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#embedded-graphics #graphics #charts #embedded-std

no-std embedded-charts

A rich graph framework for embedded systems using embedded-graphics with std/no_std support

3 releases (breaking)

0.3.0 Jun 23, 2025
0.2.0 Jun 15, 2025
0.1.0 Jun 7, 2025

#393 in Embedded development

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128 downloads per month

MIT/Apache

2MB
21K SLoC

Embedded Charts

Crates.io Documentation Build Status License MSRV

A production-ready, high-performance chart library for embedded systems and resource-constrained environments. Built on embedded-graphics, it provides comprehensive charting capabilities with full no_std support.

✨ Key Features

  • 🎯 Production Ready: Memory-efficient, optimized for resource-constrained systems
  • 📊 Complete Chart Suite: Line, bar, pie, donut, gauge, scatter, and smooth curve charts
  • 🌊 Advanced Interpolation: Cubic spline, Catmull-Rom, and Bezier curve smoothing
  • 🚀 Real-time Streaming: Live data updates with smooth animations and transitions
  • 🎨 Professional Styling: Themes, gradient fills, pattern fills, and customizable appearance
  • 📈 Smart Data Handling: Logarithmic scales, data aggregation, LTTB downsampling
  • 🏗️ Dashboard Layouts: Grid-based composition for multi-chart displays
  • 💾 Memory Efficient: Static allocation, configurable capacity, zero heap usage
  • 🔧 Fully Configurable: Modular features, extensive customization options
  • 🌐 Universal Compatibility: Works with any display supporting embedded-graphics

🎨 Visual Showcase

Professional Theme Collection

Theme Showcase - All Themes Complete collection of professional color themes optimized for different display types and use cases

Line Chart
Line Charts
Multi-series, markers, area filling
Smooth Curve Chart
Smooth Curve Charts
Cubic spline, Catmull-Rom, Bezier interpolation
Bar Chart
Bar Charts
Vertical/horizontal, stacked support
Pie Chart
Pie Charts
Full circles, custom colors, professional styling
Donut Chart
Donut Charts
Hollow centers, percentage-based sizing, embedded-optimized
Gauge Chart
Gauge Charts
Semicircle/full circle, threshold zones, needle styles
Scatter Chart
Scatter Charts
Bubble charts, collision detection, clustering

Advanced Styling & Layouts

Gradient Fills
Gradient Fills & Patterns
Linear/radial gradients, pattern fills, optimized rendering
Dashboard Layouts
Dashboard Composition
Grid layouts, flexible positioning, responsive design

Real-time Animation Demonstrations

Streaming Animation
Real-time Streaming
Live data updates with smooth animations
IoT Dashboard
IoT Sensor Dashboard
Multi-sensor real-time monitoring
Production Demo Animation
Production Auto-Redraw
Real-time production monitoring with automatic updates
System Dashboard
System Monitoring
Comprehensive system metrics visualization

🔄 Real-time Data Streaming with Ring Buffers

Ring Buffer Real-time Demo
High-Performance Ring Buffer
Real-time data streaming with chronological ordering, moving averages, and buffer visualization

The library includes a high-performance ring buffer implementation for efficient real-time data streaming:

use embedded_charts::prelude::*;
use embedded_charts::data::{PointRingBuffer, RingBuffer, RingBufferConfig};

// Create ring buffer with 100-point capacity
let mut data_buffer: PointRingBuffer<100> = PointRingBuffer::new();

// Configure for real-time streaming
let config = RingBufferConfig {
    overflow_mode: OverflowMode::Overwrite,  // Overwrite oldest data
    enable_events: true,                      // Event notifications
    track_bounds: true,                       // Auto bounds tracking
    ..Default::default()
};

let mut streaming_buffer: RingBuffer<Point2D, 100> = RingBuffer::with_config(config);

// Set up event handler
streaming_buffer.set_event_handler(|event| match event {
    RingBufferEvent::BufferFull => println!("Buffer is now full!"),
    RingBufferEvent::BoundsChanged => println!("Data bounds have changed"),
    _ => {}
});

// Stream data through the buffer
loop {
    let sensor_value = read_sensor();
    streaming_buffer.push_point(Point2D::new(timestamp, sensor_value))?;
    
    // Use chronological iterator for proper time ordering
    let mut chart_data = StaticDataSeries::<Point2D, 256>::new();
    for point in streaming_buffer.iter_chronological() {
        chart_data.push(*point)?;
    }
    
    // Calculate moving average
    if let Some(avg) = streaming_buffer.moving_average(20) {
        display_average(avg);
    }
}

Key Features:

