Kontron
LCD Dot-Matrix Interface
36
MOPS/386A User’s Guide
17.3
Configuration
Because the LCD dot-matrix display is driven by parallel-port signals and needs to
exchange data with the MOPS/386A BIOS extension, the parallel port must be set to bi-
directional mode. We recommend using the EPP mode. Please refer to the I/O Device
Configuration Submenu in the Appendix B: BIOS Operation chapter for additional
information on configuration of the parallel port.
You can configure the Dot Matrix extension BIOS by using the ALCDINIT.EXE utility
program, which you can download from the Kontron Web site.
Call the ALCDINIT utility from the DOS-prompt with suitable parameters:
alcdinit <mode> <columns> <lin> <la1> <la2> <la3> <la4>
mode =
ON
the display interface will be prepared for direct mode
= COPY
the display interface will be prepared for copy mode
lin
number of LCD lines (normally 2 or 4)
columns
number of LCD columns (normally 16, 20 or 40)
la?
starting address of LCD lines; refer to the datasheet for your display
Note
: The ”copy to display” mode works slowly on the LPT interface. Using the BIOS
Setup Utility, set the parallel port mode to EPP. Choose “mode” in the I/O Device
Configuration submenu to make the EPP selection
17.4
LCD Dot-Matrix Display Technical Support
Additional information about this feature, especially programming and detailed
configuration and connectivity information is available in Application Note
DotMatrixPC104_E???.PDF. The three question marks represent the document revision
number. You can download the application note from the Kontron Web site or request it
from technical support.
