Environmental data, time, and date display on a RGB matrix panel
Temperature, humidity, and ambient pressure are key environmental parameters that can be measured at once using Bosch's fully integrated BME280 environmental sensor. This article describes how to read the environmental data from BME280 and real time data from DS1307 using Arduino and display the data on a 16×32 RGB matrix panel. [caption id="attachment_4285" align="aligncenter" width="800"]16x32 RGB matrix display 16x32 RGB matrix display[/caption] Following items are used in this project:
  1. Arduino Uno or any compatible board
  2. 16×32 RGB panel + driver shield
  3. 5V, 2.0A DC power supply
  4. BME280 sensor breakout
The 16×32 RGB LED matrix panel consists of 512 bright RGB LEDs arranged in 16 rows and 32 columns. The row and column driver circuits are built on the back side of the matrix panel. The data and control signal pins are accessible through a HUB75 (8×2 IDC) connector. It requires 12 digital I/O pins of Arduino Uno for full color control. The display panel also comes with a RGB connector shield for Arduino Uno and necessary cables for easy wiring between the RGB panel and the Arduino board. The connector shield also features the DS1307 RTC chip on board along with a CR1220 coin-cell battery holder. The I2C pins of the DS1307 chip are pre-wired to A4 and A5 pins of the shield. The RGB LED panel kit includes all the necessary cables and the Arduino Uno connector shield for an easy connection between the RGB driver pins and the Arduino I/O pins. The following picture shows the proper way of connecting the Arduino shield and the RGB panel. [caption id="attachment_4288" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]Connecting the RGB panel to Arduino shield Connecting the RGB panel to Arduino shield[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4289" align="aligncenter" width="800"]Displaying temperature in C and F units Displaying temperature in C and F units[/caption] For full tutorial including the complete Arduino code, click here.