  • 🚀 Zero allocation after initialization
  • 📊 Chronological iteration even with wrap-around
  • 📈 Built-in statistics: moving average, rate of change, downsampling
  • 🎯 Event-driven architecture with configurable overflow behavior
  • 📍 Automatic bounds tracking for dynamic axis scaling
  • 🔧 No unsafe code - memory safe by design

🚀 Quick Start

Installation

Add to your Cargo.toml:

[dependencies]
embedded-charts = "0.3.0"
embedded-graphics = "0.8"

Simple Line Chart (30 seconds to working chart)

use embedded_charts::prelude::*;
use embedded_graphics::{pixelcolor::Rgb565, prelude::*};

fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
    // Create sample data
    let data = data_points![(0.0, 10.0), (1.0, 20.0), (2.0, 15.0), (3.0, 25.0)];

    // Build chart with fluent API
    let chart = LineChart::builder()
        .line_color(Rgb565::BLUE)
        .line_width(2)
        .with_title("Temperature Over Time")
        .background_color(Rgb565::WHITE)
        .build()?;

    // Render to any embedded-graphics display
    let viewport = Rectangle::new(Point::zero(), Size::new(320, 240));
    chart.draw(&data, chart.config(), viewport, &mut display)?;
    
    Ok(())
}

Smooth Curve Chart (Advanced Interpolation)

use embedded_charts::prelude::*;
use embedded_charts::chart::CurveChart;
use embedded_charts::math::interpolation::InterpolationType;

fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
    // Temperature data over 24 hours
    let data = data_points![
        (0.0, 20.0), (3.0, 15.0), (6.0, 25.0), (9.0, 35.0), 
        (12.0, 40.0), (15.0, 30.0), (18.0, 22.0), (21.0, 18.0), (24.0, 20.0)
    ];

    // Build smooth curve chart with Catmull-Rom interpolation
    let chart = CurveChart::builder()
        .line_color(Rgb565::BLUE)
        .line_width(3)
        .interpolation_type(InterpolationType::CatmullRom)
        .subdivisions(4)
        .tension(0.5)
        .fill_area(Rgb565::CSS_LIGHT_BLUE)
        .with_markers(MarkerStyle {
            shape: MarkerShape::Circle,
            size: 12,
            color: Rgb565::RED,
            visible: true,
        })
        .with_title("Temperature Over Time - Smooth Curve")
        .build()?;

    // Render smooth interpolated curve
    let viewport = Rectangle::new(Point::zero(), Size::new(800, 600));
    chart.draw(&data, chart.config(), viewport, &mut display)?;
    
    Ok(())
}

Professional Dashboard (Multi-series with Legend)

use embedded_charts::prelude::*;

fn create_dashboard() -> ChartResult<()> {
    // Create multiple data series
    let temp_data = data_points![(0.0, 22.5), (1.0, 23.1), (2.0, 24.2), (3.0, 23.8)];
    let humidity_data = data_points![(0.0, 65.0), (1.0, 68.0), (2.0, 72.0), (3.0, 70.0)];

    // Build professional multi-series chart
    let chart = LineChart::builder()
        .line_color(Rgb565::CSS_STEEL_BLUE)
        .line_width(2)
        .with_markers(MarkerStyle::circle(4, Rgb565::CSS_CRIMSON))
        .with_title("Environmental Monitoring")
        .background_color(Rgb565::WHITE)
        .build()?;

    // Create legend
    let legend = StandardLegendBuilder::new()
        .position(LegendPos::TopRight)
        .add_line_entry("Temperature", Rgb565::CSS_STEEL_BLUE)?
        .add_line_entry("Humidity", Rgb565::CSS_ORANGE)?
        .professional_style()
        .build()?;

    // Render both chart and legend
    chart.draw(&temp_data, chart.config(), viewport, &mut display)?;
    legend_renderer.render(&legend, legend_area, &mut display)?;
    
    Ok(())
}

Gradient Fills Example

use embedded_charts::prelude::*;
use embedded_charts::style::{LinearGradient, GradientDirection, PatternFill, PatternType};

fn gradient_chart() -> ChartResult<()> {
    // Create a beautiful gradient background
    let gradient = LinearGradient::simple(
        Rgb565::new(0, 32, 64),   // Dark blue
        Rgb565::new(0, 128, 255), // Bright blue
        GradientDirection::Vertical,
    )?;
    
    // Create pattern fill for bars
    let pattern = PatternFill::new(
        Rgb565::YELLOW,
        Rgb565::new(255, 200, 0), // Orange
        PatternType::Checkerboard { size: 4 },
    );
    
