What is WS2812b LED and how to use WS2812b LED

What is WS2812b?

WS2812B is an intelligent control LED light source which integrates the control circuit and RGB chip into a 5050 component package.

It includes a smart digital port data latch and a signal reshaping circuit for amplifying the drive.

It also includes an internal precision oscillator and a constant current control port for 5 Voltage which ensures the consistent pixel point light color height.

These can be added to a full-color panel, a lamp stripe full-color soft lights, led decorative lighting and irregular video indoor/outdoor led screen.

How do WS2812B work?

WS2812B LEDs have an IC built into the LED which allows one-wire interface communication.

This means that you can use one pin on your controller to power several LED’s.

There are 3 pins in the LED strips: the power pin (+ 5V), the ground pin (GND), and the data pin (DIN and DOUT).

The protocol for the transfer of data uses a single NZR communication mode.

The DIN port receives data from the controller after the pixel power-on reset, the first pixel collects initial 24bit data and then send it to the internal data latch, the other data which is reshaped by the internal signal reshaping amplification circuit is sent to the next cascade pixel through the DOUT port.

The signal can be decreased up-to 24bit for each pixel after transmission.

Pixels follow auto reshaping transmission technology so that the pixel cascade number is not limited to the transmission of the signal, it only depends on the speed of transmission of the signal.

WS2812 Wiring Diagram

The WS2812 is a smart LED light source family which integrates the control circuit and the RGB chip into a 5050 part package.

It is an onboard smart digital port lock and signal reshaping inference drive circuit that effectively ensures the color of the pixel point light is HIGH and consistent.

Color-coding by feature of the wires (e.g. red for +, black for –, green for signal) is optional but it helps to avoid mishaps.

A simpler view of the expected wiring is given here.

The actual configuration will include the Data Logging Shield, use the prototyping area for some of the links.

Difference between WS2811, WS2818, WS2812b, WS2813 and WS2815 LED

WS2811 LED:

This LED strip is the old version with an outer IC, much of which is made from flexible strip light DC12v, has just one symbol.

One IC can control 3 LEDs, then these 3LEDs act as a single pixel and at the same time they still change the same color.

The term Cut-able as one pixel per 3LED refers that if you can cut it into 3 LEDs, the light still works.

And for a great amount of time it is fully grown.

WS2818 LED:

It is Almost same as WS2811, but with break-point continuous transmission signal functionality, which ensures that any failure pixel does not impact the pixels below. (Refers to 3 LEDs as one pixel, not LEDs).

In WS2811, the following pixels don’t work if the pixel fails once.

This LED strip is a 3-channel LED driver control circuit with excellent advanced port information hook inside and sign restoring intensification drive circuit inside it.

Incorporate an oscillator of interior accuracy and a programmable 12V voltage steady current control component, which achieves a highly predictable shading effect.

It has solid highlights in the Continuous Transmission Signal Break-point which embraces transmission of double signs.

Without impedance, those signs can work together.

The client may select the principal chip as the control signal info button.

WS2812b LED:

The other kind, besides external IC, is internal IC, which is also called built-in IC or embedded IC. In many cases, they are called WS2812 or WS2812b.

Voltage DC5V (WS2811 and WS2818 is DC12V), individually addressable.

However, they can make more LEDs available in a single meter LED strip, so there are 30leds available, 60leds 144leds per meter powered strip.

On demand, we can also modify 72 led’s per meter or other quantities.

Since WS2812B has 6 legs on 5050, WS2812b has only 4legs, but an alternative parameter is possible for both.

These two have only 3 wire yields, they’re information, anode and they do not have clock ways.

So, they don’t go as quickly as WS2801.

WS2813 LED:

WS2813 is another DC5V built-in IC, WS2813 is an evolutionary version of IC WS2812 which adds the feature of continuous break-point transmission.

The big difference which make it unique is of its bypassing LED property between the two LED strips.

WS2813 is a variant of dual-signal wires, with continuous signal break-point transmission.

That is, if an LED burns in the center of the chain, the circuit stays closed and it still works.

