Unable to setup GC9A01 Display with a RP2040 Pico

[mytechnotalent]

I have created an empty rp2040 pico project to which I attempted to include the GC9A01_Defines.h and GC9A01_Init.h to my project however I am unable to configure this correctly to even compile.

#define SCR_PIN_DIN 3
#define SCR_PIN_CLK 2
#define SCR_PIN_CS  5
#define SCR_PIN_DC  6
#define SCR_PIN_RST 7
#define SCR_PIN_BL  8

#define SCR_HEIGHT 240
#define SCR_WIDTH 240
#define SCR_HORIZONTAL 0
#define SCR_VERTICAL   1

above are my user defines

I attempted to include #include "TFT_eSPI/TFT_eSPI.h" and attempted to remove the Arduino related setup but unsuccessful however I do not believe this is the intended use of this header file.

is there a guide or set of steps to configure the library to work with the pico rp2040 and GC9a01 driver?

#include "TFT_eSPI/User_Setups/Setup200_GC9A01.h"

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <ctype.h>
#include "pico/stdlib.h"
#include "pico/binary_info.h"
#include "hardware/i2c.h"
#include "pico/stdlib.h"
#include "TFT_eSPI/User_Setups/Setup200_GC9A01.h"

#define TFT_CS   5
#define TFT_DC   6
#define TFT_RST  7
#define TFT_MOSI 3
#define TFT_CLK  2
#define TFT_MISO 4

#define GC9A01_DRIVER
#define TFT_WIDTH  240
#define TFT_HEIGHT 240
#define SPI_FREQUENCY 20000000


int main() {
    stdio_init_all();

    TFT_eSPI tft = TFT_eSPI();
    tft.init();

    tft.fillRect(0, 0, 50, 50, TFT_RED);

    return 0;
}

it is not recognizing the tft object.

I attempted to load in the User_Setup.h and User_Setup_Select.h and updated the values appropraitely but still it wont find the TFT_eSPI object so again something wrong with my setup and path structure.

I am attempting this however wanted to see if there are other config that I might be missing.

Perhaps it could be something in my main CMakeLists.txt that needs to be added. Unsure.

cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.13)

set(PICO_BOARD pico)

include(pico_sdk_import.cmake)

project(gc9a01-demo C CXX ASM)
set(CMAKE_C_STANDARD 11)
set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)

pico_sdk_init()

add_executable(gc9a01-demo
        main.c
        )
target_compile_definitions(gc9a01-demo PRIVATE
        WIFI_SSID=\"${WIFI_SSID}\"
        WIFI_PASSWORD=\"${WIFI_PASSWORD}\"
        )
target_include_directories(gc9a01-demo PRIVATE
        ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}
        ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/.. # for our common lwipopts
        )
target_link_libraries(gc9a01-demo
        pico_stdlib
        hardware_i2c
        hardware_spi
        )

pico_add_extra_outputs(gc9a01-demo)

main.c which sit in the root of your repo that I added

#include <stdio.h>
#include "pico/stdlib.h"

#include "TFT_eSPI.h"
#include "User_Setups\Setup200_GC9A01.h"


int main()
{
    stdio_init_all();

    TFT_eSPI tft = TFT_eSPI();
    tft.init();

    tft.fillRect(0, 0, 50, 50, TFT_RED);

    return 0;
}

Thanks in advance.

[mytechnotalent]

@Bodmer I attempted your thread at #2000 and still unsuccessful. I am unsure how the project setup should be for the pico and a GC9A01

[Bodmer]

I suggest you try to run the provided examples under the Arduino IDE. This will show weather the setup configuration files are correct. Run the Read_User_Setup example to confirm the compiler is picking up the correct configuration.

