TFT Display Configuration Files for Embedded SBCs

This page provides pre-tested Device Tree Source (DTS) configurations for integrating TFT LCD display modules with popular Rockchip-based Single Board Computers (SBCs), including RK3576, RK3566, RK3568, PX30, A33, and others. It aims to help embedded Linux and Android developers quickly bring up display interfaces in custom or commercial projects.

✨ Key Features

📌 Ready-to-use .dts and .dtsi configuration files
🧩 Supports TFT LCD modules like RK050HR18, RK070CU01
🛠️ Compatible with Android and Linux kernel (4.19/5.10/5.15)
✅ Validated on PX30, RK3566 SBC platforms
🔧 Easily adaptable to custom SBC designs

📖 Why DTS Matters for Rockchip-Based SBCs

In embedded Linux systems, the Device Tree (DT) is a hardware description mechanism used by the Linux kernel. It tells the kernel what devices exist, how they’re connected, and how they should be initialized. For TFT displays, accurate DTS configurations are crucial to ensure proper panel initialization, power sequencing, timing synchronization, and backlight control.

🧠 Anatomy of a Panel Node

Each TFT panel has unique specifications such as resolution, interface (RGB, LVDS, MIPI), timing parameters, and reset behavior. A typical Device Tree snippet for a panel might look like:

panel: panel {
    compatible = "rocktech,rk070cu01";
    backlight = <&backlight>;
    power-supply = <&vcc_3v3>;
    enable-gpios = <&gpio3 15 GPIO_ACTIVE_HIGH>;
    ...
};

Understanding these parameters helps customize the display for a specific board layout or power scheme.

📚 Use Case: Rapid Prototyping Workflow

When developing a new product using a Rockchip SoC and a selected Rocktech TFT display, our typical steps include:

Selecting a compatible panel (e.g., RK070CU01)
Creating a fly-wire breakout board if needed
Applying DTS config to enable basic display functionality
Verifying resolution and interface settings on Linux/Android console
Refining backlight, brightness, and touch panel integration if needed

📂 GitHub Source: Kevin109/rocktech-tft-display-configs

📋 Supported Display Modules

Model	Size	Resolution	Interface	Learn More
RK070CU01	7.0”	1024x600	LVDS	View Details
RK050HR18	5.0”	800x480	RGB	View Details
RK101HI34E	10.1”	1280x800	LVDS	View Details
RK050BHD335	5.0”	720x1280	MIPI	View Details
RK035SHV235	3.5”	320x480	MIPI	View Details

🧪 Example: RK070CU01 DTS Configuration

The RK070CU01 7-inch LVDS display is widely used in industrial and HMI devices. A sample DTS configuration includes:

&lvds {
    status = "okay";
    rockchip,data-mapping = "vesa-24";
    rockchip,output = "dual";
};

panel {
    compatible = "rocktech,rk070cu01";
    ...
};

You’ll need to ensure correct timing parameters (hsync, vsync, pixel-clock) based on the panel datasheet.

🛠️ Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
Blank screen after boot	Check power-on delay, enable GPIO, and backlight control
Incorrect resolution	Validate timing parameters in panel node
Kernel crash	DTS syntax or wrong phandle reference

Always use dmesg, cat /proc/device-tree and oscilloscope for debugging.

🔗 Further Reading & External Resources

🌐 Explore More

If you’re looking for reliable, cost-effective embedded SBCs for your industrial, medical, or smart device applications, we invite you to explore the solutions available at Rocktech. Our expertise in ARM platforms, Android/Linux BSP customization, and embedded HMI integration helps companies accelerate time-to-market with minimal risk.

👉 Explore Embedded SBC Solutions

🔁 For full context, this content is part of our open knowledge-sharing ecosystem. You can also check out LVDS vs. MIPI TFT Displays for signal comparison.