    // Apply gradient to chart background
    let chart = BarChart::builder()
        .bar_width(BarWidth::Fixed(40))
        .background_gradient(gradient)
        .bar_pattern(pattern)
        .build()?;
    
    Ok(())
}

Chart Animations Example

use embedded_charts::prelude::*;
use embedded_charts::animation::{ChartAnimator, EasingFunction};

fn animated_transitions() -> ChartResult<()> {
    // Create animator for smooth transitions
    let mut animator = ChartAnimator::<Point2D, 100>::new();
    
    // Set up animation with easing
    animator.configure(AnimationConfig {
        duration_ms: 1000,
        easing: EasingFunction::EaseInOutCubic,
        loop_animation: false,
    });
    
    // Animate between data states
    let initial_data = data_points![(0.0, 10.0), (1.0, 20.0), (2.0, 15.0)];
    let target_data = data_points![(0.0, 25.0), (1.0, 15.0), (2.0, 30.0)];
    
    animator.transition(&initial_data, &target_data)?;
    
    // Render animation frames
    loop {
        let progress = animator.update(16); // 60 FPS
        let interpolated = animator.get_interpolated_data(progress)?;
        
        chart.draw(&interpolated, config, viewport, &mut display)?;
        
        if animator.is_complete() { break; }
    }
    
    Ok(())
}

Dashboard Layout Example

use embedded_charts::prelude::*;
use embedded_charts::dashboard::{DashboardLayout, GridPosition};

fn create_dashboard_layout() -> ChartResult<()> {
    // Create 2x2 grid dashboard
    let mut dashboard = DashboardLayout::new(2, 2);
    
    // Add charts to grid positions
    dashboard.add_chart(
        GridPosition::new(0, 0),
        create_temperature_chart()?,
    );
    
    dashboard.add_chart(
        GridPosition::new(1, 0),
        create_humidity_chart()?,
    );
    
    // Add wide chart spanning 2 columns
    dashboard.add_chart_with_span(
        GridPosition::new(0, 1),
        2, 1, // span 2 columns, 1 row
        create_trend_chart()?,
    );
    
    // Render complete dashboard
    dashboard.render(&mut display)?;
    
    Ok(())
}

Data Aggregation Example

use embedded_charts::prelude::*;
use embedded_charts::data::{DataAggregator, AggregationStrategy};

fn aggregate_large_dataset() -> ChartResult<()> {
    // Large dataset with 10,000 points
    let large_data = generate_sensor_data(10_000);
    
    // Downsample to 200 points using LTTB algorithm
    let aggregator = DataAggregator::new()
        .strategy(AggregationStrategy::LTTB)
        .target_points(200);
    
    let downsampled = aggregator.process(&large_data)?;
    
    // Alternative: Statistical aggregation
    let stats_aggregator = DataAggregator::new()
        .strategy(AggregationStrategy::Mean)
        .group_size(50); // Average every 50 points
    
    let averaged = stats_aggregator.process(&large_data)?;
    
    // Render efficiently with downsampled data
    chart.draw(&downsampled, config, viewport, &mut display)?;
    
    Ok(())
}

Embedded System Usage (no_std)

#![no_std]
#![no_main]

use embedded_charts::prelude::*;
use embedded_graphics::{pixelcolor::Rgb565, prelude::*};

fn main() -> ! {
    // Initialize your embedded display
    let mut display = init_display();
    
    // Create data series with static allocation
    let mut sensor_data: StaticDataSeries<Point2D, 64> = StaticDataSeries::new();
    
    // Collect sensor readings
    for i in 0..32 {
        let reading = read_temperature_sensor();
        let _ = sensor_data.push(Point2D::new(i as f32, reading));
    }

    // Create minimal chart optimized for small displays
    let chart = LineChart::builder()
        .line_color(Rgb565::GREEN)
        .line_width(1)
        .build()
        .unwrap();

    // Render to 128x64 OLED display
    let viewport = Rectangle::new(Point::zero(), Size::new(128, 64));
    chart.draw(&sensor_data, chart.config(), viewport, &mut display).unwrap();
    
