Introduction

The rapid growth of connected graphical embedded applications has made the integration of advanced graphics and wireless communication technologies a key requirement in modern product design. Bluetooth® Low Energy is increasingly favored for its low power consumption and reliable connectivity, making it ideal for a wide range of embedded systems.

This application note explores two innovative graphics solutions based on the PIC32CX-BZ6 microcontroller, each leveraging Bluetooth LE connectivity to deliver engaging user interfaces and effortless wireless interaction. By combining robust graphics capabilities with Bluetooth LE, designers can create feature-rich, interactive products that meet the evolving demands of today’s connected world.

The first solution is a Bluetooth LE Low-Cost Controllerless (LCC) graphics design, which runs the Bluetooth LE stack and uses the internal peripherals to implement a “virtual” graphics controller as described in AN1387. This approach eliminates the need for a dedicated graphics controller IC or external memory, resulting in a cost effective and streamlined hardware architecture. The LCC design operates with an 8 bits per pixel (8 bpp) color depth, using an RGB 332 format to efficiently utilize memory resources.

The second solution utilizes Bluetooth LE and the parallel 8080 interface to drive an external graphics controller while running the Bluetooth LE stack. The external controller manages the display timing and frame buffer, offloading these tasks from the microcontroller and allowing for more advanced display features. This design operates with a 16 bits per pixel (16 bpp) color depth enabling richer color representation.

Both solution are supported with PIC32CX-BZ6 132-pin variant and not with 48-pin variant.