EPL-200 TCON Controller Board
- Panel support: E Ink
- 25.3", 28.1" & 28.5"
- Inputs: USB-C · microSD · Wi-Fi
- Panel support: E Ink 25.3", 28.1" & 28.5"
- Power: 12V DC
Part number
- EPL-200 board: 4160247xx-3
- FFC cables: 426162350-3 × 2
Boards for E Ink epaper displays
EPL-200 TCON Controller Board
The Digital View EPL-200 drives E Ink epaper panels at 25.3", 28.1" and 28.5" — and unlike a plain interface board, it can run the display on its own. Connected to a host over USB-C it behaves as a straightforward image interface, taking a bitmap from a Raspberry Pi, an Android player or a PC. Left on its own it becomes the player: content on a microSD card, a schedule kept by an on-board clock, and updates over Wi-Fi.
Our part is everything between the panel and your system — matching the board to the panel, getting the image onto it, and keeping it running. For the panel technologies themselves — Kaleido colour, Spectra 6 and monochrome — see E Ink.
See the connection guide below, after the Specifications
Options: Custom controller board layout with additional functions or integration is available as an engineering service. In addition Digital View can assist with display bonding and other integration requirements for the E Ink panel.
Driver board. FFC panel cables (P/N 426162350-3, two required) and the E Ink panel are ordered separately.
It can run the display on its own
The EPL-200 carries an ESP32-S3 module with 16 MB of flash, 8 MB of PSRAM, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE, alongside a microSD card slot and a real-time clock with a backup battery. Together those turn the board from an interface into a display controller that does not need a host computer attached.
- Content held on the board. Images live on the microSD card or in on-board flash, so the display keeps working when the network or the player is unavailable.
- Updates on a schedule. The clock is battery-backed, so a timetable survives a power cut and the panel changes when it should.
- Updates over the air. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE are on the module, with an external antenna connector for installations inside metal enclosures.
- Switching other equipment. Two on-board solid-state relays, rated to 350 V, let the board control a front light, a heater, or power to another device.
- Temperature-aware updates. A panel temperature sensor input feeds waveform selection, which e-paper needs in order to render correctly across its operating range.
Most installations use none of this. If you are specifying an e-paper sign and planning to add a separate media player to hold the content and run the schedule, it is worth knowing that the board in front of you already can.
Specifications: EPL-200
Panel Connectivity
Refer to the appropriate Connection Diagram (PDF)
- E Ink 25.3"
- EC253TT1 (Kaleido)
- EL253EW1 (Spectra 6)
- E Ink 28"
- ED280TT1
- E Ink 28.5"
- EL285TW1
- E Ink 31.2"
- ED312TT2, ED312TT3
- E Ink 42"
- ED420TT3, ED420TT5
Resolution
The EPL-200 supports the native resolutions of the E Ink panels
- 25.3": 3200 x 1800 (16:9 aspect ratio)
- 28": 3840 x 1080 (32:9 aspect ratio)
- 28.5": 2160 x 3060 (portrait)
- 31.2": 2560 x 1440 (16:9 aspect ratio)
- 42": 2160 x 2880 (3:4 portrait)
Functions
- Image rotation: 0/90/180/270 degrees
- Image mirror
- Image flip
- Built-in temperature sensor
- 16/32 level grey scale mode
Input
- USB-C for image transfer · microSD card slot for content held on the board · Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE via the on-board ESP32-S3, external antenna connector
Mechanical & Environmental
- Board dimensions: 230.0 mm × 110.0 mm × 1.6 mm, 4-layer
- Maximum component height: 8.5 mm
- Mounting holes: 8 × 3.4 mm diameter, on a 111.0 mm pitch
- Operating temperature: 0°C to +60°C
- Tested: 48 hours at 60°C / 95% RH and 48 hours at 0°C — passed during and after
- Thermal cycling: −20°C to +70°C, 10 cycles — passed
- 2D and 3D drawings: see Downloads & Resources on this page
EPL-200 dimensions, see downloads
Power
Power input 12V DC
Power output (option): 5V DC
Standby power consumption (as meaasured):
- 25.3” Panel + EPL-100: 0.06A x 12VDC = 0.7W
- 28” Panel + EPL-100: 0.06A x 12VDC = 0.7W
- Digital View STM-100
- Raspberry Pi3 (Model B+) = 0.32A x 5VDC = 1.6W
During image write to panel (as measured):
- 25.3” Panel + EPL-100: 1.2A x 12VDC = 14.6W
- 28” Panel + EPL-100: 0.8A x 12VDC = 9.7W
- Digital View STM-100
- Raspberry Pi3 (Model B+) = 0.61A x 5VDC = 3.05W
Image file
- Supports bitmap (bmp) file format
Operating Temperature
- 0°C to +60°C (tested 48 hours at 60°C / 95% RH and 48 hours at 0°C; thermal cycling −20°C to +70°C, 10 cycles, passed)
Compliance & Lifecycle
- MTBF in excess of 200,000 hours @ 25oC (calculated using Telcordia SR-332 procedure)
- Warranty: 1 year
- RoHS compliant
- Environmental operating test report available on request
Customization
(options)
Layout component & connector selection
*Note: Customization is subject to quote - engineering charges and MOQ may apply.
Downloads EPL-200
Brochure (PDF)
Manual (PDF)
Revision Note (PDF)
2D Drawing (PDF)
2D Drawing (DWG)
3D Drawing (SLDPRT, STEP)
Application Notes
LCD Panel Connection Diagrams
Controller Solution Generator
Software Web Page
Link: Software web page
Statements & Declarations
Statement of volatility
RoHS & REACH declarations
Related Models
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about the EPL-200 and how it is used.
Not necessarily. The board carries an ESP32-S3 with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE, a microSD card slot and a battery-backed real-time clock, so it can hold content on the board and change it on a schedule on its own. It can equally be driven from a host over USB-C, taking a bitmap from a Raspberry Pi, an Android player or a PC. Talk to us about which approach suits your project and the software involved.
E Ink 25.3" (EC253TT1 Kaleido, EL253EW1 Spectra 6), 28" (ED280TT1), 28.5" (EL285TW1), 31.2" (ED312TT2, ED312TT3) and 42" (ED420TT3, ED420TT5). Native resolutions are 3200 × 1800 at 25.3", 3840 × 1080 at 28", 2160 × 3060 at 28.5", 2560 × 1440 at 31.2" and 2160 × 2880 at 42".
No. The EPL-200 is the driver board. The panel and the two FFC panel cables (part 426162350-3) are ordered separately.
As a bitmap. It can arrive over USB-C from a host, from the microSD card, or over Wi-Fi. E Ink panels hold their image without power, so the board only does work when the picture changes — which is why these displays suit battery and solar installations.
Yes. Two on-board solid-state relays, rated to 350 V, can switch a front light, a heater, or power to another device, under the board’s own control.
0°C to +60°C. It has been tested for 48 hours at 60°C and 95% relative humidity, for 48 hours at 0°C, and through ten thermal cycles between −20°C and +70°C, passing during and after each.
E Ink panels need a different drive waveform at different temperatures. The sensor input lets the board compensate, so the image renders correctly across the operating range rather than only at room temperature.
Yes. Custom board layouts, additional functions and conformal coating are available as an engineering service, subject to quote and minimum order quantity. Digital View can also assist with display bonding and other integration requirements.
Accessories EPL-200
OSD Buttons
Cables
Front light
Audio Board
