LED Pixel Chipsets

Updated 12/8/2023: There are a huge amount of pixel chipsets available, it is difficult to keep track of them all. NLED controllers are compatible with additional chipsets that may not be listed. Contact Us to inquire about compatbility.

Most of the chipsets listed in the controller compatibility table have been tested on hardware, some have been inferred as compatible based on the chipset timings found in their datasheets.

All NLED pixel controllers use tight timings specific to the chipset. Tight timings are important for stable use, all timings are taken from the datasheet and tested on actual pixels of that chipset. Additional chipsets may be supported, please Contact Us to ask if one is supported or to request chipset support.

The NLED controller may require a firmware update in order to utilize new chipsets. Visit the Device Firmware Update Webpage for the most recent firmware updates. Or look in the NLED Aurora Control folder /device updates/

More information about utilizing LED pixels can be found on the LED Project Guide.

The information provided here is not guaranteed and may have inaccuracies. Please confirm any specifications with the datasheet provided by the manufacturer. The official datasheets may have mistakes or may be outright wrong and are frequently poorly translated. If you see any mistakes, please Contact Us.

Choosing a Chipset For your Project:
There are many chipsets to choose from, and they are not all equal, some will work better for projects than others. The WS2812 is the most common and cheapest available, but has a low PWM frequency. Lower PWM frequencies create light that appears to strobe/flicker/quiver, especially when the pixels or viewer are moving. This is more prevalent when the LED light intensity is low, and less noticable if the light intensity is near its maximum. Higher PWM frequencies create a much higher quality light with none of the strobe/flicker/quiver issues. Most cameras can 'see' the PWM frequency, lower frequencies can cause banding or other artifiacts in pictures.

Example:
Flow Toy - Hula Hoop, Staff, Poi: These usually utilize P.O.V.(persistance of vision) color sequences, which requires fast updates and fast PWM frequency. APA102 is by far the best choice, the extra cost is worth the quality results.
Projects for dark enviroments(Clubs/Concerts): In dark enviroments the intensity of the LEDs can not be maximum, or they will blind yourself and others. So the light intensity must be lowered, which requires a higher PWM frequency in order to maintain quality light. Any chipset faster than 400Hz is suitable.
Projects For Bright Enviroments: More likely to be able to use full intensity and viewers will be less sensitive to bright lights. Any chipset can be used, some still may be better than others.

Synchronous Chipsets: V+ - GND - CLK - DAT
These chipsets use 2 data lines for communication, clock/CLK and data/DAT. This allows them to accept data at most any rate, much easier and faster to control than asynchronous chipsets. Better suited for tasks like P.O.V.(persistance of vision) projects.

Chipset: PWM Resolution: PWM Frequency: Data Rate: Type: Package: Description:
WS2801 8-Bit (256 levels) 2.5KHz <4Mbs 3 Chan. I.C. SOP-8 Regular SPI, Easiest to control. Voltage over 5 volt causes flicker issues.
LPD8806 7-Bit (128 levels) 4KHz <20MHz 6 Chan. I.C. SOP-16 Lower color resolution, fast.
APA102
"Dotstar"
8-Bit (256 levels) 20KHz <4Mbs RGB 5050, 2020(Dotstar Micro) Fastest PWM Freq, brightness adjustment
APA107 8-Bit (256 levels) (?) 400Hz/9Khz <4Mbs RGB 5050 APA102 compatible
HD107S 8-Bit (256 levels) 26Khz <30Mhz RGB 5050 APA102 compatible
NS107S 8-Bit (256 levels) 26Khz <30Mhz RGB 5050 APA102 compatible
SK9822 8-Bit (256 levels) 4.7KHz <4Mbs RGB 5050 APA102 Compatible
LPD6803 5-Bit (32 levels) ? ? 3 Chan. I.C. SOP-8 Low PWM Resolution
SK9826 16-Bit (65535 levels) 4kHz ? RGB 3535/5050/2020 Highest resolution. Current adjustment
P9813 8-Bit (256 levels) ? 15MHz RGB SOP14 Protocol not well described.
Asynchronous Chipsets: V+ - GND - DAT
These chipsets use a single line for data communication, the timings for data transmission(controller to pixel) must be exact. Each chipset requires specific timings, all NLED pixel controllers are fine tuned with tight timings for each chipset.

