Can't get SSD1309 to work

Other Hardware Displays
1

Hello!

I'm trying to use an unbranded SPI SSD1309 2.42" OLED screen to work with my Arduino Uno Rev3.

Here is the back of the screen:

4032×3024 898 KB

As you can see, I have removed R3 and soldered a blob on R4, as that's what it says to enable SPI.
Then I connect the screen through a breadboard like so:

3024×4032 2.45 MB

This is how the pins are connected:

OLED UNO
GND GND
VCC 5V
SCL 13
SDA 11~
RES 8
DC 9~
CS 10~

There's no schematic of the screen where I bought it from, and I can't find what manufacturer it is. I went off this forum thread for the wiring.

I'm trying to use the u8g2 library which is supposed to work with SSD1309. This is the code example i'm uploading to my Uno. It doesn't seem to matter which constructor I use. The screen is just black, nothing happens.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

#include <Arduino.h>
#include <U8g2lib.h>

#ifdef U8X8_HAVE_HW_SPI
#include <SPI.h>
#endif
#ifdef U8X8_HAVE_HW_I2C
#include <Wire.h>
#endif

// Please UNCOMMENT one of the contructor lines below
// U8g2 Contructor List (Frame Buffer)
// The complete list is available here: https://github.com/olikraus/u8g2/wiki/u8g2setupcpp
// Please update the pin numbers according to your setup. Use U8X8_PIN_NONE if the reset pin is not connected
//U8G2_SSD1309_128X64_NONAME0_F_4W_SW_SPI u8g2(U8G2_R0, /* clock=*/ 13, /* data=*/ 11, /* cs=*/ 10, /* dc=*/ 9, /* reset=*/ 8);  
//U8G2_SSD1309_128X64_NONAME0_F_4W_HW_SPI u8g2(U8G2_R0, /* cs=*/ 10, /* dc=*/ 9, /* reset=*/ 8);  
//U8G2_SSD1309_128X64_NONAME2_F_4W_SW_SPI u8g2(U8G2_R0, /* clock=*/ 13, /* data=*/ 11, /* cs=*/ 10, /* dc=*/ 9, /* reset=*/ 8);  
U8G2_SSD1309_128X64_NONAME2_F_4W_HW_SPI u8g2(U8G2_R0, /* cs=*/ 10, /* dc=*/ 9, /* reset=*/ 8);  


// End of constructor list


void u8g2_prepare(void) {
  u8g2.setFont(u8g2_font_6x10_tf);
  u8g2.setFontRefHeightExtendedText();
  u8g2.setDrawColor(1);
  u8g2.setFontPosTop();
  u8g2.setFontDirection(0);
}

void u8g2_box_frame(uint8_t a) {
  u8g2.drawStr( 0, 0, "drawBox");
  u8g2.drawBox(5,10,20,10);
  u8g2.drawBox(10+a,15,30,7);
  u8g2.drawStr( 0, 30, "drawFrame");
  u8g2.drawFrame(5,10+30,20,10);
  u8g2.drawFrame(10+a,15+30,30,7);
}

void u8g2_disc_circle(uint8_t a) {
  u8g2.drawStr( 0, 0, "drawDisc");
  u8g2.drawDisc(10,18,9);
  u8g2.drawDisc(24+a,16,7);
  u8g2.drawStr( 0, 30, "drawCircle");
  u8g2.drawCircle(10,18+30,9);
  u8g2.drawCircle(24+a,16+30,7);
}

void u8g2_r_frame(uint8_t a) {
  u8g2.drawStr( 0, 0, "drawRFrame/Box");
  u8g2.drawRFrame(5, 10,40,30, a+1);
  u8g2.drawRBox(50, 10,25,40, a+1);
}

void u8g2_string(uint8_t a) {
  u8g2.setFontDirection(0);
  u8g2.drawStr(30+a,31, " 0");
  u8g2.setFontDirection(1);
  u8g2.drawStr(30,31+a, " 90");
  u8g2.setFontDirection(2);
  u8g2.drawStr(30-a,31, " 180");
  u8g2.setFontDirection(3);
  u8g2.drawStr(30,31-a, " 270");
}

void u8g2_line(uint8_t a) {
  u8g2.drawStr( 0, 0, "drawLine");
  u8g2.drawLine(7+a, 10, 40, 55);
  u8g2.drawLine(7+a*2, 10, 60, 55);
  u8g2.drawLine(7+a*3, 10, 80, 55);
  u8g2.drawLine(7+a*4, 10, 100, 55);
}

void u8g2_triangle(uint8_t a) {
  uint16_t offset = a;
  u8g2.drawStr( 0, 0, "drawTriangle");
  u8g2.drawTriangle(14,7, 45,30, 10,40);
  u8g2.drawTriangle(14+offset,7-offset, 45+offset,30-offset, 57+offset,10-offset);
  u8g2.drawTriangle(57+offset*2,10, 45+offset*2,30, 86+offset*2,53);
  u8g2.drawTriangle(10+offset,40+offset, 45+offset,30+offset, 86+offset,53+offset);
}

