[dorkbotpdx-blabber] Advice on large LED matrix

[Mykle Hansen]

i'm interested in this question as well.  i've been told
that N shift-registers, combined with an arduino, can
control N^N or so LEDs.  but then a friend sent me this
article about how to control a small LED array with no
shift registers.  it only lets you strobe the LEDs one
at a time, but due to POV it can work, at least up
to some limiting size of grid.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-drive-a-lot-of-LEDs-from-a-few-microcontrol/

i think someone actually showed me this at a dorkbot meeting
a month ago, and i recall staring at it and not getting
it at all.  but now i do.  a handy trick, for sure.

(there's another instructable linked from that one which
goes into the theory of this -- calling it "charlieplexing"
-- and it's a pretty easy read, for electronics:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Charlieplexing-LEDs--The-theory/
)

at any rate, controlling N output lines from one arduino
will be a recurring need for humanity.  if there are
other classic approaches with pros and cons, i'd love to
read a summary.

-m-

On Dec 9, 2008, at 12:16 AMTuesday, dalas v. wrote:

> I'm thinking of building a matrix of RGB LEDs. Brightness is a  
> priority. Size would be maybe 1 or 2 square feet. Battery power  
> would be preferred, but if there is a need for AC power, I'd need to  
> use a prebuilt power supply, because I don't want to attempt making  
> one. Minimum control would be 32 color options (preferably more),  
> maybe you can program 8 - 12 sequences and switch between them?
>
> It seems like the arduino might be able to handle this? It would be  
> my first arduino project. I know that it can control LED matrices  
> and sequences, how would it be for a large matrix and how big /  
> bright can I get?
>
> I'm in the really early stages with this, so any advice or links to  
> kits would be appreciated.
>
> -dalas
>
>
>
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