12-Bit WS2812 5050 RGB LED Circular Development Board

The 12-Bit WS2812 RGB LED Circular Development Board is a compact and vibrant solution for adding captivating lighting effects to your projects. This board features twelve individually addressable WS2812B 5050 RGB LEDs, also popularly known as “NeoPixels,” arranged in a clean circular pattern. Each LED incorporates a built-in driver IC, allowing you to control the color and brightness of every single LED using just one digital signal pin from your microcontroller. Engineers and hobbyists love this module for its simplicity in wiring and the incredible flexibility it offers in creating complex, full-color animations, making it an essential component for wearable tech, artistic displays, and interactive light shows.

Key Features:

• Individually Addressable LEDs: Control the color (24-bit depth) and brightness of all 12 LEDs independently from a single data pin.
• Daisy-Chainable Design: You can effortlessly connect multiple rings together; simply wire the DO (Data Out) pin of one ring to the DI (Data In) pin of the next, controlling hundreds of LEDs sequentially.
• High Brightness 5050 RGB: Utilizes bright, standard 5mm x 5mm surface-mount RGB LEDs, ensuring your light displays are highly visible.
• Built-in Driver IC: The integrated WS2812 controller chip handles all the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and color shifting, simplifying your code and reducing microcontroller overhead.
• Standard Microcontroller Compatibility: Works seamlessly with popular platforms like Arduino, ESP32, and Raspberry Pi, requiring minimal external components.

Technical Specifications:

• LED Chip: WS2812B (integrated RGB LED and control IC)
• LED Type: 5050 SMD RGB
• LED Quantity: 12 LEDs
• Operating Voltage: DC 5V
• Data Protocol: Single-wire digital communication (Non-return-to-zero – NRZ)
• Color Depth: 24-bit color (8-bit for R, G, B)
• Max Current Consumption: Approximately 60 mA per LED at full brightness (Total: ~720 mA)

Mechanical Specifications:

• Board Shape: Circular (Ring) PCB.
• Material: High-quality PCB with component marking.
• Mounting Holes: Typically includes multiple mounting holes for securing the ring.
• Connectors: Standard 3-pin or 4-pin connection pads for soldering or pin headers.

Dimensions:

• Outer Diameter: ~50 mm (Varies slightly by manufacturer)
• Inner Diameter: ~35 mm (Varies slightly by manufacturer)
• Board Thickness: ~1.6 mm

Pinout and Wiring:

• VCC (5V): Power supply input (Connect to 5V from the microcontroller or external power supply).
• GND: Ground connection.
• DI (Data In): Connect this pin to a digital I/O pin on your microcontroller. This is where you send the control signal.
• DO (Data Out): Output data pin, used to connect to the DI pin of the next daisy-chained ring or strip.
• Wiring Note: Always connect VCC and GND first. If using an external power supply, ensure the grounds of the ring and your microcontroller are connected together. Use a library like FastLED or Adafruit NeoPixel for easy control.

Datasheet Reference:

• Download WS2812B Datasheet

Commonly Used in:

• Maker Projects: The core component for creating custom lighting and visual feedback.
• Cosplay and Wearables: Integrates easily into clothing, props, and accessories due to its low power and size.
• Educational Kits: Used to teach students about digital data protocols and light control.

Applications:

• Status Indicators: Display connection status, battery levels, or sensor readings with distinct colors.
• Clocks and Timers: Create unique circular clock faces or countdown timers.
• Interactive Lighting: Build ambient lighting that reacts to sound, motion, or other sensor inputs.
• LED Art and Jewelry: Design dazzling light-based artistic displays.

Equivalent Models:

• SK6812: An alternative RGB LED with similar protocol, sometimes offering dedicated White channels (RGBW).
• APA102 (DotStar): Uses a two-wire protocol (Data and Clock), which offers faster refresh rates and is better for high-speed animations.

Package Includes:

• 1 x 12-Bit WS2812 5050 RGB LED Circular Development Board