E-PAPER EPD PICTAIL PLUS DAUGHTER BOARD

FAQ

1. Where do I get the EPD PICtail Plus Daughter Board User’s Guide, Schematics or Source code?
All of these can be downloaded at this link: https://www.pervasivedisplays.com/kits/.
The source code is based on the Microchip Graphics Library.

2. What does the S0000AS0T3 kit include?
The kit includes the PICtail Plus Daughter Board (blank) with 3 sizes of EPD displays, 1.44”, 2” and 2.7” displays.
The Microchip Explorer 16 development board is required for use with this EPD PICtail Plus Daughter Board and is sold separately through Microchip and other distributors.

3. Where can I purchase the EPD PICtail Plus Daughter Board?
This product is sold by Pervasive Displays, through their distribution partners such as Digi-Key and the price is $79.75.

4. What is E Ink Technology?
Please see our partner, Pervasive Displays, overview on e-paper (EPD) at this link: https://www.pervasivedisplays.com/. This gives a good overview on the E Ink technology, benefits of using e-paper and very low power characteristics of e-paper.

5. What is a bistable display?
A bistable display requires no power to maintain an image on the screen. So when the screen is not being updated, no power is needed.

6. What does Pervasive Displays do?
PDI assembles e-paper modules by adding the E Ink film on top of Chilin's active-matrix TFT backplane and then covering it with a protective sheet. The panel is driven by PDI's chip on glass ICs and timing control software, which is stored and executed on a micro controller on the attached printed circuit board.

7. Why do applications need e-paper?
E-paper is ideal for low power applications that need good visibility in sunlight or direct light conditions. It works well with battery or energy harvesting applications. It has a wide viewing angle and is very light and thin. It is more expensive than a traditional TFT or LCD display.

8. What sizes of e-paper can be driven directly with a PIC MCU?
Today we have development systems for 1.44, 2 and 2.7” e-paper displays being directly driven by a PIC24 XLP MCU. It is possible to drive larger screens up to 4.3” sizes.

9. What PIC MCU do you recommend for use with the EPD PICtail Plus Board? Any
PIC24 or PIC32 PIM will work with the Explorer 16. The PIC24FJ128GA310 XLP Family is the best combination of low power with the memory needed for this type of application. This PIC24 family has active currents as low as 150uA/MHz, low power RAM retention mode with 330nA current, and a VBAT battery backup with RTCC of 400 nA.
The demo code uses approximately 80KB of the Flash and 2KB RAM. This requirement will vary based on the application and screens needed.

10. What target markets or applications use e-paper displays?
E-paper is ideal for applications that need high contrast for visibility in direct light and low power for long battery life. This technology mimics the appearance of ordinary ink on paper. The displays are bi-stable, meaning no power is needed to show the content on the screen. Power is only needed when the screen content is updated. In general e-paper has a monochrome appearance with a slower refresh rate than color TFT screens.
• Reusable transit items for asset tracking or shipping containers
• Personal/Portable devices such as instrumentation, pedometers or watches
• Labels/Signage

11. What is the budgetary pricing for a 2” e-paper display?
Budgetary pricing is approximately $8.70 for a 2” EPD at 10k quantities. A complete list of worldwide distributors for Pervasive Displays can be found at this link: https://www.pervasivedisplays.com/