Merlot is an open-source {hardware} tricolor wi-fi E-paper show

paperd.ink Merlot is a tricolor E-paper show with an open-source {hardware} management board primarily based on ESP32 wi-fi SoC that’s programmable with Arduino, MicroPython, or the ESP-IDF framework.

We first wrote concerning the paperd.ink 4.2-inch ESP32-based monochrome e-Paper show final yr, however the firm has now refined its design with the “paperd.ink Basic” changing the 3D printed enclosure with a vacuum forged enclosure and including a 1,900 mAh battery. Additionally they launched a brand new mannequin, the Merlot, primarily based on the identical design however with a show supporting three colours: black, white, and purple.

Merlot specs:

• Wi-fi module – ESP32-WROOM-32 module with ESP32 dual-core processor, 4 MB SPI flash, 2.4 GHz WiFi 4 & Bluetooth LE connectivity
• Storage – MicroSD card slot for storing photographs, recordsdata, and so on
• Show – 4.2″ tricolor e-Paper show with 400 x 300 decision; full refresh: ~ 17 seconds; partial replace: additionally 17 seconds…
• USB – 1x USB Sort-C port for charging and programming
• Enlargement – 26-pin extension header with 8x GPIO, I2C, UART, SPI, ESP_EN pin to allow/disable ESP32 to decrease energy consumption, LDO_EN pin to primarily flip off the board.
• Debugging – Through USB Sort-C port related to CP2104 USB-UART chip
• Misc – 4x tactile buttons, piezo buzzer, reset button, charging LED
• Battery – 3.7V 1,900 mAh LiPo battery
• Energy Provide – 5V through USB Sort-C port, 2-pin battery connector plus battery charger circuit
• Energy Consumption – <20uA in sleep mode
• Dimensions – PCB: 92.1 x 78.1 mm; enclosure is 98 x 82 x 16 mm
• Certifications – FCC/CE

If the refresh fee is extra necessary than being able to show colour, the Basic monochrome show will refresh a lot sooner in about 1 second for the complete display and 0.5s for a partial refresh. The corporate offers an Arduino library and code samples akin to Crypto tracker, Youtube stats, Calendar, and so on… and KiCad {hardware} design recordsdata on GitHub, in addition to documentation on their very own web site the place you’ll additionally discover fundamental Micropython samples.

Final time round, paperd.ink launched their show on Indiegogo, however the firm is now promoting the brand new Basic (monochrome) and Merlot (tricolor) E-paper show instantly for $89 and $99 respectively.

Jean-Luc began CNX Software program in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, earlier than quitting his job as a software program engineering supervisor, and beginning to write day by day information, and critiques full time later in 2011.