    loop {
        // Update display periodically
    }
}

📊 Complete Feature Matrix

Chart Type Status Key Features
Line Charts Multi-series, markers, area filling, smooth animations
Smooth Curve Charts Cubic spline, Catmull-Rom, Bezier interpolation, configurable tension
Bar Charts Vertical/horizontal, stacked, gradient fills, pattern support
Pie Charts Full circles, custom colors, professional styling
Donut Charts Percentage-based sizing, helper methods, center content
Gauge Charts Semicircle/full, threshold zones, needle animations
Scatter Charts Bubble charts, collision detection, clustering
System Feature Status Description
Real-time Animation Smooth transitions, easing functions, streaming data
Ring Buffer Streaming High-performance circular buffers with chronological ordering
Gradient Fills Linear/radial gradients, pattern fills, multi-stop support
Dashboard Layouts Grid-based composition, flexible positioning, presets
Advanced Scales Logarithmic, custom transformations, auto-tick generation
Data Aggregation LTTB downsampling, statistical aggregation, memory-efficient
Professional Styling Themes, gradients, patterns, advanced typography
Memory Management Static allocation, configurable capacity, zero heap
no_std Support Full embedded compatibility, minimal dependencies
Math Backends Float, fixed-point, integer-only, CORDIC
Display Compatibility OLED, TFT, E-Paper, custom displays

🛠️ Configuration Guide

Feature Flags

Configure the library precisely for your needs:

[dependencies]
embedded-charts = { 
    version = "0.3.0-dev",
    default-features = false,
    features = [
        # Target environment
        "std",                    # or "no_std" for embedded
        
        # Chart types (pick what you need)
        "line",                   # Line charts
        "bar",                    # Bar charts  
        "pie",                    # Pie and donut charts
        "scatter",                # Scatter and bubble charts
        "gauge",                  # Gauge and dial charts
        
        # Math backend (choose one)
        "floating-point",         # Full floating-point (recommended)
        "fixed-point",            # Fixed-point arithmetic
        "integer-math",           # Integer-only (most constrained)
        
        # Enhanced features
        "animations",             # Real-time animations
        "color-support",          # Professional color palettes
        "smooth-curves",          # Advanced curve interpolation (cubic spline, Catmull-Rom, Bezier)
    ]
}

Memory Configuration Examples

// Ultra-constrained: 32 data points, minimal features
type SmallSeries = StaticDataSeries<Point2D, 32>;

// Standard embedded: 256 data points
type StandardSeries = StaticDataSeries<Point2D, 256>;

// High-capacity: 1024 data points for data logging
type LargeSeries = StaticDataSeries<Point2D, 1024>;

🎯 Use Cases & Examples

📊 IoT Sensor Monitoring

Perfect for displaying sensor data on embedded displays:

  • Temperature/humidity tracking
  • Environmental monitoring stations
  • Industrial sensor networks
  • Smart home dashboards

🏭 Industrial HMI

Human-Machine Interface applications:

  • Real-time process monitoring
  • Equipment status dashboards
  • Production line analytics
  • Quality control charts

🏥 Medical Devices

Medical and health monitoring:

  • Vital sign displays
  • Patient monitoring systems
  • Diagnostic equipment interfaces
  • Portable health devices

🚗 Automotive Displays

Vehicle dashboard and infotainment:

  • Instrument clusters
  • Performance monitoring
  • Navigation route display
  • Vehicle diagnostics

🔬 Advanced Examples

Real-time Data Streaming

use embedded_charts::prelude::*;

fn streaming_dashboard() -> ChartResult<()> {
    // Create sliding window for continuous data
    let mut stream = SlidingWindowSeries::<Point2D, 100>::new();
    
    // Set up animated chart
    let chart = LineChart::builder()
        .line_color(Rgb565::CSS_LIME_GREEN)
        .line_width(2)
        .fill_area(Rgb565::new(0, 8, 0)) // Semi-transparent fill
        .with_animation(AnimationConfig {
            duration: 500,
            easing: EasingFunction::EaseInOut,
        })
        .build()?;

    // Simulation loop
    for i in 0..1000 {
        // Add new data point
        let timestamp = i as f32 * 0.1;
        let value = 50.0 + 20.0 * (timestamp * 0.5).sin();
        stream.push(Point2D::new(timestamp, value))?;
        
        // Render with smooth animation
        chart.draw(&stream, chart.config(), viewport, &mut display)?;
        
        // Update every 100ms
        std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(100));
    }
    
    Ok(())
}

Multi-Chart Dashboard

use embedded_charts::prelude::*;

fn create_multi_chart_dashboard() -> ChartResult<()> {
    // Divide display into quadrants
    let display_size = Size::new(480, 320);
    let chart_size = Size::new(240, 160);
    
    // Create different chart types
    let line_chart = create_temperature_chart()?;
    let bar_chart = create_usage_chart()?;
    let pie_chart = create_distribution_chart()?;
    let gauge_chart = create_status_gauge()?;
    
