matrix display with an Arduino Uno can be a fun and educational project for electronics enthusiasts. By understanding how to connect the display to the Arduino Uno using a 74HC595 IC and writing the appropriate code, you can create custom patterns and messages to be displayed on the dot matrix. The versatility of the Arduino Uno and the visual feedback provided by the dot matrix display opens up a world of possibilities for creative projects and applications. So grab your Arduino Uno, a dot matrix display, and start exploring the exciting world of electronics and displays!

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For more project and circuit diagrams, you can go through the Schematics in the main menu where you can find many interesting projects and circuit diagrams like audio amplifier circuits, voltage booster circuit, battery charger circuit and timer circuits etc., which are all beginner circuit projects. Feel free to check them out!

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