diff --git a/lib/hd44780/gpio.ex b/lib/hd44780/gpio.ex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cdaa5c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/hd44780/gpio.ex
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+defmodule Hdd4780.GPIO do
+  @moduledoc """
+  This module holds the process implementation that holds the state when using `GPIO`
+  to communicate with the LCD Matrix Screen. Implemented as GenServer this module holds
+  in its state
+  1. A map of references for the connections to the pins and the number of rows and colums a screen has.
+  2. A list of keys for various settings such as direction of input, scrolling effect, a flag stating the
+  screen's current operation, the current fontface the screen is utilizing.
+
+  In addition to holding this state this GenServer exposes calls to let a user perform various actions such as
+  writing to the screen, blinking the cursor, moving the cursor on the screen, turing the display on and off
+  """
+
+  use GenServer
+  alias Circuits.GPIO
+
+  defmodule State do
+   @moduledoc """
+    Holds a data structure to represent the state of the LCD Driver, this holds the following keys
+
+    * pins - a map holding references for the connections to various pins used when communicating
+    with the LCD Screen
+    """
+    @type t :: %__MODULE__{}
+   defstruct [:pins, :font, :lines, :cols, :direction]
+  end
+
+  @spec start_link(list()) :: {:ok, pid}
+  def start_link(%{name: name} = config) do
+    GenServer.start_link(__MODULE__, config, [name: name])
+  end
+
+  @spec init(map()) :: {:ok, State.t()} | {:error, term()}
+  def init(%{pins: %{en: en, rs: rs, d4: d4, d5: d5, d6: d6, d7: d7}} = config) do
+    with {:ok, pins} <- open_pins(),
+         new_state <- %State{pins: pins},
+         {:ok, state = %State{}} <- function_set(config)
+    do
+      {:ok, state}
+    else
+      val ->
+        val
+    end
+  end
+
+  @doc false
+  # this function runs an initalizization sequence the LCD Driver
+  # - in the future this needs to be modified to allow for 8 bit or 4 bit initialization
+  @spec initialize() :: {:ok, State.t()} | {:error, term()}
+
+  @doc false
+  # this function runs a function set to initialize the following
+  # - input direction
+  # - display on/off
+  # - interface length
+  @spec function_set(%{required(:font, :lines, :cols, :direction)}, State.t()} :: {:ok, State.t()} | {:error, term()}
+  def function_set(%{font: f, lines: l, cols: c, direction: d}, %{pins: %{rs: rs, d4: d4, d5: d5, d6: d6, d7: d7} = state) do
+    with :ok <- GPIO.write(rs, 0),
+         {:ok, :written} <- write_byte(0, state) do
+           {:ok, %{ state | font: f, lines: l, cols: c, direction: d}}
+    else
+     val ->
+       {:error, val}
+    end
+  end
+
+
+  @doc false
+  # this function writes a byte to the LCD Display
+  # In the future this needs to be modified to check the state for 8 bit or
+  # 4 bit mode and use the appropriate pins in regards to this setting
+  @spec write_byte(byte(), State.t(), non_negative_integer()) :: {:ok, :written} | {:error, term()}
+  def write_byte(byte, %{pins: pins}, rs)  do
+    write_4_bits(byte >>> 4, rs)
+    write_4_bits(btye, rs)
+  end
+
+  @doc false
+  # this function writes to the device when in 4 bit mode
+  @spec write_4_bits(bitstring(), State.t(), non_negative_integer) :: {:ok, :written} | {:error, term()}
+  def write_4_bits(bits, %{pins: %{d4: d4, d5: d5, d6: d6, d7: d7} = state, rs) do
+    with :ok <- GPIO.write(rs, rs),
+         :ok <- GPIO.write(d4, bits &&& 0x01),
+         :ok <- GPIO.write(d5, bits >>> 1 &&& 0x01),
+         :ok <- GPIO.write(d6, bits >>> 2 &&& 0x01),
+         :ok <- GPIO.write(d7, bits >>> 3 &&& 0x01),
+         {:ok, _} <- pulse_en(state)
+    do
+      {:ok, :written}
+    else
+      val -> {:error, val}
+    end
+  end
+
+  @doc false
+  # this functions opens pins when the server is starting up
+  @spec open_pins(%{required(:en, :rs, :d4, :d5, :d6, :d7)}) :: {:ok, map()} | {:error, term()}
+  def open_pins(%{en: en, rs: rs, d4: d4, d5: d5, d6: d6, d7: d7}) do
+    with {:ok, enpin} <- GPIO.open(en, :both),
+         {:ok, rspin} <- GPIO.open(rs, :both),
+         {:ok, d4pin} <- GPIO.open(d4, :both),
+         {:ok, d5pin} <- GPIO.open(d5, :both),
+         {:ok, d6pin} <- GPIO.open(d6, :both),
+         {:ok, d7pin} <- GPIO.open(d7, :both)
+    do
+      {:ok, %{en: enpin, rs: rspin, d4: d4pin, d5: d5pin, d6: d6pin, d7: d7pin}}
+    else
+      {:error, msg} ->
+          {:error, msg}
+    end
+  end
+
+
+
+  @doc false
+  # this function causes a rising edge in th en pin to indicate a command
+  @spec pulse_en(State.t()) :: {:ok, State.t()} | {:error, term()}
+  defp pulse(%{pins: %{en: en} = state) do
+
+    with :ok <- GPIO.write(en, 0),
+         :ok <- GPIO.write(en, 1),
+         :ok <- GPIO.write(en, 0)
+    do
+      {:ok , state}
+    end
+  end
+
+
+end