Introduction: Trick Hercules - Driver for Digital LEDs

Straightaway overview:

The Magic Alcides module is a converter 'tween the known and simple SPI to the NZR protocol. The mental faculty inputs have a leeway of +3.3 V, so you privy safely connect any microcontrollers operating at potential dro of +3.3 V.

The use of the SPI protocol to control member LEDs is an innovative approach among current solutions, such As ready-made libraries for Arduino. However, IT allows switching to any platform regardless of the microcontroller fellowship (so much as ARM: STM / Cypress tree PSoC, Snort Private detective, AVR, PIC, Arduino) and regardless of the programing language (e.g. C, Arduino C ++, Python or another that supports SPI protocol). This approach to programming whole number LEDs is extremely tiro-friendly as all you need is knowledge of the SPI protocol.

MH module also allows several modes of examination digital LED strips, including testing the coloration order in the rectifying valve (RGB, BGR, RGBW, etc.), testing the entire strips or displays (sprouted to 1024 LEDs).

Step 1: Why Am I Working on the Magic Hercules Module?

I have been workings with integer LEDs much as WS2812, WS2815 or SK6812 for a long time, which I usually call Magic LED.

I time-tested many strips, rings and displays (even my own) settled connected Magic LED (even with RGBW type). I misused Arduino, Nucleo (with STM), Raspberry Pi and my have boards with AVR microcontrollers.

Regardless of the weapons platform, writing a program to control witching LEDs is difficult (due to the need for NZR protocol software), unless you are victimisation made libraries that make it easy, but still not fully optimal in price of code usage, interrupt responses, or memory use, and single work on specific platforms (porting them to e.g. from Raspberry to AVR microcontrollers is impossible).

Due to the fact that I ofttimes use various platforms, I had the need for the syllabu codification to be as compatible Eastern Samoa possible with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Gir / STM (Nucleo) or AVR - especially when it comes to lighting effects.

I accept been running on the youtube channel for a age and I get prepared more than indefinite guide programming digital diodes in C oral communicatio for AVR microcontrollers (just so far only in Polish for now). I often have impinging with beginners who struggle with programming conjuring trick LEDs. Of course of instruction, both, depending connected the platform, choose ready libraries for their one-prison term projects. Yet, many people search other solutions Oregon try to learn the secrets of computer programming and I am one of them.

Step 2: SPI to NZR Conversion

I decided to prepare a faculty that wish do the blasphemous turn for the user using the NZR communications protocol. The module that testament act SPI to NZR converter and just look-alike SPI, can be used on any platform with ease. The screenshot above shows the spiritual rebirth of SPI signals to NZR communications protocol in the Magic Hercules module.

Step 3: Conjuring trick Heracles Module As Digital LED Strip Quizzer

When copulative digital LEDs to different systems, one should remember about the pat electromotive force tolerance for different microcontrollers. Most of the I / O pins of ARM microcontrollers work in the +3.3 V standard, while the AVR microcontrollers work in the TTL standard. Due to this, the input pins of the Magic Hercules faculty have a tolerance of +3.3 V, so they can atomic number 4 safely connected to eg a Raspberry P or any ARM settled microcontroller powered +3.3 V.

As I mentioned before, I often work with polar types of member LEDs. Depending connected the manufacturer, individual colours in the LEDs toilet be in contrasting positions, e.g. RGB, BGR, GRB, RGBW, GRBW, etc. Information technology's not uncommon for the manufacturer's documentation to mention the RGB sequence, but it actually looks different. I have equipped the Hercules module with a color sequence test so that in that respect is no problem with quickly figuring out how to write a program for the redress color order. Several additional functions of the tester allow you to quickly check whether the digital LED denudate works at every last, whether all the colors in for each one LED across the strip (up to 1024 LEDs!) Are working correctly (none numb pixels). And all this without conjunctive a microcontroller and writing any program.

Step 4: Magic Hercules Module - New Universal Resolution for Digital LEDs

I don't consider there was such a thing yet, to ascendance digital LEDs using a simple and mutual SPI protocol, which can be operated on any platform or family of microcontrollers.

Of course, at that place are many ways to command digital LEDs, some are more optimal and others are less optimal. The Magic Alcides faculty is another pick and very practical for Maine. I think that someone may alike this unusual solution. I recently took off on the crowdfunding platform - kickstarter, where I prepared a broader description of the Magic Herakles module in several videos, including how easy it is to work with it on Arduino, Nucleo (STM), Raspberry Private detective and on AVR and Moving-picture show microcontrollers. If you would like to support the Magic Alcides project, check this out:

My Magic Hercules module project on kickstarter

I prepared a program in C spoken language - a simple stargate effect, which is settled happening table operations and sequent sending of the buffer chiefly grommet. Thanks to the Trick Hercules faculty, I was able to easily transfer the source code to other languages and platforms - check the next stairs - source codes.

Step 5: Magic Hercules Module With Atmega32 and C

Telecasting containing a simplified plot, connection presentation connected ATB 1.05a (AVR Atmega32), source encrypt (in Eclipse C/C++ IDE) and the inalterable core in the form of a stargate light effect.

Unite to video on youtube

Tone 6: Magic Hercules Module With Arduino and Arduino C++

TV containing a easy diagram, link presentation on Arduino 2560 board, source code in Arduino IDE and the final force in the form of a stargate perch effect.

Join to picture happening youtube

Whole step 7: Magic Hercules Module With Photograph and C

Video containing a simplified diagram, connexion presentation on ATB 1.05a with PIC shield (PIC24FJ64GA004 on display board), origin code in MPLAB and the concluding effect in the form of a stargate pastel effect.

Link up to video on youtube

Step 8: Magic Hercules Module With Raspberry Pi and Python

Video containing a simplified plot, connection presentation on Boo Pi 4, source code in Python and the unalterable effect in the form of a stargate floodlit effect.

Link to video on youtube

Step 9: Magic Hercules Module With ARM - STM32 Nucleo and C

Video containing a easy diagram, connection presentation on STM32 Nucleo board, seed code in STM32CubeIDE and the final result in the form of a stargate light effect.

Link to video on youtube

Step 10:

I imagine MH can be an extremely beginner-friendly module, regardless of the platform and language they use. It is sufficiency to know the well-famed SPI protocol, and the opening to start checking whether the extremity LED deprive works at complete and what color sequence it has is only a advantageous.

If you want to take part in my projection on kickstarter - check this link:

My Magical Hercules module project on kickstarter

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