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DycoLEDs Driver — Parallax Forums

DycoLEDs Driver

JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,108
edited 2012-08-30 20:33 in Propeller 1
In this thread:

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?141495-WS2801-Driver

Lachlan (@Tubular) pointed out an option to the WS2801-enabled LED strip I was using for a display project; the strip he suggested uses the DycoLED module which is a self-contained RGB LED array and electronics. It's pretty neat. After kindly sending me a sample from his sample I converted the latest version of my WS2801 driver to run the DycoLED module. The first cut is attached. I will spend some time refining before moving to ObEx. Feedback is always appreciated.

The DycoLED uses a 15-bit color definition and like the WS2801 uses two pins for communications (quasi-SPI). My only gripe (and I found others on the 'net with the same complaint) is that the DycoLED module defaults to white on power-up with no command. I may be using the modules in an FX/display project and if I do the circuit will switch the 5v power to the LEDs after the driver is loaded and running.

Update: I shot and posted a very quick video showing the (now attached) demo code. Note that the demo code has the Spin code I used to check connections; this is fine if you just have a couple LEDs and are not doing advanced animation of color/brightness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lm6fUbAzVE
spin
spin
jm_dycoled.spin
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spin
spin
hc-8+_dycoleds_demo.spin
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pdf
pdf
DycoLED.pdf
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Comments

  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,108
    edited 2012-08-08 09:06
    If you downloaded the driver prior to this post, please download again. The coffee just kicked in and I found a really egregious error in my read_rgb() method -- fixed now.
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,703
    edited 2012-08-12 04:50
    Hey Jon, just had a chance to test this with a string of 142 LEDs. Works a treat, thanks very much.

    I agree the all-white startup is not optimal. Might experiment a bit further with pullups/pulldowns on the 2 data lines, but given the data needs to be clocked I don't really expect that make any difference.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-08-12 06:35
    I just did a quick search for "DycoLed". I couldn't find a source.

    Do either of you have a source for these LEDs?

    I just finished wiring 16 RGB LEDs to six 595 shift registers. This method of lighting LEDs gets old fast.
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2012-08-12 06:54
    They look very nice!
    What is the update speed?
    Do you have a link to a seller?
    Thanks in advance,
    Massimo
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,108
    edited 2012-08-12 07:17
    I haven't measured the timing yet but I sure it's under 10us per LED module because my WS2801 driver takes 10us, and this device uses 8 fewer bits per module. I would guess about 7us per module. It's pretty zippy.

    I don't have source for the LEDs; the sample I played with was generously provided by @Tubular. In my web searching for information I came across this company in Germany.
    -- http://www.kirronlightcomponents.com/
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2012-08-12 13:37
    Thanks,
    I found it too, but it looks they don't have the led strips, which are pretty handy.
    I also found unclad WS2801 led strips here:
    http://www.bliptronics.com/item.aspx?ItemID=128
    The price looks good, must check shipping.
    Massimo
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,703
    edited 2012-08-12 16:34
    I'll try and find out today what distributors have stock, and whether there is some way to prevent the all white startup. Failing that it would be easy to design a small inline PCB with P channel FET, either driven by a 3rd i/o pin, or by latching onto the clock signal to switch on the 5v (may need to 'wake' the fet a few mSec before true data)

    In the mean time if anyone wants samples I can carve up my strip for $1/led
  • Little-endianLittle-endian Posts: 91
    edited 2012-08-30 18:38
    Anyone find a supplier for these DycoLED strips? I'm interested in getting some to play with.
  • Little-endianLittle-endian Posts: 91
    edited 2012-08-30 19:01
    Tubular wrote: »
    I'll try and find out today what distributors have stock, and whether there is some way to prevent the all white startup. Failing that it would be easy to design a small inline PCB with P channel FET, either driven by a 3rd i/o pin, or by latching onto the clock signal to switch on the 5v (may need to 'wake' the fet a few mSec before true data)

    In the mean time if anyone wants samples I can carve up my strip for $1/led

    I wouldn't mind purchasing sample if you're still willing to carve up your strip.
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,703
    edited 2012-08-30 19:07
    Little-endian wrote: »
    I wouldn't mind purchasing sample if you're still willing to carve up your strip.

    Sure, how many do you want?

    cheers
    tubular
  • Little-endianLittle-endian Posts: 91
    edited 2012-08-30 20:33
    Tubular wrote: »
    Sure, how many do you want?

    cheers
    tubular

    Thanks for your offer. PM sent.
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