LCD connection

Hi :
   I am trying to build an entertainment system for my car, I got a single
board computer with standard VGA interface. I also have a sharp LQ64D343 TFT
LCD ripped off from a development board. It also has a touch screen, but
since my SBC doesn't have touch screen controller, so I think I can't use
it.
   I spent a couple of days surfing the net trying to get some info on how
to hook up that LCD panel to VGA port with no luck.
   My question is , is it really doable ? I suppose only analogue monitor
can directly connect to VGA. In my case, the datasheet of the LCD stated
that it support VGA, but the pin out really confused me,( it has 34 pins,
and signal doesn't looks like VGA).
   Does anybody have know how to hook it up? or anybody could direct me to
the right resource?  I wouldn't mind if I am told that I have to lay out a
PCB to make it works. Just don't know where I should start.

Thank you!
chris.

"Chris sun" <lei_sun@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:7uednUUKFKz6G23dRVn-vg@comcast.com...
<snip>
> can directly connect to VGA. In my case, the datasheet of the LCD stated
> that it support VGA, but the pin out really confused me,( it has 34 pins,
> and signal doesn't looks like VGA).
<snip>
The datasheet maybe mentioned the panel had VGA _resolution_ (640x480), but
the panel is a 18(?)-bit TFT LCD, which requires parallel digital colour
signals for each pixel.
Get a different panel.
Robb.

On Sunday, in article
     <IoWdnd-j3sqQWW3dRVn-hQ@edaptivity.com>
     mainr_at_spamjam_bigfoot_dot_com "RM" wrote:
>"Chris sun" <lei_sun@comcast.net> wrote in message
>news:7uednUUKFKz6G23dRVn-vg@comcast.com...
><snip>
>> can directly connect to VGA. In my case, the datasheet of the LCD stated
>> that it support VGA, but the pin out really confused me,( it has 34 pins,
>> and signal doesn't looks like VGA).
><snip>
>The datasheet maybe mentioned the panel had VGA _resolution_ (640x480), but
>the panel is a 18(?)-bit TFT LCD, which requires parallel digital colour
>signals for each pixel.
>Get a different panel.
>Robb.

Or work out how to do video A/D work and timing synchronistaion. Unless
the panel already has a more normal connector via a cable, the panel
probably has a tiny connector that will provide more problems than the
electronics.

Too many panels from the same manufacturer have different connectors
on different models, for the same type of input.

--
Paul Carpenter		| paul@pcserv.demon.co.uk
<http://www.pcserv.demon.co.uk/>        Main Site
<http://www.gnuh8.org.uk/>              GNU H8 & mailing list info.
<http://www.badweb.org.uk/>             For those web sites you hate.

>    I am trying to build an entertainment system for my car, I got a single
> board computer with standard VGA interface. I also have a sharp LQ64D343 TFT
> LCD ripped off from a development board. It also has a touch screen, but

What is the SBC? Does it have a parallel LCD output as well?

"Lewin A.R.W. Edwards" <larwe@larwe.com> wrote in message
news:608b6569.0407110502.644b437a@posting.google.com...
> >    I am trying to build an entertainment system for my car, I got a
single
> > board computer with standard VGA interface. I also have a sharp LQ64D343
TFT
> > LCD ripped off from a development board. It also has a touch screen, but
>
> What is the SBC? Does it have a parallel LCD output as well?
It is a SBC based on national geod GX1 processor with CS5530A companion
chip. The CS5530A does have 18 bits flat pannel support. But looks like the
board didn't provide connector for those pins.

This is a good idea.
>the panel
> probably has a tiny connector that will provide more problems than the
> electronics.
don't quite understand what you meant here.

"Paul Carpenter" <paul$@pcserv.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:20040711.0806.301359snz@pcserv.demon.co.uk...
> On Sunday, in article
>      <IoWdnd-j3sqQWW3dRVn-hQ@edaptivity.com>
>      mainr_at_spamjam_bigfoot_dot_com "RM" wrote:
> >"Chris sun" <lei_sun@comcast.net> wrote in message
> >news:7uednUUKFKz6G23dRVn-vg@comcast.com...
> ><snip>
> >> can directly connect to VGA. In my case, the datasheet of the LCD
stated
> >> that it support VGA, but the pin out really confused me,( it has 34
pins,
> >> and signal doesn't looks like VGA).
> ><snip>
> >The datasheet maybe mentioned the panel had VGA _resolution_ (640x480),
but
> >the panel is a 18(?)-bit TFT LCD, which requires parallel digital colour
> >signals for each pixel.
> >Get a different panel.
> >Robb.
>
> Or work out how to do video A/D work and timing synchronistaion. Unless
> the panel already has a more normal connector via a cable, the panel
> probably has a tiny connector that will provide more problems than the
> electronics.
>
> Too many panels from the same manufacturer have different connectors
> on different models, for the same type of input.
>
> --
> Paul Carpenter | paul@pcserv.demon.co.uk
> <http://www.pcserv.demon.co.uk/>        Main Site
> <http://www.gnuh8.org.uk/>              GNU H8 & mailing list info.
> <http://www.badweb.org.uk/>             For those web sites you hate.
>

> It is a SBC based on national geod GX1 processor with CS5530A companion
> chip. The CS5530A does have 18 bits flat pannel support. But looks like the
> board didn't provide connector for those pins.

