WS2811 Addressable RGB LED Driver IC SOP-8

WS2811 Addressable RGB LED Driver IC SOP-8 is the industry-standard intelligent control circuit that drives individual RGB LED pixels, enabling complex, vibrant lighting animations with simplicity and scale. This specialized 3-channel constant current driver integrates an intelligent digital port, data latch, and signal reshaping circuit. Therefore, it accepts control data via a single wire and precisely manages 256 levels of brightness for each Red, Green, and Blue channel. You can easily cascade multiple WS2811 chips, consequently building expansive, individually addressable LED matrices and strips that require only three connection points: power, ground, and data. This high-efficiency IC provides the core intelligence for countless dynamic lighting projects.

Key Features:

• Single Data Line Control: The IC uses a unique Non-Return-to-Zero (NZR) communication protocol, enabling control of all channels using just one signal line.
• 24-bit Color Depth: The WS2811 achieves full 24-bit color (8 bits per R/G/B channel) with 256 gray levels per channel, creating over 16 million colors.
• Signal Reshaping: Built-in circuitry automatically reshapes the data signal after each IC, thus ensuring waveform integrity and allowing cascade distances of up to 10 meters between groups without additional amplifiers.
• Constant Current Drive: Features a programmable constant current output (typically 18.5 mA) on the R/G/B channels, stabilizing LED brightness and color regardless of power supply fluctuations.
• High-Speed Data Transmission: Supports data rates up to 800 Kbps, facilitating high frame rates and smooth animation even with extensive LED cascades.

Technical Specifications:

• Control Method: Single-wire NZR Serial Protocol
• Grayscale Levels: 256 levels per channel (Total 16,777,216 colors)
• Logic Supply Voltage (V_DD): 3.5 V to 5.3 V (Typically 5 V)
• Output Voltage (V_OUT Max): 12 V (Designed for 12V LED strips)
• Output Current (I_OL): Typical 18.5 mA per channel
• Data Rate (F_MAX): 400 Kbps (Low Speed) or 800 Kbps (High Speed)
• Operating Temperature: −25°C to +85°C

Mechanical Specifications:

• Package Type: SOP-8 (Surface Mount Device – Small Outline Package)
• Pin Count: 8 Pins
• Mounting: Surface Mount Technology (SMT)
• Durability: Designed for integration into flexible PCBs (LED strips) and custom boards.

Dimensions:

• Body Length (D): ≈ 4.90 mm
• Body Width (E): ≈ 3.90 mm
• Overall Height (A): ≈ 1.65 mm
• Pin Pitch (e): 1.27 mm
• Weight: Extremely low weight, ideal for integration into lightweight lighting solutions.

Pinout and Wiring:

• Pin 1 (OUTR): Connect this pin to the Anode/Cathode of the Red LED channel.
• Pin 2 (OUTG): Connect this pin to the Anode/Cathode of the Green LED channel.
• Pin 3 (OUTB): Connect this pin to the Anode/Cathode of the Blue LED channel.
• Pin 4 (GND): Connect the IC’s ground pin to the system ground.
• Pin 5 (DO): The Data Output pin forwards the reshaped signal to the next cascaded WS2811 IC.
• Pin 6 (DIN): Connect this pin to the data output of the microcontroller or the previous IC’s DO pin.
• Pin 7 (NC): No Connection (Often left unconnected).
• Pin 8 (VDD): Supply the main power voltage for the IC logic (typically 5V).

Datasheet Reference:

• Download WS2811 Addressable LED Driver Datasheet

Commonly Used in:

• Addressable LED Strips: The foundation for popular digital LED tapes (often controlling groups of 3 LEDs in 12V strips).
• LED Matrices and Panels: Used to create large, low-resolution video displays and complex lighting walls.
• Holiday and Architectural Lighting: Essential for highly customizable, dynamic lighting installations.

Applications:

• DIY Electronics and Prototyping: Makers commonly use this chip for Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and other microcontroller-based projects.
• TV Backlighting and Ambilight: Developers integrate it to create reactive lighting systems that match screen content.
• Costume and Prop Lighting: The compact nature and simple control scheme make it perfect for wearables and stage effects.

Equivalent Models:

• WS2812 / WS2812B: Note that this is an integrated LED (the driver IC is inside the LED package), which serves a similar function but utilizes a different physical implementation.
• TM1804 / TM1809: These chips offer similar addressable constant-current driving capabilities and protocols, making them functional cross-references.
• UCS1903: In essence, this driver is electrically and functionally equivalent, offering a similar single-wire control scheme for addressable LED groups.

Package Includes:

• 1 x WS2811 Addressable RGB LED Driver IC SOP-8