Key Features:
- Great upgrade NeoPixel users but want something even better
- Push data much faster than with the NeoPixel 800 KHz protocol with higher PWM refresh rates
- No specific timing required
- Hardware SPI support is not required making them excellent for use with any microcontroller or microprocessor
- Send data to the pixels at up to 32MHz clock rate
These fancy DotStar LEDs use generic 2-wire SPI, so you can push data much faster than with the NeoPixel 800 KHz protocol. You can set the color/brightness of each LED to 24-bit color (8bits each RGB). Each reads LED incoming color data on the input pins, and then shifting the previous color data out on the output pin. By sending a long string of data, you can control an infinite number of LED, add or remove what you like. Built in PWM lets you set the color once so you can stop talking to the strip and it will continue to PWM all the LEDs for you. Unlike NeoPixels, these LEDs have 2 wires for sending data - one clock pin and one data pin - so you need two pins, not one, to control DotStars. Use any processor speed or type to control these strips, you don't have to worry about being careful with the timing because the clock and data is separate.
Technical specs (for the strips):
Width (with weatherstripping): 0.55"
Width (w/o weatherstripping): 0.5"
Length: 0.5 meter strip
Thickness (with weatherstripping): 0.16"
144 LEDs/meter
Pixel pitch: 0.275" between LEDs
Operating temperature: -40°C - 40°C
Storage temperature: -10°C - 50°C
Technical specs (for the LEDs):
Light source: Epistar 5050 SMD LEDs
LED Brightness: Red ~600mcd, Green ~500mcd, Blue ~150mcd
Beam angle: ~160°
Max current draw per RGB LED: ~60mA (20mA max per LED)
Strips come with 4 solder points per segment, but the arrangement may vary depending on the supplier, so please check when soldering/powering!