[mytechnotalent]

@Bodmer I attempted that as shown below

#include <stdio.h>
#include "pico/stdlib.h"

#include "TFT_eSPI.h"
#include "User_Setup.h"


int main()
{
    stdio_init_all();

    TFT_eSPI tft = TFT_eSPI();
    tft.init();

    tft.fillRect(0, 0, 50, 50, TFT_RED);

    return 0;
}

[build] C:/Users/mytec/Documents/picow/TFT_eSPI/main.c: In function 'main':
[build] C:/Users/mytec/Documents/picow/TFT_eSPI/main.c:12:5: error: unknown type name 'TFT_eSPI'
[build] 12 | TFT_eSPI tft = TFT_eSPI();
[build] | ^~~~~~~~
[build] C:/Users/mytec/Documents/picow/TFT_eSPI/main.c:12:20: warning: implicit declaration of function 'TFT_eSPI' [-Wimplicit-function-declaration]
[build] 12 | TFT_eSPI tft = TFT_eSPI();
[build] | ^~~~~~~~
[build] C:/Users/mytec/Documents/picow/TFT_eSPI/main.c:13:8: error: request for member 'init' in something not a structure or union
[build] 13 | tft.init();
[build] | ^
[build] C:/Users/mytec/Documents/picow/TFT_eSPI/main.c:15:8: error: request for member 'fillRect' in something not a structure or union
[build] 15 | tft.fillRect(0, 0, 50, 50, TFT_RED);
[build] | ^
[build] ninja: build stopped: subcommand failed.
[proc] The command: "C:\Program Files\Raspberry Pi\Pico SDK v1.5.0\cmake\bin\cmake.EXE" --build c:/Users/mytec/Documents/picow/TFT_eSPI/build --config Debug --target all -- exited with code: 1```

[mytechnotalent]

#include <stdio.h>
#include "pico/stdlib.h"
#include "hardware/spi.h"

#include  "TFT_eSPI/User_Setup.h"

#define TFT_SPI_PORT spi0
#define TFT_SPI_SCLK_PIN 2
#define TFT_SPI_MOSI_PIN 3
#define TFT_SPI_CS_PIN 5
#define TFT_SPI_DC_PIN 6
#define TFT_SPI_RST_PIN 7
#define TFT_SPI_BL_PIN 8

void setup_spi() {
    spi_init(TFT_SPI_PORT, 125 * 1000 * 1000); // Set SPI clock to 125 MHz
    gpio_set_function(TFT_SPI_SCLK_PIN, GPIO_FUNC_SPI);
    gpio_set_function(TFT_SPI_MOSI_PIN, GPIO_FUNC_SPI);
    gpio_set_function(TFT_SPI_CS_PIN, GPIO_FUNC_SPI);
    gpio_set_function(TFT_SPI_DC_PIN, GPIO_FUNC_SPI);
    gpio_set_function(TFT_SPI_RST_PIN, GPIO_FUNC_SPI);
    gpio_set_function(TFT_SPI_BL_PIN, GPIO_FUNC_SPI);

    // Set up SPI CS pin as output and set it high (inactive)
    gpio_init(TFT_SPI_CS_PIN);
    gpio_set_dir(TFT_SPI_CS_PIN, GPIO_OUT);
    gpio_put(TFT_SPI_CS_PIN, 1);

    // Set up SPI DC pin as output and set it low (command mode)
    gpio_init(TFT_SPI_DC_PIN);
    gpio_set_dir(TFT_SPI_DC_PIN, GPIO_OUT);
    gpio_put(TFT_SPI_DC_PIN, 0);

    // Set up SPI RST pin as output and set it high (active)
    gpio_init(TFT_SPI_RST_PIN);
    gpio_set_dir(TFT_SPI_RST_PIN, GPIO_OUT);
    gpio_put(TFT_SPI_RST_PIN, 1);

    // Set up SPI BL pin as output and set it high (active)
    gpio_init(TFT_SPI_BL_PIN);
    gpio_set_dir(TFT_SPI_BL_PIN, GPIO_OUT);
    gpio_put(TFT_SPI_BL_PIN, 1);
}

Also created a new pico c sdk dir and put the TFT_eSPI folder in it and getting 2k errors

[mytechnotalent]

set(PICO_BOARD pico)

include(pico_sdk_import.cmake)

project(0x0005-gc9a01-driver C CXX ASM)
set(CMAKE_C_STANDARD 11)
set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)

pico_sdk_init()




include_directories(TFT_eSPI)
add_executable(0x0005-gc9a01-driver main.c TFT_eSPI/TFT_eSPI.cpp)
target_link_libraries(0x0005-gc9a01-driver pico_stdlib hardware_spi hardware_gpio)
        


pico_add_extra_outputs(0x0005-gc9a01-driver)```

[Bodmer]

Arduino libraries and sketches can be used with PlatformIO, there are tutorials on the website.

