Digital LED strips
Spectoda supports digital LED strips through the NEOPIXEL and DOTSTAR IO types.
Overview
Section titled “Overview”- Addressable LED chips: each pixel (LED) can be controlled individually.
- Multiple protocol families:
- NEOPIXEL (WS2812, SK6812 and similar chips),
- DOTSTAR (APA102 and similar chips).
- Spectoda logic support: animations, segmentation, variables and events defined in Studio.
- Strong technical experience: the Spectoda team has long-term experience with digital LED strip projects at larger scale.
NEOPIXEL
Section titled “NEOPIXEL”NEOPIXEL is an IO type for WS2812, SK6812 and compatible chip families.
- Simple wiring with one data line.
- Wide availability of LED strips and LED modules.
- Support for RGB and RGBW variants.
Communication direction
Section titled “Communication direction”- Output - the controller sends data to the LED strip.
- Input - not supported, because LED strips do not send data back.
Supported variants
Section titled “Supported variants”| Variant | Colour order | T1 (ns) | T2 (ns) | T3 (ns) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WS2805 | GRB|RB | 250 | 400 | 250 |
| WS2811 | BRG | 380 | 1220 | 380 |
| WS2812 | GRB | 250 | 625 | 375 |
| WS2812B | GRB | 250 | 625 | 375 |
| WS2812D | RGB | 380 | 1220 | 420 |
| WS2813 | GRB | 250 | 625 | 375 |
| WS2814 | WRGB | 300 | 300 | 600 |
| WS2815 | GRB | 250 | 400 | 250 |
| SK6812 | GRBW | 300 | 300 | 600 |
| GS8208 | BGR | 400 | 450 | 450 |
| APA106 | RGB | 350 | 1010 | 350 |
DOTSTAR
Section titled “DOTSTAR”DOTSTAR (APA102 and compatible variants) is an IO type for more advanced digital strips.
- Uses two lines (data + clock).
- More stable signal transmission over longer distances.
- Higher maximum refresh rate, which makes animations smoother.
Communication direction
Section titled “Communication direction”- Output - the controller generates both the data and clock signal.
- Input - not supported.
Wiring limitations
Section titled “Wiring limitations”- NEOPIXEL: limited cable length between the controller and strip. Up to 5 m is recommended; longer distances usually require signal amplifiers.
- DOTSTAR: more stable over longer distances thanks to the clock line.
- Pixel count depends on the controller. Compatible products are listed here.
- LED strip power must be handled separately. The controller only carries the data signal.