1.54 inch e-ink display (200x200): specs and pinout
A 200 x 200 pixel black and white e-paper module with an SPI interface and a driver board, in hardware versions V1 and V2.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 200 x 200 pixels | source Parameters |
| Interface | SPI, 4-wire, SPI mode 0 (CPOL 0, CPHA 0) | source Parameters; Communication Method |
| Operating voltage | 3.3 V; driver board V2.1 and later also accepts 5 V; older boards 3.3 V only | source Parameters; level-shifting note |
| Bare panel logic supply VCI | 2.2 V to 3.7 V (absolute maximum 4.0 V) | source Table 3.2-1 and Table 3.1-1 (p.12) |
| Refresh time | 2 s (experimental figure; full refresh flickers) | source Parameters |
| Refresh power | 26.4 mW typ | source Parameters |
| Standby current | less than 0.01 uA | source Parameters |
| Operating temperature | 0 C to 50 C (storage -25 C to 60 C) | source Parameters |
| Refresh guidance | At least 180 s between refreshes, and a full refresh at least every 24 hours | source Notes on e-Paper use |
| Colour | Black and white, 2 grey levels | source Parameters |
Power
| Value | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | 3.3 V (V2.1+ driver board also 5 V). Bare panel VCI 2.2-3.7 V. | source Table 3.2-1 (p.12); Waveshare wiki Parameters |
| Current | Bare panel: 1.5 mA typ update current, 2 uA max deep sleep (VCI 3.3 V); module standby below 0.01 uA | source Table 3.2-1 (p.12); Waveshare wiki Parameters |
Pinout
Pin list is from the Waveshare wiki for the 1.54inch e-Paper Module (V1 and V2 share the interface). The listing does not say V1 or V2.
| Pin | Function | Voltage | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCC | Power input | 3.3 V; 5 V on V2.1+ driver board | source Hardware Connection tables | |
| GND | Ground | 0 V | source Hardware Connection tables | |
| DIN | SPI serial data (MOSI) | Raspberry Pi header pin 19. | source Communication Method; Hardware Connection (Raspberry Pi) | |
| CLK | SPI serial clock (SCLK) | Raspberry Pi header pin 23. | source Communication Method; Hardware Connection (Raspberry Pi) | |
| CS | Chip select, active low | Raspberry Pi header pin 24 (CE0). | source Communication Method; Hardware Connection (Raspberry Pi) | |
| DC | Data/command: low = command, high = data | Raspberry Pi header pin 22 (BCM 25). | source Communication Method; Hardware Connection (Raspberry Pi) | |
| RST | Reset, active low (panel sheet RES#) | Raspberry Pi header pin 11 (BCM 17). | source Hardware Connection (Raspberry Pi); panel sheet p.6 | |
| BUSY | Busy output; do not send commands while it is high | Raspberry Pi header pin 18 (BCM 24). | source Hardware Connection (Raspberry Pi); panel sheet p.6 |
Build with it
Project ideas for the 1.54 inch e-ink display (200x200). Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.
- Low-power weather tag: Run the module at 3.3 V from the ESP32; the panel keeps its image with no power, so refresh no more than once every 3 minutes (the wiki's minimum interval) and put the panel to sleep between updates.
- Pico date card: Show the date and a time that is refreshed no more than once every 3 minutes (the wiki's minimum refresh interval is 180 s), with a full refresh at least every 24 hours; a per-minute clock face would break that guidance.
- Pi Zero quote frame: The wiki says the board can plug straight into a 40-pin Raspberry Pi header, but the stocked Zero 2 W listing does not say a header is fitted: solder a header, or use the 8-pin cable the wiki describes. Enable SPI first; refresh no more than once every 3 minutes.
Common mistakes
- Powering an older driver board from 5 V: only V2.1 and later driver boards have level processing for 5 V; older boards support 3.3 V only, and the bare panel is rated to VCI 4.0 V maximum (source)
- Refreshing too often or leaving the panel powered: refresh at most every 180 s, do a full refresh at least once per 24 hours, and put the panel to sleep when idle (source)
- Using the V1 demo code on a V2 module or the reverse: V2 is hardware-compatible with V1 but uses the V2 demo (source)
Not covered by the official source
- Listing does not state V1 or V2; panel figures are for V2 and the V1 panel datasheet is not covered.
- Panel specification covers the bare panel, not the driver board.
- Pin voltage columns are empty where the wiki gives no figure.
- Wiki states the refresh time and power are experimental figures.