Adafruit
Medium 16x32 RGB LED matrix panel
A 16×32 RGB LED matrix panel with 512 individually controllable LEDs at 6 mm pitch. Two IDC connectors on the back (input and output) allow panels to be dais...
A 16×32 RGB LED matrix panel with 512 individually controllable LEDs at 6 mm pitch. Two IDC connectors on the back (input and output) allow panels to be daisy-chained for larger displays. Driven at a 1:8 scan rate using 12 digital pins and a 5V supply.
These panels are designed for high-speed processors and do not include built-in PWM. On an Arduino Uno, you can achieve 12-bit colour (4096 colours) at about 20% CPU usage. For larger or smoother displays, use a 32-bit microcontroller with the Protomatter library.
Specifications
- Resolution – 16×32 pixels (512 RGB LEDs)
- Pixel Pitch – 6 mm
- Scan Rate – 1:8
- Data Interface – 12 digital pins (6 data + 6 control) via IDC connector
- Power – 5V DC, up to 2 A per panel
- Chainable – Output IDC connector for daisy-chaining panels
Resources
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- IDC connector
- An IDC connector is a ribbon-cable connector commonly used to carry many signals in a neat, keyed cable. On LED matrix products, it matters because it lets you connect panels with standard matrix cables instead of wiring each signal separately.
- 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.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a chip that runs your program and controls connected inputs and outputs. For this product, it is the part that reads buttons and sensors, drives the display and speaker, and communicates over Bluetooth.
- PWM
- Pulse Width Modulation is a way for a digital pin to simulate variable output power by switching on and off very quickly. It matters for controlling things like LED brightness, motor speed, or servo-style signals from a microcontroller pin.
- 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.
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Components
Displays & Screens
Related Tutorials
Free guides on learn.littlebird.com.au
