ENG | Raspberry Pi Pico, MicroPython, and Sitronix ST7567 display
Brief intro to using the Sitronix ST7567 LCD display with a Raspberry Pi Pico and MicroPython. Tutorial covers the wiring, code implementation, and troubleshooting tips.
I was not able to buy good old PCD8544 display so I tried to look elsewhere. In one Czech eshop, I found this display which has similar properties, it is perhaps even cheaper, has higher resolution, backlight is brighter. There was slight issue with documentation which does not provide good defaults and MicroPython drivers I found on GitHub had GPL license. I just don’t want to infect my code with it. What I found is that contrast/electronic volume set to zero gives higher contrast, whereas value 0x3f makes whole display black and text is barely readable only at angle.
I guess for next projects TFT/IPS displays might be better option, they provide higher resolution, they are just not good for low power scenarios, but Raspberry Pico is not suitable microcontroler anyways and for the most projects, it does not matter.
This article is basically a repository for self-documenting code and I’ll just link few articles here:
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# MicroPython Sitronix ST7567 128*64 LCD driver
# Pavel Perina, October 2025
# Based on https://www.alldatasheet.com/view.jsp?Searchword=St7567 on some source
# code found on github. Written mostly to avoid GPL licensed code.
# You may need to set elecvolt and regratio to drive your screen properly
# NOTE: With flipX=True, flipY=False framebuffer start is off by a few pixels maybe
# because display is 132 pixels wide according do driver datasheet, but it's
# not in reality. One flip is awlays needed for valid orientation.
# NOTE: Some drivers have staged init issuing several 0x28 commands with 50ms delay.
import time
class ST7567():
def __init__(self, spi, dc, cs=None, rst=None, contrast=0x00, flipX=False, flipY=True):
dc.init(dc.OUT, value=0)
self.dc=dc
if(cs is not None):
cs.init(cs.OUT, value = 1) #disable device port
self.cs=cs
if(rst is not None):
rst.init(rst.OUT, value = 0) #reset device
self.rst = rst
time.sleep_ms(1)
self.rst.value(1)
time.sleep_ms(1)
self.spi=spi
initCommands=[
0xE2, # Software reset
0xA2|0x01, # LCD bias 0:1/9 1:1/7
0x81, # Electronic volume (contrast) mode
(contrast&0x3f), # Contrast value: 0x00-0x3F (default 0x1F - in my experience 0 works best)
0x20|0x03, # Voltage regulator ratio: 0x00-0x07 (3.0-6.5V)
0x28|0x07, # Power control: booster+regulator+follower all on
0xA0|(0x01 if flipX else 0x00), # Segment direction: 0=normal, 1=reversed (flip X)
0xC0|(0x08 if flipY else 0x00), # Common output direction: 0=normal, 8=reversed (flip Y)
0x40|0x00, # Display start line: 0x40-0x7F (line 0-63)
0xAE|0x01, # Display on/off, 0=off,1=on
]
self.writeCommands(initCommands)
# Write command(s)
def writeCommands(self, cmd):
self.cs.value(0) # Enable device
self.dc.value(0) # Command mode
self.spi.write(bytearray(cmd))
self.dc.value(1) # Disable device
# Write framebuffer data
def writeData(self, data):
self.cs.value(0)
self.dc.value(1) # Display data mode
self.spi.write(data)
self.dc.value(1)
# Show framebuffer
def show(self, buffer):
self.writeCommands([0x40|0x00]) # Set start line to 0
for page in range(8):
self.writeCommands([
0xB0 | page, # Set page address (0-7)
0x10 | 0x00, # Set column address high nibble
0x00 | 0x00, # Set column address low nibble
])
# Write pages data (8 rows, 128 columns)
self.writeData(buffer[(128*page):(128*page+128)])
if __name__ == "__main__":
"""
Wiring expected in this code
=================================
GP11 -> RST (Reset)
GP12 -> DC (Data/Command)
GP13 SPI1 CS -> CS (Chip select)
GP14 SPI1 Clock -> SCK (SPI Clock)
GP15 SPI1 Master Out, Slave In -> SDI (SPI Data In)
GND -> GND, LED
3V3 -> VCC
"""
print("Running as a standalone test script")
from machine import Pin, SPI
from framebuf import FrameBuffer, MONO_VLSB
print("SPI init")
spi = SPI(1,
baudrate=200_000,
polarity=1,
phase=1,
sck=Pin(14),
mosi=Pin(15)) # under 20Mhz is OK
print("LCD init")
lcd=ST7567(spi,
dc=Pin(12), # data/command
cs=Pin(13), # chipselect, likely not needed for a single SPI device
rst=Pin(11)) # reset
print("Loop")
buffer=bytearray(128*64//8)
fb = FrameBuffer(buffer, 128, 64, MONO_VLSB)
counter = 0
while True:
fb.fill(0)
fb.text("*Sitronix ST7567*",0,0)
fb.text(f"Temp: 23.{counter%99:02d}C", 0, 8)
fb.text("RH: 67.89 %", 0, 16)
fb.text("====----====----",0,24)
fb.text("Temp: 21.09 C",0,32)
fb.text("987.65 hPa",0,40)
# Running line at screen bottom to test refresh rate
fb.pixel( counter %128,63,1)
fb.pixel((counter+1)%128,63,1)
fb.pixel((counter+2)%128,63,1)
fb.pixel((counter+3)%128,63,1)
fb.pixel((counter+4)%128,63,1)
fb.pixel((counter+5)%128,63,1)
fb.pixel((counter+6)%128,63,1)
fb.pixel((counter+7)%128,63,1)
lcd.show(buffer)
counter += 1