EasyPDLC: Drive Up To 10 Small PDLC Panels

Description

What is it?

This is a simple, stackable, Arduino-compatible PDLC panel driver that operates on 5V.

Why did you make it?

It was designed for a friend of mine who wanted to experiment with making a PDLC display. When learning about PDLC film, I also came across this cool PDLC dress. I was surprised to find out that, as of 2024, there were no small Arduino-compatible PDLC drivers, so I made one.

What makes it special?

• Can be powered from 5V
• Compatible with 3.3V/5V logic
• Has 5VDC to 60VAC step-up converter onboard
• Can be daisy changed
• Each module drives up to 10 PDLC panels
• Max area that can be driven is 0,15 m^2. Given that inexpensive PDLC films from Aliexpress are usually 10 cm x 10 cm, you can easily drive ten of them without any issues.
• Arduino library available
• Schematics available from Documentation tab

How do I wire it?

Connect it the same way you would connect a shift register.

• STCP->GPIO
• SHCP->GPIO
• DSIN->GPIO
• DSOUT->DSIN of the next EasyPDLC in daisy chain or ‘not connected’
• 50_Hz_PWM->GPIO
• VLOGIC->3.3V or 5V depending you your MCU logic votlage
• VPOWER->5V
• GND->GND