CJMCU-123 WS2812 RGB LED Breakout Module

CJMCU-123 WS2812 RGB LED Breakout Module is a highly versatile, addressable lighting solution that integrates a high-brightness RGB LED with a precision control IC into a single, compact package. This module utilizes the industry-standard WS2812 protocol, allowing you to control the color and brightness of each LED individually using only a single digital pin from a microcontroller. Consequently, you can daisy-chain multiple breakout boards together to create complex, vibrant lighting arrays without increasing the complexity of your wiring. Furthermore, the built-in signal reshaping circuit ensures that the signal integrity remains consistent across long chains of modules. Therefore, the CJMCU-123 module serves as an ideal choice for DIY enthusiasts and engineers who need to implement dynamic, programmable visual effects in space-constrained projects.

Key Features:

• Individually Addressable: Each module contains a WS2812 driver IC, which enables 24-bit color depth (8 bits per channel) for over 16 million possible color combinations.
• Single-Wire Control: The device uses a specialized one-wire communication protocol, which significantly reduces the number of GPIO pins required on the host controller.
• Chainable Design: These modules feature easy-to-solder pads for both input and output, allowing you to link dozens of LEDs together in a serial configuration.
• Integrated Control Circuit: The control chip is built directly into the LED housing, resulting in a tiny footprint and improved reliability compared to external driver setups.
• Signal Reshaping: The internal circuit automatically regenerates the digital signal before passing it to the next LED, preventing data corruption in long strings.

Technical Specifications:

• Operating Voltage (V_DD): +3.5 V to +5.3 V
• Input Logic Voltage: −0.5 V to V_DD +0.5 V
• Control Protocol: WS2812 (NRZ Single-wire)
• Data Transfer Speed: 800 Kbps (High-speed mode)
• Color Channels: Red, Green, Blue (8 bits per channel)
• Luminous Intensity: Red (280−450 mcd), Green (600−1100 mcd), Blue (190−350 mcd)
• Operating Temperature: −25°C to +80°C

Mechanical Specifications:

• PCB Material: FR-4 High-Quality Fiberglass
• LED Type: 5050 SMD RGB LED
• Mounting: Solder pads for direct wire connection or pin headers.
• Board Color: Black (Minimizes light reflection for better contrast)

Dimensions:

• Board Diameter/Width: ≈ 10.0 mm
• Total Thickness: ≈ 3.0 mm (including LED and PCB)
• Pad Pitch: Standard 2.54 mm spacing for easy interfacing.

Pinout and Wiring:

• 5V: Connect this pin to the 5 V DC power source.
• GND: Connect to the common ground of your power supply and microcontroller.
• DIN (Data In): Connect to a digital GPIO pin on your microcontroller (e.g., Arduino pin D6).
• DOUT (Data Out): Connect this to the DIN pin of the next CJMCU-123 module in your chain.
• Wiring Note: However, you should always place a 100 nF capacitor across the power pins and a 330−470 Ω resistor on the data line to protect the LED from voltage spikes.

Datasheet Reference:

• Download WS2812 Intelligent Control LED Datasheet

Commonly Used in:

• Arduino and ESP32 Projects: Providing color-coded status indicators or decorative lighting for embedded systems.
• Wearable Electronics: Creating small, glowing accents on clothing or accessories due to the module’s lightweight design.
• PC Modding: Enhancing computer cases with custom, software-controlled RGB lighting effects.

Applications:

• Status Indication: Showing system health or sensor thresholds using a color spectrum.
• Visual Displays: Constructing small matrix displays or light bars for data visualization.
• Architectural Accents: Implementing subtle, programmable lighting in home automation and model-making projects.

Equivalent Models:

• Adafruit NeoPixel Breakout: A functionally identical module featuring the same WS2812B LED and control logic.
• WS2812B-Mini: A smaller package version using 3535 SMD LEDs for even more space-constrained layouts.
• SK6812 Breakout: A common alternative that maintains protocol compatibility however it sometimes offers higher timing tolerances.

Package Includes:

• 1 x CJMCU-123 WS2812 RGB LED Breakout Module