LMT DISPLAY / ENGINEERING GUIDES
TFT LCD Interface Selection: SPI, MCU, RGB and MIPI DSI
Start with the display output your host can generate, then check connector, power and timing against the exact module. Matching resolution does not make two interfaces interchangeable.
SPI, MCU, RGB or MIPI DSI?
| Interface | When to shortlist it | What to verify | Locked model example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-wire SPI | Host has SPI and few spare pins; useful for small displays or modest update rates. | Confirm serial mode, data direction, D/C, CS, reset, I/O level and supported clock. | LMT13067C14 |
| MCU / 8080 parallel | Host can drive a parallel data bus and write strobe. | Confirm bus width, bit order, WR/RD timing and control pins. | LMT20023C22 |
| RGB parallel | Host can continuously supply a pixel stream with RGB timing. | Check data width, PCLK, DE and sync mode. Some panels use a separate SPI command path for initialization. | LMT34013C40 |
| MIPI DSI | Host or bridge has a compatible DSI display output and a supported panel driver. | Check lane count and mapping, video/command mode, panel initialization, timing and power. | LMT34012C30 |
Does an SPI label always mean SPI carries the picture?
No. On some RGB modules, SPI is the command channel used to initialize the panel; the pixels still arrive on the RGB bus. Check the complete interface name. A bare RGB or MIPI panel is not a native HDMI input.
How do I estimate the required link speed?
As an example, 240 × 320 pixels at 16 bits per pixel and 30 full-screen updates per second represent 36.9 Mbit/s of raw pixel payload. Command and protocol overhead increase the actual requirement; partial updates reduce it. This is not a supported clock or refresh rating for a specific panel.
What should I send for a shortlist?
Send the host or bridge part number, available interface, size and outline limits, resolution, update rate, logic level and whether touch is needed. Ask for the source drawing and connector revision before ordering.
Host-interface references: Espressif LCD interface guide · MIPI Alliance display interface overview.
Need to check a specific display?
Send the model number, host interface and drawing revision for a configuration review.