Here is an example content for the platformio.ini file. This will need to be adapted for your use case.
https://github.com/Bodmer/TFT_eSPI/blob/master/docs/PlatformIO/rp2040.txt

[mytechnotalent]

platformio.ini

;PlatformIO User notes:

;It is possible to load settings from the calling program rather than modifying
;the library for each project by modifying the "platformio.ini" file.

;The User_Setup_Select.h file will not load the user setting header files if
;USER_SETUP_LOADED is defined.

;Instead of using #define, use the -D prefix, for example:

; PlatformIO Project Configuration File
;
;   Build options: build flags, source filter, extra scripting
;   Upload options: custom port, speed and extra flags
;   Library options: dependencies, extra library storages
;
; Please visit documentation for the other options and examples
; http://docs.platformio.org/page/projectconf.html

[env:pico]
platform = https://github.com/maxgerhardt/platform-raspberrypi.git
board = pico
framework = arduino
board_build.core = earlephilhower
board_build.filesystem_size = 0.5m
lib_deps = bodmer/TFT_eSPI@^2.5.21
; change microcontroller
board_build.mcu = rp2040

; change MCU frequency
board_build.f_cpu = 133000000L

build_flags =
  -Os
  -DUSER_SETUP_LOADED=1
  ; Define the TFT driver, pins etc here:
  -DTFT_PARALLEL_8_BIT=1
  -DRM68120_DRIVER=1
  -DRP2040_PIO_CLK_DIV=1
  -DTFT_DC=6
  -DTFT_WR=2
  -DTFT_RST=7

  -DTFT_D0=12
  -DTFT_D1=13
  -DTFT_D2=14
  -DTFT_D3=15
  -DTFT_D4=16
  -DTFT_D5=17
  -DTFT_D6=18
  -DTFT_D7=19

  -DTFT_BL=8
  -DTFT_BACKLIGHT_ON=HIGH

  -DLOAD_GLCD=1
  -DLOAD_FONT2=1
  -DLOAD_FONT4=1
  -DLOAD_FONT6=1
  -DLOAD_FONT7=1
  -DLOAD_FONT8=1
  -DLOAD_GFXFF=1
  -DSMOOTH_FONT=1

  ; Define the specific pin mappings here:
  -DSCR_PIN_DIN=3
  -DSCR_PIN_CLK=2
  -DSCR_PIN_CS=5
  -DSCR_PIN_DC=6
  -DSCR_PIN_RST=7
  -DSCR_PIN_BL=8

main.cpp

//   Diagnostic test for the displayed colour order
//
// Written by Bodmer 17/2/19 for the TFT_eSPI library:
// https://github.com/Bodmer/TFT_eSPI

/* 
 Different hardware manufacturers use different colour order
 configurations at the hardware level.  This may result in
 incorrect colours being displayed.

 Incorrectly displayed colours could also be the result of
 using the wrong display driver in the library setup file.

 Typically displays have a control register (MADCTL) that can
 be used to set the Red Green Blue (RGB) colour order to RGB
 or BRG so that red and blue are swapped on the display.