Oh boy. I know the chipset very well. Well, first have a look for
unpopulated connectors - maybe they did run the lines to pads
someplace..

"Lewin A.R.W. Edwards" <larwe@larwe.com> wrote in message
news:608b6569.0407111712.133a91d7@posting.google.com...
> > It is a SBC based on national geod GX1 processor with CS5530A companion
> > chip. The CS5530A does have 18 bits flat pannel support. But looks like
the
> > board didn't provide connector for those pins.
>
> Oh boy. I know the chipset very well. Well, first have a look for
> unpopulated connectors - maybe they did run the lines to pads
> someplace..
I tried check the connectors, but the board is 7 layer PCB, it's hard to see
where it runs to .
Do you think it's feasible that if i build a A/D converter to convert VGA
signal into 18 bits digital ?

On Sunday, in article <teWdnf4d-sra-Wzd4p2dnA@comcast.com>
     lei_sun@comcast.net "Chris sun" wrote:

>This is a good idea.
>>the panel
>> probably has a tiny connector that will provide more problems than the
>> electronics.
>don't quite understand what you meant here.

Basically LCD panels especially for graphics, are mainly laptop/mobile
applications orientated, made for short periods of time. Then new models
come out and my experience with several manufacturers is they all claim
to use standard connectors, but it depends on what the standard was
when the panel came out.

I have seen many manafacturers, with different models at same resolution
have completely different connectors to connect your 18bit digital signals
upto.

These connectors are nearly always 0.5mm pitch or LESS!

The amount of adapter cable designs I have had to go through is unbelievable.
Quite often in a short period of time. I tend to design interfaces for
digital interface outputs that use a 0.1" connector then adapter cable
to the particular panel in use at the time.

>"Paul Carpenter" <paul$@pcserv.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:20040711.0806.301359snz@pcserv.demon.co.uk...
>> On Sunday, in article
>>      <IoWdnd-j3sqQWW3dRVn-hQ@edaptivity.com>
>>      mainr_at_spamjam_bigfoot_dot_com "RM" wrote:
>> >"Chris sun" <lei_sun@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> >news:7uednUUKFKz6G23dRVn-vg@comcast.com...
>> ><snip>
>> >> can directly connect to VGA. In my case, the datasheet of the LCD
>stated
>> >> that it support VGA, but the pin out really confused me,( it has 34
>pins,
>> >> and signal doesn't looks like VGA).
>> ><snip>
>> >The datasheet maybe mentioned the panel had VGA _resolution_ (640x480),
>but
>> >the panel is a 18(?)-bit TFT LCD, which requires parallel digital colour
>> >signals for each pixel.
>> >Get a different panel.
>> >Robb.
>>
>> Or work out how to do video A/D work and timing synchronistaion. Unless
>> the panel already has a more normal connector via a cable, the panel
>> probably has a tiny connector that will provide more problems than the
>> electronics.
>>
>> Too many panels from the same manufacturer have different connectors
>> on different models, for the same type of input.
>>
>> --
>> Paul Carpenter | paul@pcserv.demon.co.uk
>> <http://www.pcserv.demon.co.uk/>        Main Site
>> <http://www.gnuh8.org.uk/>              GNU H8 & mailing list info.
>> <http://www.badweb.org.uk/>             For those web sites you hate.
>>
>
>
>

-- 
Paul Carpenter		| paul@pcserv.demon.co.uk
<http://www.pcserv.demon.co.uk/>        Main Site
<http://www.gnuh8.org.uk/>              GNU H8 & mailing list info.
<http://www.badweb.org.uk/>             For those web sites you hate.

On Sunday, in article <zKKdnRmW5_CUYGzdRVn-hQ@comcast.com>
     lei_sun@comcast.net "Chris sun" wrote:

>"Lewin A.R.W. Edwards" <larwe@larwe.com> wrote in message
>news:608b6569.0407111712.133a91d7@posting.google.com...
>> > It is a SBC based on national geod GX1 processor with CS5530A companion
>> > chip. The CS5530A does have 18 bits flat pannel support. But looks like
>the
>> > board didn't provide connector for those pins.
>>
>> Oh boy. I know the chipset very well. Well, first have a look for
>> unpopulated connectors - maybe they did run the lines to pads
>> someplace..
>I tried check the connectors, but the board is 7 layer PCB, it's hard to see
>where it runs to .
>Do you think it's feasible that if i build a A/D converter to convert VGA
>signal into 18 bits digital ?

If you cannot find the digital outputs or where to add the connector to get
the digital outputs, the YES you will need a circuit with a TRIPLE A/D. Also
you will need some form of circuit to control the digitisation and clock
locking to digitise the signal.

I would suggest you think about the evaluation board for the Averlogic
AL300 (digital video to LCD controller) or even just their AL875 (triple A/D)
Both are quite cheap and as soon as you move away from VGA resolution, you
can sometimes have problems with sync polarity interfacing.

Last time I used that panel was four years ago and it is relatively easy
to get going, watch for getting your clock right and enable signal correct.
I was doing RGB 50Hz and standards conversion in real time to the LCD, I
doubt you will have the standards conversion issue.

-- 
Paul Carpenter		| paul@pcserv.demon.co.uk
<http://www.pcserv.demon.co.uk/>        Main Site
<http://www.gnuh8.org.uk/>              GNU H8 & mailing list info.
<http://www.badweb.org.uk/>             For those web sites you hate.