void u8g2_ascii_1() {
  char s[2] = " ";
  uint8_t x, y;
  u8g2.drawStr( 0, 0, "ASCII page 1");
  for( y = 0; y < 6; y++ ) {
    for( x = 0; x < 16; x++ ) {
      s[0] = y*16 + x + 32;
      u8g2.drawStr(x*7, y*10+10, s);
    }
  }
}

void u8g2_ascii_2() {
  char s[2] = " ";
  uint8_t x, y;
  u8g2.drawStr( 0, 0, "ASCII page 2");
  for( y = 0; y < 6; y++ ) {
    for( x = 0; x < 16; x++ ) {
      s[0] = y*16 + x + 160;
      u8g2.drawStr(x*7, y*10+10, s);
    }
  }
}

void u8g2_extra_page(uint8_t a)
{
  u8g2.drawStr( 0, 0, "Unicode");
  u8g2.setFont(u8g2_font_unifont_t_symbols);
  u8g2.setFontPosTop();
  u8g2.drawUTF8(0, 24, "☀ ☁");
  switch(a) {
    case 0:
    case 1:
    case 2:
    case 3:
      u8g2.drawUTF8(a*3, 36, "☂");
      break;
    case 4:
    case 5:
    case 6:
    case 7:
      u8g2.drawUTF8(a*3, 36, "☔");
      break;
  }
}

#define cross_width 24
#define cross_height 24
static const unsigned char cross_bits[] U8X8_PROGMEM  = {
  0x00, 0x18, 0x00, 0x00, 0x24, 0x00, 0x00, 0x24, 0x00, 0x00, 0x42, 0x00, 
  0x00, 0x42, 0x00, 0x00, 0x42, 0x00, 0x00, 0x81, 0x00, 0x00, 0x81, 0x00, 
  0xC0, 0x00, 0x03, 0x38, 0x3C, 0x1C, 0x06, 0x42, 0x60, 0x01, 0x42, 0x80, 
  0x01, 0x42, 0x80, 0x06, 0x42, 0x60, 0x38, 0x3C, 0x1C, 0xC0, 0x00, 0x03, 
  0x00, 0x81, 0x00, 0x00, 0x81, 0x00, 0x00, 0x42, 0x00, 0x00, 0x42, 0x00, 
  0x00, 0x42, 0x00, 0x00, 0x24, 0x00, 0x00, 0x24, 0x00, 0x00, 0x18, 0x00, };

#define cross_fill_width 24
#define cross_fill_height 24
static const unsigned char cross_fill_bits[] U8X8_PROGMEM  = {
  0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x18, 0x00, 0x18, 0x64, 0x00, 0x26, 
  0x84, 0x00, 0x21, 0x08, 0x81, 0x10, 0x08, 0x42, 0x10, 0x10, 0x3C, 0x08, 
  0x20, 0x00, 0x04, 0x40, 0x00, 0x02, 0x80, 0x00, 0x01, 0x80, 0x18, 0x01, 
  0x80, 0x18, 0x01, 0x80, 0x00, 0x01, 0x40, 0x00, 0x02, 0x20, 0x00, 0x04, 
  0x10, 0x3C, 0x08, 0x08, 0x42, 0x10, 0x08, 0x81, 0x10, 0x84, 0x00, 0x21, 
  0x64, 0x00, 0x26, 0x18, 0x00, 0x18, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, };

#define cross_block_width 14
#define cross_block_height 14
static const unsigned char cross_block_bits[] U8X8_PROGMEM  = {
  0xFF, 0x3F, 0x01, 0x20, 0x01, 0x20, 0x01, 0x20, 0x01, 0x20, 0x01, 0x20, 
  0xC1, 0x20, 0xC1, 0x20, 0x01, 0x20, 0x01, 0x20, 0x01, 0x20, 0x01, 0x20, 
  0x01, 0x20, 0xFF, 0x3F, };

void u8g2_bitmap_overlay(uint8_t a) {
  uint8_t frame_size = 28;

  u8g2.drawStr(0, 0, "Bitmap overlay");

  u8g2.drawStr(0, frame_size + 12, "Solid / transparent");
  u8g2.setBitmapMode(false /* solid */);
  u8g2.drawFrame(0, 10, frame_size, frame_size);
  u8g2.drawXBMP(2, 12, cross_width, cross_height, cross_bits);
  if(a & 4)
    u8g2.drawXBMP(7, 17, cross_block_width, cross_block_height, cross_block_bits);

  u8g2.setBitmapMode(true /* transparent*/);
  u8g2.drawFrame(frame_size + 5, 10, frame_size, frame_size);
  u8g2.drawXBMP(frame_size + 7, 12, cross_width, cross_height, cross_bits);
  if(a & 4)
    u8g2.drawXBMP(frame_size + 12, 17, cross_block_width, cross_block_height, cross_block_bits);
}

