Gravity: Flexible 16x16 RGB LED Matrix

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

DC barrel jack

A round power connector commonly used for low-voltage DC power supplies, often described by its outer and inner diameters such as 5.5 x 2.1 mm. Matching the barrel size and polarity is important so the plug physically fits and powers the device correctly.

DIN

DIN means data in, the pin where this display receives data from the controller. Connecting DIN to the correct SPI data output pin is needed for the screen to receive pixel and command information.

Gravity

Gravity is DFRobot’s plug-in connector system for sensors, motors and modules, using standard cables to reduce loose jumper wiring. It matters because Gravity-compatible parts can connect directly to these ports, while non-Gravity parts may need adapters or manual wiring.

LED

A light-emitting diode is a small electronic component that lights up when current flows through it in the correct direction. In this kit, LEDs create the flashing effect, so polarity and correct soldering matter for the project to work.

RGB

Short for red, green and blue, usually referring to an LED that can mix those three colours. It matters because controlling an RGB LED teaches how separate outputs combine to create different colours.

servo

A servo is a motor with built-in position control, usually told to move to a specific angle by a control signal. It matters when you need repeatable movement, such as steering, arms, flaps, or linkages, rather than continuous spinning.