UDP Catcher

Objective

This project aims to create a device using a Raspberry Pi Pico W and a 16x2 LCD with RGB backlight. The device will receive 16-byte messages via UDP, scrolling up the LCD to add each new message on the bottom line.

Equipment

• Raspberry Pi Pico W - Adafruit Product ID 5526
• 16x2 LCD with RGB backlight - Adafruit Product ID 398
• Jumper wires
• Breadboard (optional for prototyping)
• Wi-Fi network access

Construction

Wiring the LCD to the Raspberry Pi Pico W

1. LCD Power and Ground:

   • Connect the VSS pin of the LCD to GND on the Pico W.
   • Connect the VDD or VCC to 3.3V or 5V on the Pico W (as per LCD's specification).

2. LCD Data Pins:

   • Connect RS (Register Select) to GP17, E (Enable) to GP22, and D4 to D7 to GP18, GP19, GP20, and GP21 respectively on the Pico W.

3. Backlight:

   • ...

Setting Up the Raspberry Pi Pico W

• Install CircuitPython on your Raspberry Pi Pico W.
• Add the necessary libraries (wifi, socketpool, adafruit_character_lcd) to the Pico W.

Code

Receiving UDP packets.

Testing

1. Initial Power-Up and LCD Check:

   • After completing the wiring, power up your Raspberry Pi Pico W.
   • Check if the LCD lights up and displays the initial message ("!!! Pico W !!!"). This confirms that the LCD is correctly powered and initialized.

2. Wi-Fi Connection Verification:

   • Ensure that the Pico W successfully connects to your Wi-Fi network.
   • The LCD should display the IP address of the Pico W, confirming successful network connection.

3. Sending Test UDP Packets:

   • Use a computer or a mobile device on the same Wi-Fi network to send UDP packets to the Pico W.
   • You can use network tools or scripting languages (like Python with the socket module) to send packets to the Pico W's IP address at the specified port (default 5000).

4. Observing LCD Updates:

   • When the Pico W receives a UDP packet, observe the LCD to check if the message scrolls and displays correctly.
   • The new message should appear at the bottom of the display, and the previous message should move up.

5. Debugging:

   • If messages are not displayed as expected, check your network settings and confirm that UDP packets are being sent to the correct IP address and port.
   • Revisit your code to ensure that the logic for receiving UDP packets and updating the LCD is correctly implemented.

6. Continuous Operation Test:

   • To test the stability and continuous operation, send messages at regular intervals and observe the LCD over a longer period.

Conclusions

Upon completing this project, you have successfully built a device using a Raspberry Pi Pico W and a 16x2 LCD, capable of displaying messages received via UDP. This project not only demonstrates your ability to integrate various components - a microcontroller, LCD display, and networking - but also highlights your skills in software development with CircuitPython.

Achievements

• Hardware Integration: Successfully interfaced a Raspberry Pi Pico W with an LCD.
• Networking: Implemented UDP communication to receive real-time data.
• Software Development: Developed and debugged a CircuitPython program to control hardware based on network inputs.

Learnings

• Gained experience in handling LCD displays and understanding their communication protocols.
• Learned about network programming in CircuitPython, particularly working with UDP sockets.
• Improved problem-solving skills, especially in debugging hardware-software interactions.

Potential Enhancements

• Dynamic Backlight Control: If desired, implement PWM control for the LCD’s backlight to enable dynamic color changes.
• Advanced Message Handling: Implement features like message queuing, filtering, or formatting for better display management.
• Integration with IoT Platforms: Consider integrating with IoT platforms for more complex applications or remote message sending.