https://github.com/todd-herbert/heltec-eink-modules
Third-party Arduino Library for Heltec E-Ink displays
https://github.com/todd-herbert/heltec-eink-modules
adafruit-gfx arduino arduino-library display drawing e-ink e-paper epd esp32 esp8266 graphics heltec samd21 uno vision-master wireless-paper
Last synced: about 2 months ago
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Third-party Arduino Library for Heltec E-Ink displays
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/todd-herbert/heltec-eink-modules
- Owner: todd-herbert
- Created: 2021-03-29T08:38:35.000Z (about 5 years ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-07-08T14:00:53.000Z (11 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-07-08T14:49:22.204Z (11 months ago)
- Topics: adafruit-gfx, arduino, arduino-library, display, drawing, e-ink, e-paper, epd, esp32, esp8266, graphics, heltec, samd21, uno, vision-master, wireless-paper
- Language: C
- Homepage:
- Size: 27.4 MB
- Stars: 28
- Watchers: 2
- Forks: 4
- Open Issues: 5
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: docs/README.md
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README
# Heltec E-Ink Modules
Third-party Arduino Library for **Heltec E-Ink Displays**.
Run-time drawing, using Adafruit-GFX.
**[Read the API](/docs/API.md)**
- [Vision Master](#vision-master)
- [Wireless Paper](#wireless-paper)
- [SPI Displays](#spi-displays)
- [Identification](#identification)
- [Wiring](#wiring)
- [Should I use `update()` or `DRAW()`?](#should-i-use-update-or-draw)
- [Drawing](#drawing)
- [Shapes and Text](#shapes-and-text)
- [Fonts](#fonts)
- [Images](#images)
- [SD card](#sd-card)
- [Fast Mode (Partial Refresh)](#fast-mode-partial-refresh)
- [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
- [Installation](#installation)
- [Arduino](#arduino)
- [PlatformIO](#platformio)
- [Acknowledgements](#acknowledgements)
## Vision Master
See [Getting Started with Vision Master](/docs/VisionMaster/vision_master.md#getting-started) for instructions on setting up Arduino IDE or PlatformIO.
(Important platformio.ini config)
Model
Driver Class
Front Image
Rear Image
Resolution (px)
E213 V1.1
EInkDisplay_VisionMasterE213V1_1
250 x 122
E213
EInkDisplay_VisionMasterE213
250 x 122
E290
EInkDisplay_VisionMasterE290
296 x 128
```cpp
#include "heltec-eink-modules.h"
EInkDisplay_VisionMasterE213 display;
void setup() {
display.print("Hello, World!");
display.update();
}
void loop() {}
```
## Wireless Paper
See [Getting Started with Wireless Paper](/docs/WirelessPaper/wireless_paper.md) for instructions on setting up Arduino IDE or PlatformIO.
(Important platformio.ini config)
Hardware Version
Driver Class
Flex Connector Label
Front Image
Rear Image
V1.2
EInkDisplay_WirelessPaperV1_2
(not visible)
(no image available)
(no image available)
V1.1.1
EInkDisplay_WirelessPaperV1_1_1
(not visible)
(no image available)
(no image available)
V1.1
EInkDisplay_WirelessPaperV1_1
(not visible)
Original (V1.0)
EInkDisplay_WirelessPaperV1
FPC-7528B
```cpp
#include "heltec-eink-modules.h"
EInkDisplay_WirelessPaperV1_1 display;
void setup() {
display.print("Hello, World!");
display.update();
}
void loop() {}
```
A [low power state](/docs/WirelessPaper/wireless_paper.md#deep-sleep) is available for the whole board (18μA while sleeping).
## SPI Displays
### Identification
Pay attention to the model name: you will need it to use the library.
#### 1.54 Inch
Model Name
Flex Connector Label
Front Image
Rear Image
Colors
Screen Protector
Resolution (px)
Fastmode (partial refresh)
DEPG0154BNS800
FPC-7525
Black, White
Red Tab
152 x 152
Yes
DEPG0150BNS810
FPC-8101
Black, White
Red Tab
200 x 200
Yes
GDEP015OC1 ?
HINK-E0154A05-A2
Black, White
Blue Tab
200 x 200
Yes
#### 2.13 Inch
Model Name
Flex Connector Label
Front Image
Rear Image
Colors
Screen Protector
Resolution (px)
Fastmode (partial refresh)
DEPG0213RWS800
FPC-7528B
Black, White, Red
Red Tab
250 x 122
No
QYEG0213RWS800
FPC-7528
Black, White, Red
Red Tab
250 x 122
No
#### 2.9 Inch
Model Name
Flex Connector Label
Front Image
Rear Image
Colors
Screen Protector
Resolution (px)
Fastmode (partial refresh)
DEPG0290BNS800
FPC-7519 rev.b
Black, White
Red Tab
296 x 128
Yes
DEPG0290BNS75A
FPC-750
Black, White
Red Tab
296 x 128
Yes
GDE029A1
SYX-1553
Black, White
Blue Tab
296 x 128
Yes
___
### Wiring
**Warning: in some cases, connecting directly to the display will cause damage!**
See your boards's wiring page for specific information:
* [**Wiring:** Arduino Uno R3 / Arduino Nano](/docs/Wiring/wiring_m328p.md)
* [**Wiring:** Arduino Mega 2560](/docs/Wiring/wiring_m2560.md)
* [**Wiring:** ESP32](/docs/Wiring/wiring_esp32.md)
* [**Wiring:** ESP8266](/docs/Wiring/wiring_esp8266.md)
* [**Wiring:** SAMD21G18A](/docs/Wiring/wiring_samd21g18a.md)
```c++
// Specify your wiring when declaring the display
DEPG0150BNS810 display(dc, cs, busy);
// Optional: specify SDI and CLK (ESP32 & SAMD21* only)
DEPG0150BNS810 display(dc, cs, busy, sdi, clk)
```
[See here](/docs/Wiring/wiring_samd21g18a.md#optional-changing-mosi-and-sck-pins) for limitations of SAMD21G18A wiring
