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--- using_pico_with_ssd1306_based_lcd_and_spi [2026/08/21 13:24] – [Python Code] walkeradmin
+++ using_pico_with_ssd1306_based_lcd_and_spi [2026/08/24 20:01] (current) – [Python Code] walkeradmin
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Using Pico with SSD1306 based LCD and SPI ======
-<color #ed1c24>***** THIS PAGE IS WORK IN PROGRESS *****</color>
-\\
 <color #db5f0b>Aug 2026</color>
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@@ Line 53: / Line 51: @@
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+----
+==== The Driver for SPI (1306 driver chip) ====
+\\
+Below is the driver you will need for the LCD. You need to put it in to the <color #ed1c24>lib</color> folder on your Pico.
+<code:python | download>
+from machine import Pin, SPI
+from ssd1306_spi import SSD1306_SPI
+import time
+# SPI1 setup
+spi = SPI(1, baudrate=8000000, polarity=0, phase=0)
+dc  = Pin(13, Pin.OUT)
+res = Pin(12, Pin.OUT)
+cs  = Pin(14, Pin.OUT)
+oled = SSD1306_SPI(128, 64, spi, dc, res, cs)
+oled.fill(0)
+oled.text("Hello Alan!", 0, 0)
+oled.text("SSD1306 SPI OK", 0, 16)
+oled.text("Pico 2 Ready", 0, 32)
+oled.show()
+# call the function below from your main code with the value 255 (max  brightness)
+oled.set_brightness(255)
+</code>
+\\
+\\
+----
+==== LCD Test Code ----
+\\
+I want to look at the old I2C code and compare to the SPI code to point out some differences, this is the Python code that just prints 8 static lines on the LCD for a simple test.
+\\
+\\
+Here is the original I2C code
+<code:python | download>
+from machine import Pin, I2C    #Gives access to the I²C Pins. Without it, you couldn’t use GPIO pins or I²C.
+import ssd1306
+import time
+i2c = I2C(0, scl=Pin(5), sda=Pin(4), freq=200000)
+lcd = ssd1306.SSD1306_I2C(128, 64, i2c)
+lcd.fill(0)
+lcd.text("Yo Tuesday Club!", 0, 0)
+lcd.text("SSD1306 LCD",      0, 8)
+lcd.text("Address 0x3C",     0, 16)
+lcd.text("Cool :)",          0, 24)
+lcd.text("Another Line :)",  0, 32)
+lcd.text("One More? :)",     0, 40)
+lcd.text("Line 7",           0, 48)
+lcd.text("Line 8",           0, 56)
+lcd.show()
+time.sleep(300)
+lcd.fill(0)
+lcd.show()
+</code>
+Here is the same code, but modified to run the SPI LCD Screen.
+\\
+<color #ed1c24>Use this code for your SPI LCD Display.</color>
+<code:python | download>
+from machine import Pin, SPI    #Gives access to the SPI Pins. Without it, you couldn’t use GPIO pins or SPI.
+from ssd1306_spi import SSD1306_SPI
+import time
+spi = SPI(1, baudrate=8000000, polarity=0, phase=0)
+dc  = Pin(13, Pin.OUT)
+res = Pin(12, Pin.OUT)
+cs  = Pin(14, Pin.OUT)
+oled = SSD1306_SPI(128, 64, spi, dc, res, cs)
+oled.fill(0)
+oled.text("Yo Tuesday Club!", 0, 0)
+oled.text("SSD1306 oled",      0, 8)
+oled.text("Address 0x3C",     0, 16)
+oled.text("Cool :)",          0, 24)
+oled.text("Another Line :)",  0, 32)
+oled.text("One More? :)",     0, 40)
+oled.text("Line 7",           0, 48)
+oled.text("Line 8",           0, 56)
+oled.show()
+time.sleep(300)
+oled.fill(0)
+oled.show()
+</code>
+The second line of each Python script loads some code, there is some difference in how they work:
+  * **import ssd1306** - Loads the entire module, and you have access to all classes within that module.
+  * **from ssd1306_spi import SSD1306_SPI** - Loads just the SSD1306_SPI class from the module ssd1306_spi.
+  * **In the first example we used the name lcd** - lcd = ssd1306.SSD1306_I2C(128, 64, i2c)
+  * **In the second example we used the name oled** - oled = SSD1306_SPI(128, 64, spi, dc, res, cs)
+The rest is pretty much the same, from a code perspective there really isn't much difference in the amount of work to get the I2C or SPI LCD displays working.
+\\
+\\
+----
+==== The Running LCDs ====
+\\
+Below we can see both the I2C LCD (on the right) and the SPI LCD (Below the Pico).
+\\
+\\
+{{ :0.96-spi-lcd-running.jpeg?500 |}}
+\\
+They both work really well and for simple text based applications will be perfect.
+\\
+\\
+----