Spreadsheet with the timings for most the available chipsets: Download/View

Chipset: PWM Resolution: PWM Frequency: Data Rate: Type: Package: Description:
WS2811 8-Bit (256 levels) 400Hz 800Kbps RGB 3 Chan. I.C.
WS2812, WS2812B
"NeoPixel"
8-Bit (256 levels) 400Hz 800Kbps RGB 5050
WS2812-V4 8-Bit (256 levels) 2KHz 800Kbps RGB 5050 Uses new looser bit timing.
WS2812-2020 8-Bit (256 levels) 2KHz 800Kbps RGB 5050 Uses new looser bit timing.
WS2813 8-Bit (256 levels) 2KHz 800Kbps RGB 5050 Loose timings. Backup data signal.
WS2815 8-Bit (256 levels) 2KHz 800Kbps RGB 5050 12 Volts. Loose timings. Backup data signal.
WS2818 8-Bit (256 levels) 2KHz 800Kbps 3 Chan. I.C. SOP-8 12 Volts. Loose timings. Backup data signal..
LPD1886 12-Bit (4096 levels) 400Hz 16MHz? 3 Chan. I.C. SOP-8 Higher PWM resolution
TM1814 8-Bit (256 levels) 400Hz 800Kbps 4 Chan. I.C. SOP-
SK5812 8-Bit (256 levels) 1.2Khz 833Kbps RGB 5050
SK6812 8-Bit (256 levels) 1.2Khz 833Kbps RGBW or RGB 5050 Similar to WS2812, with RGBW option
SK6812RGBP8 8-Bit (256 levels) 1.2Khz 833Kbps RGB 5050 Pixel with constant current driver for additional LEDs. 5-24 volt
SK6812RGBWP8 8-Bit (256 levels) 1.2Khz 833Kbps RGBW 5050 Pixel and constant current LED driver combined. 5-24 volt
SK6812HV-4P 8-Bit (256 levels) 1.2Khz 833Kbps RGBW 5050 12 volt compatible
SK6805-EC15 8-Bit (256 levels) 1.2Khz 833Kbps RGB 1515 Extremely small package.
SK9816 8-Bit (256 levels) 4Khz 833Kbps RGB 5050 With 16-bit current gain adjustment
SK6813 8-Bit (256 levels) 1.2Khz 833Kbps RGB 5050 Loose timings, Backup data
SK6822 8-Bit (256 levels) 1.2Khz 588Kbps RGB 5050 Loose timings, Backup data
APA104 8-Bit (256 levels) 400Hz 588Kbps RGB 5050
APA106/P9823 8-Bit (256 levels) 400Hz 588Kbps RGB 5mm or 8mm Epoxy Bulb
SK6805 8-Bit (256 levels) 400Hz 833Kbps RGB 5050
SK6805MINI 8-Bit (256 levels) 400Hz 833Kbps RGB 3537 Different protocol than SK6805
UCS1903 8-Bit (256 levels) 400Hz 800Kbps 3 Chan. I.C. SOP-8
UCS2903 8-Bit (256 levels) 1.6KHz(?) 800Kbps 3 Chan. I.C. SOP-8
UCS2904 8-Bit (256 levels) 1.8KHz(?) 800Kbps 4 Chan. I.C. SOP-8
SM16703 8-Bit (256 levels) 1.2KHz 833Kbps Type 2 3 Chan. I.C. SOP-8 5-24 volt compatible
SM16704 8-Bit (256 levels) 1.2KHz 833Kbps Type 2 4 Chan. I.C. SOP-8 5-24 volt compatible
LC8806B 8-Bit (256 levels) 1.2KHz 833Kbps RGB 2020, 5050
GS8206 8-Bit (256 levels) 8KHz 800Kbps 3 Chan. I.C. SOP-8 12-bit gamma, test mode and other features
GS8208 8-Bit (256 levels) 8KHz 800Kbps 3 Chan. I.C. SOP-8 12-bit gamma, odd LED connection
Controller Compatibility Chart: More may be supported, and more will be added. Contact with any compatibility questions. This list is not complete, additional chipsets are supported. Contact Us to verify if a specific chipset is supported.
Chipset: Ion: Mini: Electron: Micro: Quark: Photon: Proton:
WS2801, WS2803 X X X X X X X
APA102, APA107, NS107S, HD107S, SK9822 X X X X X X X
WS2811, WS2812, WS2812B X X X X X X X
WS2813, WS2814 WS2815 X X X X X X X
WS2812-V4, WS2812-2020 X X X X X X X
TM1812 X X X X X
TM1803, TM1804, TM1809, TM1814
SK6805, SK6812(RGB/RGBW) X X X X X X X
SK6812HV-4P, SK6805-EC15, SK5812 X X X X X X X
SK6812RGBP8, SK6812RGBWP8 X X X X X X X
SK9816, SK9814-EC10,
LC8806B X X X X X
LPD1886 X X X X X
LPD8806 X X X X X X X
LPD6803 X X X X X X X
APA104, APA106, P9823, SK6822 X X X X X X
UCS1903, UCS2903, UCS2904 X X X X X
SM16703, SM16704 X X X X X X X
GS8206, GS8208 ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Pixel Controller Axion www.NLEDshop.com
Pixel Controller Proton www.NLEDshop.com
Pixel Controller Photon www.NLEDshop.com
Pixel Controller Duo www.NLEDshop.com
Pixel Controller Quark www.NLEDshop.com
Pixel Controller Mini www.NLEDshop.com
Pixel Controller Ion www.NLEDshop.com
Pixel Controller Electron www.NLEDshop.com
Pixel Controller Micro www.NLEDshop.com
Buy LED Pixels Visit Webpage
Thrid Party Chipset Information External Wiki With Great Info

All NLED pixel controllers use tight timings specific to the chipset. Tight timings are important for stable use, all timings are taken from the datasheet and tested on actual pixels of that chipset.

Additional chipsets may be supported, please Contact Us to ask if one is supported or to request chipset support.

The NLED controller may require a firmware update in order to utilize new chipsets. Visit the Device Firmware Update Webpage for the most recent firmware updates. Or look in the NLED Aurora Control folder /device updates/

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