Frame buffer refers to the place in memory (usually RAM type) where pixel data for the frame currently being displayed and subsequent frames are stored.

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The size of the frame buffer is determined by the screen size and the color depth

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You can calculate the frame buffer size using the formula:

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Frame buffer size (Bytes) = Number of Pixels X Color Depth (Bits) / 8

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E.g.: For a QVGA display at 16bpp color depth, the frame buffer memory required is 320x240x16/8 = 153,600 Bytes.

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• As the color depth and display resolution increase, the frame buffer size grows.

• Most applications may use more than a single frame buffer which would increase the memory requirements as well.

• The frame buffer can be stored in the microcontroller RAM, in external SRAM or integrated into an external display controller.