void u8g2_bitmap_modes(uint8_t transparent) {
  const uint8_t frame_size = 24;

  u8g2.drawBox(0, frame_size * 0.5, frame_size * 5, frame_size);
  u8g2.drawStr(frame_size * 0.5, 50, "Black");
  u8g2.drawStr(frame_size * 2, 50, "White");
  u8g2.drawStr(frame_size * 3.5, 50, "XOR");
  
  if(!transparent) {
    u8g2.setBitmapMode(false /* solid */);
    u8g2.drawStr(0, 0, "Solid bitmap");
  } else {
    u8g2.setBitmapMode(true /* transparent*/);
    u8g2.drawStr(0, 0, "Transparent bitmap");
  }
  u8g2.setDrawColor(0);// Black
  u8g2.drawXBMP(frame_size * 0.5, 24, cross_width, cross_height, cross_bits);
  u8g2.setDrawColor(1); // White
  u8g2.drawXBMP(frame_size * 2, 24, cross_width, cross_height, cross_bits);
  u8g2.setDrawColor(2); // XOR
  u8g2.drawXBMP(frame_size * 3.5, 24, cross_width, cross_height, cross_bits);
}

uint8_t draw_state = 0;

void draw(void) {
  u8g2_prepare();
  switch(draw_state >> 3) {
    case 0: u8g2_box_frame(draw_state&7); break;
    case 1: u8g2_disc_circle(draw_state&7); break;
    case 2: u8g2_r_frame(draw_state&7); break;
    case 3: u8g2_string(draw_state&7); break;
    case 4: u8g2_line(draw_state&7); break;
    case 5: u8g2_triangle(draw_state&7); break;
    case 6: u8g2_ascii_1(); break;
    case 7: u8g2_ascii_2(); break;
    case 8: u8g2_extra_page(draw_state&7); break;
    case 9: u8g2_bitmap_modes(0); break;
    case 10: u8g2_bitmap_modes(1); break;
    case 11: u8g2_bitmap_overlay(draw_state&7); break;
  }
}


void setup(void) {
  u8g2.begin();
}

void loop(void) {
  // picture loop  
  u8g2.clearBuffer();
  draw();
  u8g2.sendBuffer();
  
  // increase the state
  draw_state++;
  if ( draw_state >= 12*8 )
    draw_state = 0;

  // deley between each page
  delay(100);

}
2

You have RES and MOSI around the wrong way.

I suggest that you replace one of the yellow jumpers with a different colour.
Or take a marker pen and paint some stripes on one of the yellow jumpers to distinguish it from the plain yellow jumper.

Bit late now, but it would have been wise to first test with the default I2C configuration and I2C constructor.

David.

3

Hi!

Thanks for the reply.

So you mean RES should be on digital pin 11 and MOSI / SDA should be on digital pin 8 instead of how I have it now (RES = 8, MOSI / SDA = 11)?
Regarding I2C, is it too late to test? Can't I just jump the correct wires with solder? Or should I not have removed that resistor on R3?

4

From your photo the SDA pin seems to go to D8 on your Uno with a yellow jumper wire.
And the RES pin seems to go to D11 with a yellow jumper wire.

Which is why I suggested a different colour wire.

I have not got your display. I don't know whether R3, R5 were 0R or some other value.
I do not have the schematic or manual. I don't know whether you needed to remove R3, R5.
It should be easy to follow copper traces and reconstruct the R3, R4, R5 connections to compare with the SSD1309 datasheet.

David.

5

Sorry for the confusion. I have switched the SDA wire to orange. It goes to D11, and RES goes to D8.

I assumed I should remove R3 because the back of the display says "SPI: R4", "IIC: R3, R5". Maybe I was mistaken. I understand it's impossible for you to know without schematics. Do you know if there is a way for me to make sure the driver isn't dead so i'm not trying in vain? I'm a novice so I may very well have fried it at some point.

Thanks a lot for your help!

6

Looking at the photo in this link https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-42-inch-LCD-Display-OLED-RGB-SSD1309-12864-SPI-Serial-Port-for-Arduino-C51/152952002220

R4 is 4k7 and R3, R5 are not mounted.

So I would replace your solder blob with a 4k7 resistor and try again.

Personally, I find I2C to be more convenient for small monochrome displays.
But SPI is faster for animations.

David.

Edit. From the DiyMore website:

SPI communication or I2C communication can be switched by configuring three resistors R3 R4 R5.

As for IIC communication, it is necessary to move the resistor on R4 to R3, and R5 is soldered with 0 ohm resistor.

I2C: R3=4k7, R4=empty, R5=0R,
SPI: R3=empty, R4=4k7, R5=empty

7

Thank you for this info! Will resolder and try again.

Really appreciated!