The VM800P 'Plus' is the latest in the series of EVE Development modules and further extends system integration by providing a comprehensive, fully integrated, ready to use development system, designed to provide engineers with everything necessary to create quality Human Machine Interface (HMI) solutions with display, audio and touch functionality.

This completely Arduino-compatible module features an FT800 graphics controller IC for three in one operation (display, audio and touch) and its FT232R USB UART interface IC for MCU programming and communications, controlled from an inbuilt ATMEGA328P microcontroller operating at 5V/16MHz. Programming and configuration is easily achieved via the Arduino IDE, using a pre-programmed Arduino-compatible bootloader.

The development system offers a hi-quality system with an elegantly designed, precision fit bezel that provides a resistive touch panel sensor and component board in a rugged, plastic enclosure. Offered in black (-BK) colours, the device provides the engineer a low priced option which can shorten development time while enabling a production finished look for 3.5", 4.3" or 5" colour TFT display solutions.

An abundance of enhanced features are included in the 'Plus' module: a backlit LED driver, inbuilt audio amplifier and micro-speaker, Real Time Clock (RTC) with battery backup, on-board 3.3v/5v level shifters, e-Flash IC build option, and a Micro-SD Card socket for application store plus 4GB SD card pre-loaded with 11 interactive application demonstrations and one library of free running apps, showcasing just a few examples of what this innovative device, designed primarily for industrial and commercial purpose, could be used for. The Arduino-compatible display system development platforms run off a standard 5V,delivered via a micro-USB or an auxiliary power connector. Furthermore, Micro-MaTch miniature connectors are provided to further extend functionality, and plug in card connectors are available to expand the IO capability to include GPIO, RS232, RS485, RELAY IO, Ethernet and POE, promoting improved connectivity and the ability to transmit over longer distances.

For more information, please click here for the Press Release or click here to access the Datasheet

FTDI Chip supports two programming solutions for the VM800P module, the HAL and the Arduino libraries. The architecture of both development systems can be seen within the block diagrams below:

The first diagram portrays a sample application using the HAL structure, which is further detailed in Application Note 246 - VM800CB_SampleApp_Arduino_Introduction. The sample application is designed to easily port to numerous MCUs over SPI by introducing one generic Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL), which can then be used as a guideline for other platforms.

Alternatively, by utilising the Arduino library as outlined in Application Note 318 - Arduino_Library_For_FT800_Series the engineer benefits from dedicated library support and examples, and can operate over the popular and easy to use Arduino IDE, using a pre-programmed Arduino Bootloader.