USB + Serial Backpack Kit with 16x2 RGB backlight positive LCD - Black on RGB

The Adafruit USB or TTL serial backpack makes adding a character display to your project or computer simple and efficient. This custom-designed PCB attaches to the back of a standard 16x2 or 20x4 character LCD, offering a range of functions like printing text, automatic scrolling, adjusting the backlight, controlling contrast, creating custom characters, and toggling the cursor. It also supports RGB backlight LCDs, providing full 8-bit PWM control over the backlight, allowing you to customize the background color to any desired shade such as red, green, blue, pink, white, purple, yellow, teal, salmon, chartreuse, or simply turn it off for a neutral background.

Inside the backpack, a USB-capable AT90USB162 chip listens for commands via both a USB type C port and a TTL serial input wire. The USB interface appears as a COM/serial port on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, with automatic switching between the data sources. The USB connection can work at any baud rate, while the TTL connection defaults to 9600 baud but can be adjusted to 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 28800, or 57600 baud. Customizations, including baud rate, backlight color, brightness, splash screen, and more, are saved permanently in EEPROM.

The command interface is compatible with popular "Matrix Orbital" specifications, making it compatible with computer applications or libraries like "LCD Smartie" that expect a "Matrix" LCD. The backpack also offers additional commands for controlling the RGB backlight and setting the LCD size. If you prefer, you can bypass the commands and simply send ASCII text to display it on the LCD.

This mini-kit includes:

• The Adafruit USB+Serial LCD backpack
• One 16x2 RGB positive backlight LCD
• A strip of header pins

The LCD needs to be soldered onto the backpack using the provided header, a task that is straightforward and beginner-friendly with a soldering iron and solder.

Technical Details:

The Adafruit USB or TTL serial backpack is designed with a range of features and customization options for character LCDs.

Backpack Features:

• Compatible with any standard 16x2 or 20x4 character LCD, including Adafruit RGB LCDs.
• Full PWM control for RGB backlight.
• Supports Matrix Orbital commands, including:
  • Autoscrolling
  • Baud rate adjustment
  • Screen clearing
  • Splash screen change
  • Auto-wrap
  • Cursor setting
  • Home position
  • Cursor movement
  • Underline/block cursor
  • Custom character creation
  • Saving and loading custom character banks
  • Display on/off
  • Brightness and contrast adjustment
  • General-purpose outputs (4).
• Extended Adafruit commands include:
  • Set RGB backlight color
  • Set LCD size (up to 20x4).

Volatility Statement:

• This product retains settings such as baud rate, brightness, and screen size when powered down or unplugged. However, the text data displayed is not saved (volatile).

LCD Features:

• 16 characters wide, 2 rows.
• Black text on a multi-color background.
• Built-in character set supports both English and Japanese text (refer to HD44780 datasheet for the full character set).
• Ability to create up to 8 extra custom characters or support foreign language glyphs.

Revision History:

• As of October 2, 2024, the backpack now features a modern USB-C connector instead of mini USB.
• The silkscreen has been updated with Adafruit's Pinguin design for a clearer and more legible display.

Additional Information:

• Drivers, EagleCAD PCB files, and Fritzing objects are available in the product tutorial for easy integration.