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3.5″ inch ili9486 TFT Touch Shield LCD Module 480×320 for arduino uno mega2560
3.5″ ILI9486 TFT Touch Shield LCD Module
480×320 Resolution, Resistive Touch, Compatible with Arduino UNO R3/Mega2560
Introduction
The 3.5-inch TFT LCD Shield features a 480×320 high-resolution display with ILI9486 controller and resistive touch overlay. This plug-and-play shield provides a vibrant graphical interface for Arduino projects with built-in touch input capability.
Key Features
High Resolution
480×320 pixel display
Touch Input
Resistive touch screen
Direct Compatibility
UNO/Mega2560 pinout
Rich Colors
18-bit color (262K colors)
Technical Specifications
| Display Type | TFT LCD with Resistive Touch |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 480×320 pixels |
| Controller | ILI9486 |
| Color Depth | 18-bit (262K colors) |
| Viewing Angle | 140° |
| Interface | 8-bit parallel + SPI (touch) |
| Operating Voltage | 5V (compatible with 3.V logic) |
| Dimensions | 86×55mm (UNO shield size) |
Pin Configuration
| Arduino Pin | TFT Function | Touch Function |
|---|---|---|
| D2-D9 | LCD Data Bus (D0-D7) | – |
| D10 | LCD CS | – |
| D11 | LCD MOSI | T_CLK |
| D12 | LCD MISO | T_OUT |
| D13 | LCD SCK | T_CS |
| A0 | LCD RS/DC | – |
| A1 | LCD WR | – |
| A2 | LCD RD | – |
| A3 | LCD RESET | – |
| A4 | – | T_DIN |
| A5 | – | T_DO |
Note: On Mega2560, the shield uses different pin mappings – check documentation
Library Installation
- Open Arduino IDE
- Go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries
- Search for “MCUFRIEND_kbv” and install
- For touch: search “Adafruit TouchScreen“
- For graphics: “Adafruit GFX Library“
Basic Display Test
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#include <Adafruit_GFX.h> #include <MCUFRIEND_kbv.h> MCUFRIEND_kbv tft; void setup() { uint16_t ID = tft.readID(); tft.begin(ID); tft.fillScreen(TFT_BLACK); tft.setRotation(1); // Adjust orientation tft.setTextColor(TFT_WHITE); tft.setTextSize(2); tft.setCursor(50, 100); tft.println("Hello World!"); tft.drawRect(50, 150, 100, 50, TFT_RED); tft.fillCircle(250, 200, 30, TFT_BLUE); } void loop() {} |
Touch Screen Example
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#include <TouchScreen.h> // Touchscreen pins (UNO) #define YP A3 // must be analog #define XM A2 // must be analog #define YM 9 // can be digital #define XP 8 // can be digital TouchScreen ts = TouchScreen(XP, YP, XM, YM, 300); void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); } void loop() { TSPoint p = ts.getPoint(); if (p.z > ts.pressureThreshhold) { Serial.print("X = "); Serial.print(p.x); Serial.print("\tY = "); Serial.print(p.y); Serial.print("\tPressure = "); Serial.println(p.z); } delay(100); } |
Optimization Tips
Reduce Memory Usage
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tft.setAddrWindow(x, y, w, h); tft.pushColor(color, count); |
Partial updates instead of full redraws
Faster Rendering
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tft.startWrite(); // Multiple operations tft.endWrite(); |
Batch drawing commands
Custom Fonts
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#include <Fonts/FreeSansBold18pt7b.h> tft.setFont(&FreeSansBold18pt7b); |
Use built-in or custom fonts
Troubleshooting
Blank/White Screen
- Verify shield is properly seated
- Check tft.begin() with correct ID
- Try different rotation values (0-3)
Touch Not Working
- Confirm touch library installed
- Check pin mappings match your board
- Calibrate touch coordinates
Slow Performance
- Use optimized drawing methods
- Reduce color depth if possible
- Consider using Mega2560 for more RAM