 This control register is also used to manage the display
 rotation and coordinate mirroring. The control register
 typically has 8 bits, for the ILI9341 these are:

 Bit Function
 7   Mirror Y coordinate (row address order)
 6   Mirror X coordinate (column address order)
 5   Row/column exchange (for rotation)
 4   Refresh direction (top to bottom or bottom to top in portrait orientation)
 3   RGB order (swaps red and blue)
 2   Refresh direction (top to bottom or bottom to top in landscape orientation)
 1   Not used
 0   Not used

 The control register bits can be written with this example command sequence:
 
    tft.writecommand(TFT_MADCTL);
    tft.writedata(0x48);          // Bits 6 and 3 set
    
 0x48 is the default value for ILI9341 (0xA8 for ESP32 M5STACK)
 in rotation 0 orientation.
 
 Another control register can be used to "invert" colours,
 this swaps black and white as well as other colours (e.g.
 green to magenta, red to cyan, blue to yellow).
 
 To invert colours insert this line after tft.init() or tft.begin():

    tft.invertDisplay( invert ); // Where invert is true or false

*/

#include <SPI.h>

#include <TFT_eSPI.h>       // Hardware-specific library

TFT_eSPI tft = TFT_eSPI();  // Invoke custom library

void setup(void) {
  tft.init();

  tft.fillScreen(TFT_BLACK);
  tft.drawRect(0, 0, tft.width(), tft.height(), TFT_GREEN);

  // Set "cursor" at top left corner of display (0,0) and select font 4
  tft.setCursor(0, 4, 4);

  // Set the font colour to be white with a black background
  tft.setTextColor(TFT_WHITE);

  // We can now plot text on screen using the "print" class
  tft.println(" Initialised default\n");
  tft.println(" White text");
  
  tft.setTextColor(TFT_RED);
  tft.println(" Red text");
  
  tft.setTextColor(TFT_GREEN);
  tft.println(" Green text");
  
  tft.setTextColor(TFT_BLUE);
  tft.println(" Blue text");

  delay(5000);

}

void loop() {

  tft.invertDisplay( false ); // Where i is true or false
 
  tft.fillScreen(TFT_BLACK);
  tft.drawRect(0, 0, tft.width(), tft.height(), TFT_GREEN);

  tft.setCursor(0, 4, 4);

  tft.setTextColor(TFT_WHITE);
  tft.println(" Invert OFF\n");

  tft.println(" White text");
  
  tft.setTextColor(TFT_RED);
  tft.println(" Red text");
  
  tft.setTextColor(TFT_GREEN);
  tft.println(" Green text");
  
  tft.setTextColor(TFT_BLUE);
  tft.println(" Blue text");

  delay(5000);


  // Binary inversion of colours
  tft.invertDisplay( true ); // Where i is true or false
 
  tft.fillScreen(TFT_BLACK);
  tft.drawRect(0, 0, tft.width(), tft.height(), TFT_GREEN);

  tft.setCursor(0, 4, 4);

  tft.setTextColor(TFT_WHITE);
  tft.println(" Invert ON\n");

  tft.println(" White text");
  
  tft.setTextColor(TFT_RED);
  tft.println(" Red text");
  
  tft.setTextColor(TFT_GREEN);
  tft.println(" Green text");
  
  tft.setTextColor(TFT_BLUE);
  tft.println(" Blue text");

  delay(5000);
}

result

Error: VCS: Could not process command ['git', 'clone', '--recursive', 'https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico.git', 'C:\\Users\\mytec\\.platformio\\.cache\\tmp\\pkg-installing-ejwdlins']

 *  The terminal process "C:\Users\mytec\.platformio\penv\Scripts\platformio.exe 'run', '--environment', 'pico'" terminated with exit code: 1. 

@Bodmer I see you closed the issue as you provided all you could and thank you. I will continue to try to debug but have tried this on several systems.

The issue is with Error: VCS: Could not process command ['git', 'clone', '--recursive', 'https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico.git', however I am using your config exactly as it was provided in your repo but unable to pull that repo and nothing builds.

Thanks anyway. Thanks again for your great library!

[Bodmer]

There is something wrong with the software environment. Other users have it working with PlatformIO so I am unable to help.

[mytechnotalent]

Got it figured out. It was an issue with long path names in Windows. git config --system core.longpaths true and and enabled Win32 Long Paths

[Bodmer]

Great!