gen4 Breakout Board

The gen4-Breakout is compatible with multiple 4D gen4 display modules, and pixxiLCD modules. It is included in some Starter Kit (SK) packs with certain products, or can be obtained separately, and is a quick and easy way to interface to the 4D gen4 display modules.

The gen4-Breakout is very simple, it breaks out the 30 signals from the FFC connector into 30 pads, 15 down each side.

The Breakout board is breadboard compatible if desired using header pins (not included) which can be soldered for ease of connections, or simply solder wires directly (not included).

The gen4-Breakout is useful when getting to each of the 30 signals is required, without the interference of USB devices or other peripherals, such as trying to utilize the TX/RX pins from a gen4 module but fighting with the USB controller on the 4D-UPA programmer. The gen4-Breakout solves this, and offers simple access to each of the signals, useful for both development and final products, without having to manage the FPC connector directly.

The gen4-Breakout has a 30-way top contact FFC connector at the top of the module, for connecting to gen4 display modules and pixxiLCD display modules, and then 15 through hole pads down each side, breaking out the 30 signals.

The gen4-Breakout is compatible with all gen4 display modules which feature a 30 pin FFC, or with pixxiLCD by using the 30-to-15 FPC cable included with the pixxiLCD modules. It does not matter what the pinout is of each display, or if they are compatible with each other, as this gen4-Breakout blindly breaks out each signal individually to a pad so its function is based purely on the module connected to the FPC connector. Please refer to the gen4 display module you are connecting, as to what each of the 30 pins function will be.

Compatible products include (but are not limited to):

gen4-uLCD products
gen4-4DCAPE products
gen4-4DPi products
gen4-FTDI products
pixxiLCD products

gen4-Breakout Key Features

  • Provides an easy way to interface to the gen4 range and pixxiLCD range
  • Can be used with all 4D Systems products featuring a 30 way FFC cable interface

SPECIFICATIONS

SIZE & WEIGHT

Viewing Area: N/A

Module Width: 23.0 mm

Module Height: 46.8 mm

Module Depth: 3.00 mm

Module Weight:

WORKSHOP4 IDE

Workshop4 is a comprehensive software IDE for Microsoft Windows that provides an integrated software development platform for all of the 4D family of processors and modules. The IDE combines the Editor, Compiler, Linker and Downloader to develop complete 4DGL application code.

All user application code is developed within the Workshop4 IDE.

DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTS THAT SUITS ANY APPLICATION & USER LEVEL

Workshop4 includes four development environments for the user to choose based on application requirements or even user skill level.

Designer

  • Enables user to write 4DGL code to program the display module.
  • 4DGL syntax is similar to C: no need to learn a new language.
  • 4DGL is optimized for GOLDELOX, PICASO, PIXXI and DIABLO Controllers.

Visi

  • Aptly named, a visual programming experience as you develop the display.
  • Enables drag and drop of objects in a WYSIWYG editor.
  • Software generates 4DGL code for the graphics.

Visi-Genie

  • An advanced environment; no 4DGL coding Required.
  • Everything is automated.
  • Drag and drop objects on the display.
  • Code written automatically.

Serial

  • ransforms the module into a serial slave.
  • Control the module from any host microcontroller with a serial port.
  • All serial protocols and documentation are provided.

WORKSHOP4 PRO

Make complex widget design, simple.

Smart Widgets Editor is a powerful utility which enables the generation of Smart Widgets.

  • Users can create complex widgets with up to six layers, including the layer for the base image. The order of the layers can be arranged as desired.
  • Each layer can contain one or more images arranged in sequence that can be manipulated in a variety of ways. Image manipulation options include horizontal motion, vertical motion, and angular motion. Additionally, the transparency of a layer can be set.
  • Two or more layers can be linked to produce synchronized movements of images. This enables the generation of complex widgets with multiple moving parts. Clockwork feature is also supported. This enables users to quickly generate clock widgets.
  • Each layer can have a numeric part which can display numbers in various fonts and formats. Alternatively, the numeric part can be a fixed sequence of text.
  • The output frames can be utilized using any of the supported Workshop4 environments.

GENIE MAGIC

Genie Magic is an extension to ViSi-Genie, which is available in Workshop4 PRO. Genie Magic allows the User to add 4DGL code to various points in the ViSi-Genie backend code, which allows Users to take full advantage of the power of 4DGL, while retaining the speed and convenience of ViSi-Genie and its defined communication protocol.

Genie Magic allows you to enter 4DGL code in the form of Events, Code and Objects, along with various touch related additions too, giving you to the power to achieve advanced GUI’s in ViSi-Genie without having to write the full code yourself.

Genie Magic is fully supported by the genieArduino and geniePi libraries, making communication with an Arduino or Raspberry Pi host even more powerful.

When using Genie Magic in combination with the Smart Widget Editor, it is possible to use the Smart Widgets Editor tool and Smart Widgets to create other graphical user interface elements such as:

  • Dropdown Menu

  • Side Menu

  • ‘Carousel Slider’

  • List Box

  • Dock Menu

  • Quarter-Rotary Menu

  • Fading Slide-To-Unlock Button

  • Spectrum With Transparency

  • And Many Others

DOWNLOADS

Compatibility: Workshop4 is a Windows-only product. It is compatible with Windows 8 through to Windows 11.

Note some older OS such as ME, Vista, XP and 7 have not been tested for some time and are not supported by Microsoft anymore; however, they may still work.
Legacy support updates for the older OS may not be possible, depending on what issues are found. For best results, run a current Windows OS. It is possible to run Workshop4 under a VM on Linux or Mac. However, it is up to the User to set this up.

Documentation

GEN4-Breakout Datasheet

Related Documents

Conflict Minerals Policy Statement
4D-UPA Datasheet
GEN4-PA Datasheet
GEN4-Breakout Datasheet
GEN4-IB Datasheet
gen4 Family Prop 65 Statement
gen4 Family RoHS Declaration
gen4 Family REACH Declaration

RFQ – VOLUME ORDERS

We are delighted to offer volume discounts to qualified customers and organizations.

Our dedicated Volume Sales team will address your specific requirements and help you get an accurate quotation in a timely manner.

Order Now

gen4-Breakout

  • Breakout Board for gen4 and pixxiLCD modules
  • Used to connect module to a host or breadboard
  • Breaks out all 30 signals from the 30-way FFC, into pads for wire connections or for 0.1″ (2.54mm) pitch headers to be soldered on

US$6.00

We are delighted to offer volume discounts to qualified customers and organisations.

Related Products