Adafruit NeoPixel NeoMatrix - 64 RGBW - Cool White

Put on your sunglasses before wiring up this LED matrix—an expansive array of 64 eye-blistering RGBW LEDs adorns the NeoMatrix, delivering a dazzling spectrum of configurable color and white light. Arranged in a compact 8x8 configuration, each pixel is individually addressable, controlled with a single microcontroller pin offering 24-bit color versatility.

This Cool White RGBW version combines familiar RGB lighting with a specialized white LED enhanced by a yellow phosphor. Inactive, it resembles an egg yolk; active, it delivers unparalleled brightness, controllable through 8-bit PWM per channel across four channels (resulting in 32-bit color overall). Easily add vibrant and varied color to your projects with simple wiring and two 3-pin connection ports for effortless integration.

Supply 5VDC via the +5V and ground pins, connecting the DIN pin to your microcontroller. Use our NeoPixel Arduino library with digital pin #6 for streamlined programming. Make sure to link a common ground from the power supply to the microcontroller/Arduino. Considering power demands, each LED can draw up to 60mA—potentially a hefty 3.5 Amps per panel when displaying bright white.

For most users, expect between 1-2A per panel, recommending our 5V 2A power supply. Should your project demand greater illumination, these panels are chainable; connect subsequent panels through the DIN and DOUT connections, with shared ground, and power with 5V.

Regardless of numbers, monitor power requirements closely, and plan for a heftier power supply like a 5V 10A if expanding beyond four panels. Note the critical timing-specific protocol requires a real-time microcontroller—compatible with AVR, Arduino, PIC, and mbed systems while incompatible with Linux-based microcomputers. The Neopixel library for Arduino, tailored for assembly, excels with AVR cores. For other cores, available ported driver codes offer further options; an 8MHz or faster processor is recommended.

A comprehensive NeoPixel Uberguide presents steps for utilizing NeoPixels in diverse configurations. Supported by thorough library and sample code, effortlessly integrate with systems like the Arduino UNO, Duemilanove, Diecimila, Flora, Micro, Leonardo, Trinket, Gemma, Arduino Due, and Arduino Mega/ADK across all versions.