1. Description
kidsbits blocks coding 4×2 2812 full color RGB module is fully compatible with kidsbits control board and Lego building blocks.
The module is a smart external control LED light source that integrates control circuit and lighting circuit.
Each LED has the same appearance as a 5050 LED bead, and each component is a pixel point.
The pixel point includes an intelligent digital interface data latch signal shaping and amplifying driving circuit, as well as a high-precision internal oscillator and a 12V high-voltage programmable constant current control part, which effectively ensures that the color of the pixel point light is highly uniform.
The data protocol adopts the single-line return-to-zero code communication mode. After power-on and reset the pixel point, the S pin receives the data transmitted from the controller. And the 24-bit data are extracted by the first pixel and then sent to the data latch inside the pixel point.
LED has the advantages of low voltage drive, environmental protection and energy saving, high brightness, wide scattering angle, good consistency, ultra low power, long life and so on.
You can easily connect it to kidsbits control board for communication using an RJ11 cable.
These sensors and modules are the best to start learning and tinkering with electronics and coding. Plug-and-play! No soldering required! Very good for children to learn the Mixly coding and stimulate their imagination.
2. Technical Parameters
- Interface: EASY plug
- Operating voltage: DC 5V
- Power: 0.2W
- Light source: SMD 5050 RGB
- IC model: 8pcs /WS2811
- Gray level: 256
- Lighting Angle: 180°
- Luminous color: can be set to white, red, yellow, blue, green, etc.
3. Hookup Guide
4. Import kidsbits Library
Begin with the Mixly blocks coding, you should first import the corresponding kidsbits library for those sensor modules.
Connect the control board to your computer using a USB cable.
Then open the Mixly blocks software 0.998, set the board to UNO R3, select your correct COM port. On the upper right corner you can switch the language.
After that, click Import, import the keyes-kidsbits library. Shown below.
If import custom library successfully, you should see the sensor module library shown below.
Click on the display screen block of keyes_kidsbits, you can directly use the corresponding module.
5. Open Code
Open the code folder we provided, or you are able to directly drag the code to Mixly window.
You can click the icon below to open C language Code on the right:
Or click the Code to check out.
6. Code Explanation
Adding code library:
Before compiling the program, check the C language code, you can see that the software needs to call the libraries Wire.h and Adafruit_NeoPixel.h
Note that the Wire.h is an built-in library of Mixly software, so you do not need to add it. But should follow the method below to add the library Adafruit_NeoPixel.h
First step should open the Mixly software package, you will see an Arduino IDE 1.8.5 software. Shown below.
Then open the IDE software, find the libraries folder.
Do remember to copy and paste the Adafruit_NeoPixel folder into Arduino libraries folder.
Libraries added successfully, restart the Mixly software. The library can take effect.
Write the Code:
Restart the Mixly software, follow the method mentioned above, find the module. Shown below.
- Pin: the control pin the module should connected. In the test code, we set the digital pin to 6.
- Count: represents RGB module No. You should see the D1-D8 silkscreen on the module. By setting the corresponding number to set the color brightness of RGB light.
- R G B: an RGB light can be controlled by 3 PWM values. PWM range from 0-255. (R: red light;
- G: green light; B: blue light)
Use 3 PWM values to control the proportion of RGB lights, and finally mix into any color you want.
7. Test Result
Hook it up and upload the code success, eight lights on the module gradually lights up and then gradually turn off, flashing in various colors, repeatedly.
