{"title":"Adafruit Pixel Trinkey - USB Key for NeoPixel / DotStar Driving","handle":"adafruit-pixel-trinkey-usb-key-for-neopixel-dotstar-driving-ada5953","url":"/products/adafruit-pixel-trinkey-usb-key-for-neopixel-dotstar-driving-ada5953","description":"The Adafruit Pixel Trinkey is a tiny USB microcontroller board purpose-built for driving NeoPixel (WS2812, SK6812) and DotStar (APA102) addressable LEDs directly from your computer. It plugs into any USB-A port and provides screw terminal connections for solder-free wiring to your LED strips, rings, or grids.\n\nPowered by an ATSAMD21 with 32 KB of SRAM, the Pixel Trinkey can drive thousands of pixels. It supports Arduino, CircuitPython, and Windows 11's built-in Dynamic Light Control. A computer USB port provides up to 1A — enough for roughly 150 pixels at moderate brightness. For larger installations, connect an external 5V power supply to the LED strip and share the ground connection.\n\nKey Features\n\n\nATSAMD21E18 Processor – 48 MHz 32-bit Cortex M0+ with 256 KB Flash and 32 KB RAM\n\nUSB-A Plug – Plugs directly into any USB port; appears as serial console, MIDI device, HID keyboard/mouse, or disk drive\n\nScrew Terminal Block – 4 ports (5V, Data, Clock, GND) for solder-free wiring with 18–26 AWG wire\n\nDual LED Protocol Support – Drive NeoPixels (1-wire) or DotStars (2-wire data + clock); NeoPixels can run two independent strands\n\nBuilt-in Level Shifting – Outputs 5V logic for reliable LED driving\n\nOn-Board RGB NeoPixel – Status indicator LED for feedback\n\nJST SH 3-Pin Connector – Extra GPIO (pin D4) for adding buttons, potentiometers, or IR receivers\n\nUSB 5V Monitoring – Resistor divider lets you monitor the USB power line voltage\n\nReset Button – Restart code or enter bootloader mode\n\n\nIdeal For\n\nDriving NeoPixel and DotStar LED strips, rings, and matrices from a computer\nDesktop ambient lighting and PC case lighting\nWindows 11 Dynamic Light Control setups\nQuick LED prototyping without breadboards or soldering\n\n\nPackage Contents\n\n1× Adafruit Pixel Trinkey (assembled with screw terminals and JST SH connector)\n\n\n\nNote: NeoPixel/DotStar LEDs and wiring are sold separately. For installations exceeding ~150 pixels, use an external 5V power supply with a shared ground connection.\n","vendor":"Adafruit","product_type":"physical","in_stock":false,"options":[],"variants":[{"id":1022,"title":"Default Title","sku":"AF-5953","mpn":"ADA5953","price":19.75,"compare_at_price":0.0,"on_sale":false,"in_stock":false,"available_quantity":0,"option1":"Default Title"}]}