Adafruit NeoPXL8 FeatherWing for Feather M4 - 8 x DMA NeoPixels!

Drive massive NeoPixel installations without blocking your code. The NeoPXL8 FeatherWing for Feather M4 enables 8 concurrent DMA NeoPixel strands from a single Feather M4, with up to 1,750 RGB pixels per strand (14,000 total) — all running in the background via hardware DMA on the ATSAMD51's blazingly fast 120 MHz processor.

The wing handles 3.3 V to 5 V level shifting with an onboard switch-cap converter and includes 100 Ω series resistors on each output to reduce ringing on long wiring runs. For SAMD21-based boards, see the NeoPXL8 FeatherWing for Feather M0, or the standalone NeoPXL8 Friend level shifter board.

Key Features

• 8 DMA NeoPixel Outputs – Drive 8 independent strands simultaneously via hardware DMA on the ATSAMD51's TCC0 timer
• Up to 14,000 Pixels – 1,750 RGB pixels per strand with RAM to spare for your code
• 120 MHz Processor Support – Takes full advantage of the Feather M4's speed for smooth, fast-refresh animations
• Built-In Level Shifting – 3.3 V to 5 V conversion with onboard switch-cap converter
• 100 Ω Series Resistors – Reduces signal ringing on long wiring runs
• Non-Blocking – DMA handles all pixel data output, freeing your code to run simultaneously

Connection Options

Choose your preferred wiring method (solder in the connectors you need):

• 2×8 Header – Ground and 5 V-logic signal pairs for each strand
• 2× RJ-45 Jacks – Ethernet-style connectors with ground and signal per twisted pair (OctoWS2811-compatible pinout)

Pin Mapping

• Output #0: SPI SCK or RX (selectable)
• Output #1: D5 or TX (selectable)
• Output #2: D9 or I2C SCL (selectable)
• Output #3: D6 or I2C SDA (selectable)
• Output #4: Digital #13 (fixed)
• Output #5: Digital #12 (fixed)
• Output #6: Digital #11 (fixed)
• Output #7: Digital #10 (fixed)

Power

NeoPixel power is not routed through the FeatherWing — the PCB copper would be too limiting for the currents involved. Provide 5 V power directly to your NeoPixel strips using terminal blocks or bus bars connected to a dedicated 5 V supply.

Compatible Boards

• Adafruit Feather M4 Express (ATSAMD51)
• Other ATSAMD51-based Feather M4 boards

Ideal For

• Large-scale NeoPixel installations (thousands of pixels)
• Art exhibits and stage lighting
• Multi-strand costume and wearable projects
• Fast-refresh LED effects and animations
• Projects that need to run other code while updating pixels

Package Contents

• 1× Adafruit NeoPXL8 FeatherWing for Feather M4 (connectors not soldered)

Resources

• NeoPXL8 Arduino Library – Library and example code on GitHub
• NeoPixel Uberguide – General NeoPixel wiring and usage guide