So long as no other adjacent LEDs are disabled, the remaining LEDs can continue to work normally.

But when one LED is broken or burned in a WS2812B strip, then the circuit is broken and the other LEDs in the chain do not work afterwards.

WS2815 LED:

This produces 30led, 60led, and 144led allot lines per meter.

These strips can be created in an inflexible LED strip with aluminum thwarting.

It’s a DC12V chip, not a DC5V, we can also modify 48leds per meter or other quantities as per desired by clients.

Higher voltage means that there is on voltage drop because of having good tolerance.

The drop in voltage results in the decrease of electrical potential along the direction of a current flowing through an electric circuit.

Voltage decreases in the source’s internal resistance, across conductors, across contacts and through connections are undesirable as some of the energy supplied is dissipated.

How to control WS2812b with Adafruit?

The WS2812 Integrated Light Source is the latest advance in the search for a fast, portable and affordable full-color LED.

Red, green and blue LEDs are integrated in a small surface-mount package operated by a single cable, alongside a driver chip.

First switch on the power supply, let the voltage stabilize, then link the pixels (first with GND).

Through individual WS2812 draws up to 60 milliamps white (red + green + blue) at maximum brightness.

However, it is uncommon for all pixels to be switched on this way, in actual use.

How to control WS2812B using Arduino?

Now let’s proceed with using Arduino to control the WS2812B LED array.

There is one important thing that we need to tackle, i.e. the power supply to the plant, before we move further into designing the schematics.

Every single WS2812B LED pixel has three LEDs and one control IC.

So, the current requirement for one-pixel is about 60 mA.

When you have a strip containing 20 WS2812B Addressable LEDs individually, then the total current requirement is 20* 60 mA= 1.2 A.

This is more than Arduino can supply, either via the USB port (which can supply up to 300 mA) or the 5V barrel jack (which can supply up to 900 mA).

Thus, the best way to power up both Arduino and the WS2812B LED Strip, is by using an external 5v supply that can provide sufficient power.

We hope that project’s power supply section is clear, moving to project’s schematics now.

Circuit Diagram:

The picture below shows the relation between LED Strip WS2812B RGB and Arduino UNO.

The Arduino UNO 5V and the LEDs are attached together with the GND (VSS) to an external power supply.

The LED Strip’s DIN pin is attached to Arduino’s Digital IO pin 7 via a 330 resistor.

Required Material:
330 Resistor
WS2812B LEDs
Arduino UNO
5V power supply

Arduino Programming:

To download a supporting library named “FastLead” is the first step of programming Arduino. This library can be downloaded from the link “FastLED Library”

Code:

Conclusion:

This is a simple introduction that how one can control WS2812B with the use of Arduino.

One can implement a wide range of projects if we understand these basics.

How does WS2812 work with Raspberry PI?

It is very easy to wire WS2812 to work with a Raspberry Pi.

The only challenge to tackle is translating the Pi’s GPIO from 3.3V to around 5V for the WS2812 to read.

You can do this level conversion in two ways, either with a basic 1N4001 power diode or with a level converter chip like the 74AHCT125.

Remember that you might be able to get your WS2812 to function without any level conversion, but it isn’t really assured because the data line needs to be at least 0.7* VDD (5 volts), or around 3.5 volts.

The diode method is a simple way to slightly reduce the voltage of the power supply, so that WS2812 can read the 3.3V output of the Pi.

However, you need to handle it with great care while using a diode that can accommodate all the WS2812drawn current.

The WS2812 diode’s cell only manage 1 Amp of continuous current so they are perfect for driving up to about 16 of them at maximum 100% bright white-and about 50 WS2812 if they are all illuminated with different colors.

Also because the WS2812 don’t operate at 5 volts they may be a little dimmer than usual.

A level converter chip like the 74AHCT125 is a better process, as it converts the Pi’s 3.3V output to 5V without limiting the WS2812power.

To work, WS2812 must be linked to GPIO10, GPIO12, GPIO18 or GPIO21!

The basic pin is GPIO18.

