The growing number of "smart" devices present in homes, offices, and public spaces has led to the emergence of a new product segment – modules that integrate a touch display with an advanced controller system based on modern microcontrollers with broad capabilities.
Below, we present the lineup of Riverdi displays based on STM32 microcontrollers. These displays combine advanced LCD (IPS) matrices with integrated controllers, enabling both a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and control over the entire device’s operations. This design allows for compact devices featuring intuitive operation, relatively low power consumption, and multifunctionality.
Notably, these products are available in two packaging options: individual units (with the SM prefix in the model number) and bulk packaging. The individual units are recommended primarily for clients interested in testing Riverdi solutions or for individual project designers. Bulk packaging is ideal for manufacturers planning serial display assembly, such as in production lines, offering a slightly lower price.
Intelligent Riverdi Displays
Integrating the display with an STM32 microcontroller based on Cortex M4 and Cortex M7 architectures (or Cortex M33 for 5-inch models) provides an ideal foundation for devices requiring a clear, user-friendly, yet sophisticated interface. The manufacturer offers free libraries to streamline the application design process.
The displays themselves fall into the High Brightness IPS category, featuring TFT screens with high brightness (up to 1200 cd/m2), contrast (1000:1), and vibrant colors from a 24-bit palette, ensuring readability even in natural light (e.g., public-use devices like ticket machines or vending machines). They are available in 3.5” (for STMicroelectronics' Nucleo boards) and from 5” to 12.1”. All sizes are available from TME, with larger models available upon special request. Resolutions reach up to 1280x800 pixels, allowing for universal, visually appealing, and responsive interfaces. STM32 microcontrollers support design and programming with the TouchGFX environment and the included TouchGFX Designer tool.
Interface connections for the STM32 microcontroller are available on the display PCB.
Displays for Nucleo Products
Unlike larger, more universal displays, the 3.5-inch models have a specific purpose: they operate with Nucleo modules from STMicroelectronics. These are industry-standard units, perfect for creating prototypes or machine control panels. They are fully compatible with NUCLEO-H563ZI and NUCLEO-U575ZI-Q kits. With a 320x480 pixel resolution, they are supplied with a touch panel (I2C interface) that detects up to 5 touch points. They feature 8MB of internal memory, enough for storing graphics, fonts, and other GUI elements. Demo projects showcasing the modules’ capabilities are also available. These are the only models in this lineup that do not include an integrated STM32 chip.
Interface Availability
The inclusion of STM32 microcontrollers grants Riverdi displays several desirable properties. Primarily, it simplifies device design and construction. Secondly, engineers gain access to multiple interfaces, which are incorporated into STMicroelectronics’ microcontrollers. These support popular communication standards in electronic circuits, such as SPI, UART, and I2C, as well as serial buses RS232, RS485, and USB. Additionally, the microcontrollers include peripherals like ADC and DAC converters, PWM generators, and general-purpose pins (GPIO). The displays also support the popular automotive and industrial CAN interface. This broad functionality enables Riverdi modules to serve as the core for many different applications.
Capacitive Touch Detection
Most Riverdi intelligent displays feature PCAP (Projected Capacitive) touch panels of industrial-grade quality, responsive and durable, capable of detecting multi-touch points (even under harsh conditions or through glove material). Available in uxTouch and aTouch versions, the former has a rounded-glass front with a black border extending beyond the active LCD surface, making it ready for integration into devices with a modern aesthetic and is mounted externally from the enclosure. Optical bonding with resin-based adhesive not only increases product durability but also enhances optical properties by eliminating reflections and improving color reproduction. The aTouch panel aligns with the display’s dimensions and mounts externally (with a body that may include standard mounting holes). It can function under glass up to 6mm thick.
Durability
A primary design principle for Riverdi is high module resilience. The resin bonding of panels and matrices enhances mechanical durability. All displays are prepared for industrial applications and outdoor use (public-use machines). Although they require sealing in enclosures, they exhibit a wide thermal tolerance, from -20°C to 70°C.
Versatile, Suitable for Any Application
In summary, one of the key features of Riverdi displays is their versatility and multifunctionality. The manufacturer ensured that modules could be powered by a wide range of voltages (from 6V to 48V DC). Each display is fully programmable and supports a wide array of commonly used interfaces, making it ideal for upgrading older machinery/equipment (even in the presence of electromagnetic interference).
The products are designed for quick implementation in new projects, crucial in today’s world where responsive and intuitive interfaces (HMI) with touch screens are foundational for dozens of devices: from consumer electronics to smart building terminals, POS terminals, medical equipment, and industrial/public machinery (info kiosks, dispensers, ticket machines, etc.).
