WS2812 24-LED ring: specs and pinout
A circular board of individually addressable RGB LEDs driven by WS2812-type controllers over a single data wire. LED type (WS2812 or WS2812B) and count are not documented. The values below come from the WS2812B chip datasheet; the board's exact LED type and count are not documented by a maker sheet.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| LED supply (VDD) in operating conditions | 4.5 V to 5.5 V | source Electrical Characteristics header (p.2) |
| Absolute maximum supply (VDD) | +3.5 to +5.3 V as printed on the sheet | source Absolute Maximum Ratings (p.2) |
| Data input high level (VIH) | 0.7 x VDD min | source Electrical Characteristics table (p.3) |
| Data protocol | Single-wire NZR; 800 kbps; data order GRB, high bit first, 24 bits per pixel | source Features (p.1); Composition of 24bit data (p.4) |
| Colour depth | 256 levels per colour channel (16,777,216 colours) | source Features (p.1) |
| Bit timing | T0H 0.4 us, T1H 0.8 us, T0L 0.85 us, T1L 0.45 us, each +/-150 ns | source Data transfer time (p.3) |
| Reset (latch) time | low for above 50 us | source Data transfer time (p.3) |
| Operating temperature (Topt) | -25 to +80 C | source Absolute Maximum Ratings (p.2; the sheet's row label reads "Operation junction temperature", symbol Topt) |
Power
| Value | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | Chip: 4.5-5.5 V (operating conditions); board wiring not documented | source Electrical Characteristics (p.2); the sheet gives no per-pixel current |
Chip pins
These are the pins of the chip on the module, from the chip datasheet. The module's own header may label or expose them differently.
Pin names are the WS2812B chip pads. The ring board's input and output pads, LED count and LED type (WS2812 or WS2812B) are not covered by an official document.
| Pin | Function | Voltage | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VDD | Power supply LED (chip pad 1) | 4.5-5.5 V | Board pad labels not documented | source PIN function (p.2) |
| DOUT | Control data signal output (chip pad 2) | Chains to the next pixel; board pad labels not documented | source PIN function (p.2) | |
| VSS | Ground (chip pad 3) | 0 V | Board pad labels not documented | source PIN function (p.2) |
| DIN | Control data signal input (chip pad 4) | VIH 0.7 x VDD | Board pad labels not documented | source PIN function (p.2) |
Build with it
Project ideas for the WS2812 24-LED ring. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.
- Colour ring clock: The Uno gives 5 V logic for the data pin, which meets the 0.7 x VDD input level. Check how many LEDs the ring has before choosing the power source. The sheet gives no per-pixel current, so cap brightness in firmware and measure the ring's draw; a USB-powered board is limited to roughly 500 mA, and for more than a handful of pixels at full brightness use a separate 5 V supply (stocked 5 V 2 A adapter) with grounds joined.
- Dial-controlled colour ring: Potentiometer on an analog input, ring data on one pin; the Nano 5 V logic matches the data input level. The sheet gives no per-pixel current, so cap brightness in firmware and measure the ring's draw; a USB-powered board is limited to roughly 500 mA, and for more than a handful of pixels at full brightness use a separate 5 V supply (stocked 5 V 2 A adapter) with grounds joined.
- Button-cycled mood light: One button input and one data line; keep brightness low until the board's current draw is measured. The sheet gives no per-pixel current, so cap brightness in firmware and measure the ring's draw; a USB-powered board is limited to roughly 500 mA, and for more than a handful of pixels at full brightness use a separate 5 V supply (stocked 5 V 2 A adapter) with grounds joined.
Common mistakes
- Driving the data line from a 3.3 V board while powering the LEDs at 5 V: the data input needs 0.7 x VDD (3.5 V at 5 V) to read as high, so use a level shifter or a 5 V board (source: link, Electrical Characteristics p.3)
- Over-volting the supply: the sheet's absolute maximum for VDD is printed as +3.5 to +5.3 V, so power the chip from 5 V, not from a 6 V battery pack (source: link, Absolute Maximum Ratings p.2)
- Sending colours in the wrong order: the data order is GRB, not RGB, with the high bit first (source: link, Composition of 24bit data p.4)
Not covered by the official source
- The sheet lists VDD 4.5-5.5 V for operating conditions but +3.5 to +5.3 V as the absolute maximum; both are shown as printed.
- The listing says '24 Bit' and 'WS2812'; LED count and the exact chip (WS2812 vs WS2812B) are not confirmed.
Sources
- link (Worldsemi WS2812B datasheet; mirror-hosted copy)