GTC RASPBERY PI LED 64LED MATRIX

SKU: GTC RASPBERY PI LED 64LED MATRIX

BRAND: Raspberry


8x8 LED Matrix with MAX7219 Chip for Raspberry PI Model B RPI B+ and can drive 64 LEDS Through Serial Commands via the 4-pin SPI Interface

Overview

Each IO can control 1 x LED, so the matrix shield can control 35-LED; Uses LED constant current control chip, can use SPI interface of Raspberry Pi(3 x IO+2), so it can control 64-LED.

It's a bit of troublesome to use LED lattice screen on Raspberry Pi due to the limited IO number of Raspberry Pi. If each IO controls one LED, then it can control 35 LED at most.

However, by utilizing constant current control chip made exclusively for LED, we can control 64 LED only by occupying SPI interface(three IO+ two enable ) of Raspberry Pi, thus turning LED lattice drive into reality.

Features

The MAX7219 does all the control and refresh work for you in driving either an 8x8 matrix display or 8 x 7-segment displays (usually these also have a dot so its really an 8-segment display) - 64 LEDs total. All you have to do is send it serial commands via the 4-pin SPI interface and it will auto-magically take care of the rest. Wiring is simplified as well, you only need to set the current level for all LEDs with a single resistor instead of 8 and you can also dim the entire display digitally. It's a thru-hole chip so you can use it in any breadboard, perfboard or other project, although if you're soldering it in, we suggest using a socket.

The Arduino playground has a nice set of tutorials introducing the MAX7219 and 8x8 LED matrices

Specification

  • Connects with Raspberry Pi B/B+
  • Driver chip : MAX7219
  • Matrix type : 8x8 cathode
  • Dimensions : 6.5 cm x 3.5 cm x 2.9 cm
  • Weight : 28g