Difference between revisions of "RGB Matrix Backpack"

From Hackstrich
(Doh, need an LDO not an LM317.)
(Cancelling this project as the SparkleShiny does this now!)
 
(2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
  
 
== Project Status ==
 
== Project Status ==
Revision 1 board assembled, troubleshooting and writing code now.
+
2012-03-14: Jammies is releasing the SparkleShiny which does everything this was going to plus more.  Cancelling this project.
 +
2010: Revision 1 board assembled, troubleshooting and writing code now.
  
 
== Rough Notes ==
 
== Rough Notes ==
Line 17: Line 18:
 
* Constant current regulator not implemented properly, output should be on the far side of the current sense resistor, not the near side
 
* Constant current regulator not implemented properly, output should be on the far side of the current sense resistor, not the near side
 
* Constant current regulator uses an LM317 (3V dropout) which won't work for the green/blue LEDs because they need 3.3v max
 
* Constant current regulator uses an LM317 (3V dropout) which won't work for the green/blue LEDs because they need 3.3v max
 +
* The MOSFETs are a huge pain to solder properly, and there's lots of free board space available for larger ones
  
[[Category:Current Projects]]
+
[[Category:Cancelled Projects]]
[[Category:Status/Waiting for Parts]]
 

Latest revision as of 12:55, 14 March 2012

The RGB Matrix Backpack will be a small controller board to attach to 8x8 RGB LED matrices. It will accept input via SPI or I2C and control the display.

Project Status

2012-03-14: Jammies is releasing the SparkleShiny which does everything this was going to plus more. Cancelling this project. 2010: Revision 1 board assembled, troubleshooting and writing code now.

Rough Notes

  • Going to use the PIC18F65K22 as it will drive all the pins needed directly (no muxes or anything) and is <$5 in single qty. Cheaper than using multiplexers and more flexible this way.
    • Also I haven't used PICs in any projects in ~5 years, so I want to try them out again :)
  • Cathode/low side (columns) will be N-channel MOSFETs.
    • Which is nice because there are 24 columns to drive, but only 8 rows. Cheaper components on the columns is handy.
  • Anode/high side (rows) should be a constant current source with P-channel MOSFETs.
  • Being able to plug them together in a 2D matrix would be awesome
  • They plug into a 1D matrix natively, and there's a cable interface to link multiple 1D rows together into a 2D display

Revision 1 Notes

  • Silkscreen on inter-board connectors is incorrect on some
  • Constant current regulator not implemented properly, output should be on the far side of the current sense resistor, not the near side
  • Constant current regulator uses an LM317 (3V dropout) which won't work for the green/blue LEDs because they need 3.3v max
  • The MOSFETs are a huge pain to solder properly, and there's lots of free board space available for larger ones