Be careful that you can produce only one stripe at a time!

If you have more than one, connect them together and then wire them over a single connection to your Raspberry Pi.

The following wiring diagrams can be used to link your WS2812to your Raspberry Pi.

While using 74AHCT125 converter chip Raspberry wiring be like the following;

Pi GPIO18 to 74AHCT125 pin 1A
Power supply ground to 74AHCT125 ground
74AHCT125 pin 1Y to WS2812 DIN
Power supply ground to 74AHCT125 pin 1OE
Power supply 5V to 74AHCT125 VCC
Power supply ground toWS2812 GND
Power supply 5V to WS2812 5V Power supply

While using 1N4001 diode in Raspberry pi wiring

Power supply ground to WS2812 GND
Pi pin 18 to WS2812 DIN
Power supply ground to Pi ground
Power supply 5V to 1N4001 diode anode
1N4001 diode cathode to WS2812 5V.

When you only power a few pixels, you can use the Raspberry Pi 5V pin to power them out.

Pi GND to WS2812 GND
Pi 5V to WS2812 5V
Pi GPIO18 to WS2812 DIN

When you will be using more than a few pixels, adding an external power source is a smart idea.

Remember that every pixel can draw 60mA so don’t skimp on the power supply!

Note, with no level shifter, the WS2812 can not function directly linked to the Raspberry Pi.

Try adding a level shifter to your project, if you run into problems.

Power supply 5V WS2812 5V
Pi GND to WS2812 GND
Power supply ground to WS2812 GND
Pi GPIO18 to WS2812 DIN

Product and applications of WS2812b LED

Modular Smart Light Panels

Features:

Every smart light panel has 144pcs of individually programmable WS2812 LEDs
Multiple modules can be connected without a frame
3 Different forms of installation, quick & fast deployment & teardown
Unlimited combination to generate countless
No visible wires, all concealed behind
Signal transmission distance up to 120 meters
Built-in anti-interference, resist different types of Smart LED panel scale 170* 160* 35 and weight 200 g

Description:

The purpose of the triangle LED light panel is to ease the implementation of customized programmable LED lighting projects and accelerate them.

The modular panel architecture allows lots of modules to be connected frameless, the pixel interval stays the same, so that the uniformity of the final lighting effects will become excellent.

Unlimited versatile mix of modules means that it can produce various types of lighting effects on the wall or ceiling of the sites.

Creativity will easily come true.

Each LED pixel panel is made of 144pcs of RGB LEDs that are individually programmable, equipped with IC WS2812.

The PWM controller can change 256 gray levels, completely generate 16,777,216 colors, compatible with all existing controllers on the market, the external controllers can easily create DIY lighting effects.

The signal amplification is installed, the distance between the controller and the triangle panel is 80~120 meters, the distance between any two interchangeable smart light panels is 30~50 meters.

The built-in anti-interference makes all smart light wall panels resistant to RF, electromagnetism and interference with the low voltage network.

Applications:

Apart from many useful applications, the following are mentioned very few, where we can use this product.
In Nano leaf alternative for BSB business.
As Rhythm lights panels KTV in nightclub night bar lighting projects.
Numerous shapes by smart light wall panels.

Flexible LED Strip

Features:

WS2812b LED strip is a 3-channel addressable strip with built-in IC, controlled by dedicated LED controllers
One LED as one individually addressable pixel, IC is integrated into the LED, not visible on strips
Less components on strips, easier for installation and bend
Working voltage is DC5V, max 5.5V
Transmission distance is 5 meters between any 2 pixels
Signal is a serial single-wire cascade interface, which is transmitted through one signal lines
PWM controller can adjust 256 gray levels, totally can output 16,777,216 colors

Applications:

KTV nightclub night bar lighting project
TV studio, shows and broadcasting
Cove ambient atmosphere lighting
Outdoor and indoor building façade lighting project
New product release exhibition
Architecture lighting decoration
LED sign Advertising board
Automobile decoration and repacking
Add lighting effect to electronic products
Adafruit, Arduino and Raspberry Pi projects