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Notify me when its in stockDotStar LEDs utilize a 2-wire SPI protocol, allowing for faster data transmission than the NeoPixel's 800 KHz protocol, and it doesn't require specific timing. They also offer much higher PWM refresh rates, enabling features like Persistence of Vision (POV) and reduced flicker, especially at low brightness levels.
Similar to NeoPixels, DotStar LEDs are 5050-sized LEDs embedded with a microcontroller. You can set the color/brightness of each LED to a 24-bit color (8 bits for red, green, and blue). Each LED acts like a shift register, reading incoming color data on input pins and then shifting previous color data out on the output pin. By sending a long data string, you can control an infinite number of LEDs – just chain more together or cut off unwanted LEDs at the end. PWM is integrated into each LED chip, so once you set the color, you can stop talking to the strip, and it will continue PWMing all the LEDs for you.
However, unlike NeoPixels, DotStar LEDs require 2 wires (input and output) for data transmission – a clock pin and a data pin. This means you'll need two pins to control DotStars. Since the clock and data are separate, you can use any processor speed or type to control these strips, and you don't have to worry about timing. Hardware SPI support is helpful but not necessary, making them compatible with various microcontrollers and microprocessors, including Arduino, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, Propeller, SparkCore, and any 'raw' microcontroller/microprocessor. It's easy to port the library, and you can send data to the pixels at up to 32 MHz.
Another advantage of DotStars is their high PWM rates. You only need to set the 24-bit color data once for each pixel LED, and the built-in chip handles the PWMing for red, green, and blue. NeoPixels have a PWM rate of 400 Hz, which works well but can exhibit noticeable flicker at lower brightness levels and when the strip is moving. DotStars have a 20 KHz PWM rate, ensuring smooth color blending even when the strip is in motion.
The strip is made of flexible PCB material and comes with a weather-resistant casing. You can easily cut it with wire cutters, as there are cut lines every 1 LED. Solder to the 0.1" copper pads, and you're ready to go.
To power these strips, you should use a 5V DC power supply. Do not exceed 6V, or you may damage the entire strip.
If you're using our DotStar library, you'll need to change the initializer to specify which one you're using. Check the tutorial for details! The LED colors are otherwise the same; you just need to send the data in a slightly different order.
Note : Strips come with 4 solder points per segment, but this arrangement may vary depending on the supplier, so please verify during soldering/powering.
You can order the Adafruit DotStar Digital LED Strip - Black 144 LED/m - 0.5 Meter product from the Adafruit category at SAMM Market with competitive prices, same-day shipping, and fast delivery.