    // Render in grid layout
    let viewports = [
        Rectangle::new(Point::new(0, 0), chart_size),     // Top-left
        Rectangle::new(Point::new(240, 0), chart_size),   // Top-right  
        Rectangle::new(Point::new(0, 160), chart_size),   // Bottom-left
        Rectangle::new(Point::new(240, 160), chart_size), // Bottom-right
    ];
    
    line_chart.draw(&temp_data, line_chart.config(), viewports[0], &mut display)?;
    bar_chart.draw(&usage_data, bar_chart.config(), viewports[1], &mut display)?;
    pie_chart.draw(&dist_data, pie_chart.config(), viewports[2], &mut display)?;
    gauge_chart.draw(&status_data, gauge_chart.config(), viewports[3], &mut display)?;
    
    Ok(())
}

Custom Styling and Themes

use embedded_charts::prelude::*;

fn themed_charts() -> ChartResult<()> {
    // Dark theme for OLED displays
    let dark_theme = ChartTheme {
        background: Rgb565::BLACK,
        primary: Rgb565::CSS_CYAN,
        secondary: Rgb565::CSS_ORANGE,
        text: Rgb565::WHITE,
        grid: Rgb565::new(8, 8, 8),
    };
    
    // Professional theme for TFT displays  
    let professional_theme = ChartTheme {
        background: Rgb565::WHITE,
        primary: Rgb565::CSS_STEEL_BLUE,
        secondary: Rgb565::CSS_CRIMSON,
        text: Rgb565::BLACK,
        grid: Rgb565::new(20, 20, 20),
    };
    
    // Apply theme to chart
    let chart = LineChart::builder()
        .theme(dark_theme)
        .line_width(2)
        .with_grid(true)
        .build()?;
        
    Ok(())
}

🛡️ Error Handling & Debugging

The library provides comprehensive error handling:

use embedded_charts::prelude::*;

fn robust_chart_creation() {
    match create_chart() {
        Ok(chart) => {
            // Chart created successfully
            println!("Chart ready for rendering");
        }
        Err(ChartError::InsufficientData) => {
            println!("Need more data points to render chart");
        }
        Err(ChartError::MemoryFull) => {
            println!("Data series capacity exceeded");
        }
        Err(ChartError::InvalidConfiguration) => {
            println!("Chart configuration invalid");
        }
        Err(ChartError::RenderingError) => {
            println!("Display rendering failed");
        }
        Err(e) => {
            println!("Unexpected error: {:?}", e);
        }
    }
}

🚀 Performance & Optimization

Memory Usage Guidelines

Configuration Memory Usage Use Case
Minimal (32 points, integer-math) ~1KB Ultra-constrained MCUs
Standard (256 points, floating-point) ~8KB Typical embedded systems
Professional (1024 points, all features) ~32KB High-end embedded systems

Performance Optimization Tips

  1. Choose appropriate math backend:

    • integer-math: Fastest, most constrained
    • fixed-point: Good balance of speed and precision
    • floating-point: Most features, moderate performance
  2. Optimize data series size:

    • Use smallest capacity that meets your needs
    • Consider sliding windows for continuous data
  3. Minimize feature flags:

    • Only enable chart types you actually use
    • Disable animations on slow displays

📚 Documentation & Resources

Example Categories

  • Basic Charts: Simple chart creation and styling
  • Interactive: Multi-series charts with legends and animations
  • Real-time: Streaming data and live updates
  • Embedded: no_std examples for constrained systems

🤝 Contributing

We welcome contributions! The library is actively maintained with:

  • Comprehensive test suite (95%+ coverage)
  • CI/CD pipeline with 17 feature combination tests
  • Documentation examples with visual verification
  • Performance benchmarks for embedded targets

To contribute:

  1. Check existing issues
  2. Read the Contributing Guide
  3. Submit a pull request with tests and documentation

🏆 Project Status

This library is production-ready and actively used in:

  • Industrial IoT devices
  • Medical monitoring equipment
  • Automotive dashboard systems
  • Smart home controllers

Stability Guarantees

  • API Stability: Semantic versioning with clear upgrade paths
  • Memory Safety: No unsafe code, comprehensive testing
  • Performance: Optimized for resource-constrained environments
  • Compatibility: Maintained compatibility with embedded-graphics ecosystem

📄 License

This project is dual-licensed under either of:

at your option.

🙏 Acknowledgments

  • Built on the excellent embedded-graphics foundation
  • Inspired by the embedded Rust community's needs for high-quality visualization
  • Special thanks to all contributors, testers, and early adopters

Ready to create beautiful charts in your embedded project?
📖 Read the Docs | 🎯 Try Examples | 💬 Get Help

Dependencies

~3.5–6MB
~86K SLoC