[FMF] Free Model F - OLED display

[idollar]

Please refer to the mother GB thread which can be found here

Introduction

Note: this post will be updated. As such it shall be considered work in progress. A change log is shown at the end.
Last change 2025.01.01 (yyyy.mm.dd)

OLED displays are considered priority 4, being 0 the highest priority.
As such, at this stage it is important to record constraints that would affect specifications of other components.

Constraints

• Format and size of OLED displays change over time - Impact in case and firmware
• Interface shall be I2C to be compatible with QMK and the Leyden Jar

--- change log (yyyy.mm.dd) ---

Spoiler:

2025.01.01 - initial version
2025.01.01 - priority stated

[DMA]

Displays are problematic because they change every year - basically, unless you're talking about HD44780 varieties, you can only ever buy 1(ONE) batch of a particular display.
The reason is quite interesting - LCD panels are made by, like, TWO companies in the world - and so MOQ is in literally millions (unless you happen to know the CEO - and I don't think anybody reading this does). So essentially any matrix display you see on the market today is basically a mega-GB, once the run is sold you'll never see it again. You might see something similar - but it will have different mounting holes, different interface, different resolution or all 3.

[idollar]

Thanks for the information DMA.

I have been using one of these in my projects

OLED.png (141.91 KiB) Viewed 7170 times

The interface is I2C which makes it easy to integrate with the Leyden Jar controller.

The actual selected OLED mainly influences the case design as a hole to display its content is needed. A clever case design would allow an additional part to be added as an option in case is used. It would also allow to add different versions provided that the interface of the controller is standard I2C.

The second impact is in the firmware of the controller as it would need to be updated. I have already done it (https://www.deskthority.net/viewtopic.p ... ED#p521650) so I am confident it can be done.

In any case, to me, the integration of an OLED is secondary. I would suggest to park this to a later stage.

It is my intention to set priorities to the components of the FSF. At this stage what is really important is to identify the constraints so they are considered in the design from day one. Your previous post is one good example of possible constraints to be considered