___
### Should I use `update()` or `DRAW()`?
The `DRAW()` operation allows for RAM saving tricks (paging). Required for older boards, configurable for new boards.
[More info about `DRAW()` here](/docs/Paging/paging.md).
```cpp
/*
Use DRAW() if:
- you need to support Arduino Uno R3 / Mega 2560, or
- you desperately need to save RAM
*/
DRAW(display) {
display.print("Hello, ");
display.print("World!");
}
// Otherwise, you're free to use update() instead
display.clearMemory();
display.print("Hello, ");
display.print("World!");
display.update();
```
## Drawing
### Shapes and Text
Drawing operations come from the **Adafruit GFX** library
You'll find a full list of supported commands in **[the API](/docs/API.md)**. Check out the [examples folder](/examples/) to see them in action.
Alternatively, [the official adafruit-gfx tutorial](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-gfx-graphics-library/graphics-primitives) is a good place to start.
### Fonts
The library comes with a selection of custom fonts. You can create more with [truetype2gfx](https://rop.nl/truetype2gfx/).
See the [Fonts example](/examples/fonts/fonts.ino).
### Images
As decided by the Adafruit library, the ancient *"XBitmap"* is the format of choice for pre-rendered graphics. Luckily, GIMP maintains good support for it. If you need a hint on how to use it, I have thrown together a [tutorial on preparing XBitmap images](XBitmapTutorial/README.md).
### SD card
It is possible to load and save .bmp images, using a cheap SD card SPI adapter. [Read more](/docs/SD/sd.md)
### Fast Mode (Partial Refresh)
E-Ink displays generally take several seconds to refresh. Some displays have an alternative mode, where the image updates much faster.
The trade-off is that images drawn in fast mode are of a lower quality. The process may also be particularly difficult on the hardware. **Use sparingly.**
*Not all displays support fast mode.*
Call [`fastmodeOn()`](/docs/API.md#fastmodeon) to enable.
Call [`fastmodeOff()`](/docs/API.md#fastmodeoff) to return to normal.
\* Technically, this mode is not a true "partial refresh", as the whole display image is updated.
## Troubleshooting
* **Double-check your wiring**
On breadboard, or header pins, it is easy to be one row out.
Make sure to use a level-shifter, if needed.
* **Double-check your constructor**
```c++
// Make sure to use the correct class for your display model
EInkDisplay_WirelessPaperV1_1 display;
// SPI displays: make sure your pins are set correctly
DEPG0150BNS810 display(dc, cs, busy);
```
* **Take a look at the [examples](/examples/), and the [API](/docs/API.md)**
Some commands might not work the way you would expect. If unsure, double check.
* **Disconnect and Reconnect**
If the display has been used incorrectly, it can get "stuck".
Remove all power from the display and Arduino for 5 seconds.
* **Make sure your build environment is configured correctly**
* [Vision Master](/docs/VisionMaster/vision_master.md#getting-started)
* [Wireless Paper](/docs/WirelessPaper/wireless_paper.md#getting-started)
## Installation
### Arduino
Library can be installed to Arduino IDE with *Sketch* -> *Include Library* -> *Add .Zip Library..*, or through the built-in Library Manager.
* [Setting up Arduino IDE for Vision Master boards](/docs/VisionMaster/vision_master.md#arduino-ide)
* [Setting up Arduino IDE for Wireless Paper boards](/docs/WirelessPaper/wireless_paper.md#arduino-ide)
### PlatformIO
Available through the built-in library registry, or alternatively, can be installed by extracting the Zip file to the lib folder of your project.
For Vision Master and Wireless Paper boards, your platformio.ini file needs to be [correctly configured](/platformio.ini).
## Acknowledgements
* Display information referenced from both [official Heltec sources](https://github.com/HelTecAutomation/e-ink), and [GxEPD2](https://github.com/ZinggJM/GxEPD2).
* Drawing functions provided by [GFX Root](https://github.com/ZinggJM/GFX_Root), which itself is a stripped down version of [Adafruit GFX](https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-GFX-Library).
* A bundled version of [SdFat](https://github.com/greiman/SdFat) is used with some platforms.
* [TJpg_Decoder](https://github.com/Bodmer/TJpg_Decoder) is bundled with certain examples.