RGB Matrix Backpack

From Hackstrich
Revision as of 00:51, 27 September 2010 by SarahEmm (talk | contribs) (Updating to reflect today's research/design work.)

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.

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 (single one, switched with MOSFETs or BJTs? or separate switchable ones?
  • Being able to plug them together in a 2D matrix would be awesome