I want to build a router that displays current throughput for each interface (primary goal), SNR, load, uptime, and other statistics via either a graphical or character-based LCD display.

My initial thought was that OpenWRT may be able to drive a CrystalFontz or similar serial LCD directly through a router's serial port.

The PalmOrb project looks quite interesting, as well, and has been implemented with a WL-500GP using Oleg's Firmware (original, english translation).  PalmOrb is also mentioned on this forum here and here.

Another option would be to connect an Arduino board via USB or serial and have that control the LCD.  Here's a project for Nagios monitoring on Arduino, for reference.

I'm pretty flexible as to what router I run this off of.  I've got a WRT54G v3, a Fonera 2100, and an Asus WL-520Gu.  I wouldn't mind acquiring something better for this purpose, either, like a RouterStation Pro or an ALIX, either of which would give me the flexibility of having both USB and serial ports onboard.

Any thoughts or suggestions on how to embark on this project?  Has anyone been successful with this on OpenWRT?

Yes, with cheap key chains

http://eko.one.pl/?p=openwrt-lcd4linux (in polish)

If you have usb, there's no need for the arduino--just go straight through USB serial to the LCD (as here: http://www.1strecon.org/TheShoppe/k107/bundles.shtml or here: http://www.phanderson.com/picaxe/ (LCD117))

The WL-520gU should handle this with no strain.  This USB-RS232 dongle from ebay is suitable: http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-to-RS232-Ser...item414955d103 ($2.38 with shipping).

My personal preference would be to put it on a web page, but I guess it can be nice to have something to glance at when you walk by.

Edit: the phanderson product is a kit and would require level-shifting to use with USB-serial; the wulfden board has a jumper to select between ttl levels and rs232.

(Last edited by lizby on 14 Jan 2010, 12:24)

Here's the Wulfden LCD controller on a WL-520gU with the above mentioned USB-RS232 dongle and a Sure electronics non-backlit LCD:
http://stores.ebay.com/Sure-Electronics … ec0Q2em322 (This LCD model apparently no longer is sold--but backlit would be better anyway.)

If building trunk, enable stty in busybox coreutils so that you can set baud rate.
If downloading snapshot, install packages empty and picocom to set baud rate.
The display pictured is shown by either

stty -F /dev/ttyUSB0 9600 clocal cread cs8 -cstopb -parenb -crtscts
echo "?fWulfden Controlr?n  Hello, World" >/dev/ttyUSB0

or

empty -f picocom -b 9600 -p n -f n -l -r /dev/ttyUSB0
echo "?fWulfden Controlr?n  Hello, World" >/dev/ttyUSB0

I took power from inside the WL-520gU, and passed it on to the 3-wire servo cable which takes data and ground from the DB9 cable plugged into the USB-Serial dongle.  The PHAnderson firmware in the controller supports many different LCD configurations.

I'm assuming that kmod-usb-video would allow the use of a USB display, but I haven't seen anyone post working results yet.

Wow, these are all great examples.  I'll plan to address this in more detail as I have time.  I'm glad there are lots of options (and with my existing hardware, no less).

lizby,

With the setup you're suggesting, would something like the K107 backpack be needed on what are otherwise advertised as "serial" LCDs?  Or does the backpack facilitate serial -> HD44780?

Any issues with 3.3v vs 5v when powering from the router?

The Wulfden K107 kit supports rs232 voltage levels and 5v ttl levels (with a jumper).  It connects to HD44780 parallel LCDs (the firmware uses "nibble" mode--4-bit data.  You can take 5v or 3.3v out of the router--the switching power plug gives a good 5v, and you can take it by soldering right to the pins of the power input jack.  3v3 is easiest to get from the internal serial 4-pin position.  When you use the USB-serial dongle, there is no 3.3v vs 5v issue.  The internal 3.3v logic-level serial can be disconnected from the console, but at a stage in the boot process where a lot of text has already been output at a baud rate of 115200--I don't know if you'd want that scrolling across your LCD. 

A "serial" lcd might well be logic-level.  If it were, then you would need to shift from an rs232 dongle down to the level required.

@JimWright: kmod-usb-video is needed for support of webcams.  Whether it provides functionality for outputting video, I don't know--as you say, no working results visible.  openWrt is not geared towards video out--I don't know if even people using the alix boards or other x86 are doing anything other than using openWrt "headless".

This is a WRT54GL motherboard mounted into a new enclosure, with an ISE 2x40 vacuum fluorescent display.  The display driver and the diagnostic/status program that uses it are written in Lua.  The VFD is attached to serial port 1 and powered right off the motherboard.  It's been running for two years without problems.

Hello.

Can anyone guide me to connect a nokia 3310, 5110 display to my wrt54gl?
I can't find any schematics.

Thanks in advance!

Has anyone tried attaching an LCD to a WR1043ND ?