An easy to use I2C connected vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) with a QWIIC/Stemma QT connector

What is it?

A Samsung HCS-12SS59T 12 character vacuum fluorescent display connected to a custom driver board which takes away all the difficulties of using such a display. The driver board does everything for you, from step-up voltage generation to having a microcontroller that translates between the display and an easy to use I2C interface.

Why did you make it?

I like weird and wonderful displays and this display deserves a spot in cool DIY projects. Unfortunately a VFD is not exactly plug-and-play for use in Arduino, MicroPython or Raspberry Pi projects. This module aims to solve that.

What makes it special?

Everything is handled on-board, from generating the required voltages to handling the display control signals. All you have to do is hook up this module via I2C using the QWIIC / Stemma QT connectors on this board. There is two of them allowing for easy daisy chaining with more displays or other QWIIC/Stemma QT boards.

Links to code and documentation

Documentation (nicolaielectronics.nl)

Code (github.com)

Design Files (github.com)

Schematics (github.com)

Certified Open Source Hardware - OSHW NL000028