Introduction to RGB Lighting

Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane Mini 2011

Created by Fasteddy

AUSCHRISTMASLIGHTING.COM

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IntroductionThis presentation is a basic introduction to using colour changing lights (RGB), it shows examples of different types of lights available for use and explains the basic control of these lights.

• What is RGB Lighting• Control of RGB Lighting• Differences in RGB Lighting• RGB Lighting – SPI Control• SPI Protocols and ICs• Types of RGB LEDs used• Types of RGB Packages• RGB Strings• RGB Strips• RGB Modules• RGB Floods and Spot Lights• Other RGB Lighting

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What is RGB Lighting• RGB stands for R = Red, G = Green and B = Blue• RGB lighting is used to create any colour by mixing these colours

together. • RGB lighting uses 3 channels for control by mixing varying

percentages of intensities of each colour, which enable us to produce many thousands to millions of colours

• RGB lighting comes in many different forms and packages which are used for lighting up our Christmas displays

• Light is produced in wavelengths for each individual colour

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Control of RGB Lighting• There are 2 main types of control for RGB lighting used

3 Channel DC control

This method of control uses 3 channels to light a

length/section of RGB lighting

SPI Data control

This method of control uses a data stream to communicate to each individual 3 channel RGB light

DC ControllerCH1 CH2 CH3 Supply

+ - + - + - + -

3 channel RGB Lights all controlled together

Common Anode (+)DC supply from power supply

Data IN (communication data)

Red channelGreen channelBlue channel

SPI ControllerData IN

(communication data)

DC supply from power supply

Data Clock + - Supply

Each RGB light is controlled individually

Data LineClock Line Note: some types of communications do not require the clock line

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Differences in RGB LightingNon digital 3 channel

Digital SPI control

Digital SPI control

Digital SPI Control

Non digital 3 channel

Non digital 3 channel

The difference between a non digital 3 channel light and a digital SPI controlled light is that there is a little black IC (integrated circuit) on each SPI controlled light as shown.

This allows RGB control of each light without having additional wires going to each light.

The digital SPI light is turned on by receiving the appropriate data that then controls the level of red, green and blue light

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RGB Lighting – SPI Control• SPI stands for Serial Peripheral Interface Bus which is a synchronous

serial data link standard named by Motorola that can operate in full duplex mode

• Data is sent along the line, the first light (node) accepts the first piece of data, then removes that data and then regenerates the data signal before passing on the remaining data to the second light and so forth

• The lights are not individually addressed but instead cascade the command/data to the next IC

SPI ControllerData sent out from controllerRed – Green – Blue – White

Data sent out from 1st nodeGreen – Blue – White

Data sent out from 2nd nodeBlue – White

Data sent out from 3rd nodeWhite

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SPI Protocols and ICs• There are several different types of SPI protocols and IC chips

that are used for Digital SPI control. • There are a few things that must be understood when selecting

the type of IC chip and SPI control• Bit level: The higher the control bits the more colour and smoother fading

that can be produced – 5 bit: 32 steps per colour (32x32x32 = 32768 colours)– 8 bit: 256 steps per colour (256x256x256 = 16777216 colours)– 12 bit: 4096 steps per colour (4096x4096x4096 = 68719476736

colours)– Note: DMX only supports 8 bit output so a 12 bit chip will only run 256 steps per colour

but a 12bit chip will allow for dimming curves to give improved dimming

• Output control: – Constant Current: Ensures that the correct current is maintained. LEDs

are current devices and are better controlled with constant current– Constant Voltage: Ensures that the correct voltage is maintained.

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SPI Protocols and ICs cont

• 12VDC or 5VDC power: The lower the voltage the higher the possibility of voltage drop affecting the lights. 1 volt drop is a much higher percentage of 5 VDC than it is with 12vdc. Also current requirement are less with higher voltages.

• 1 or 2 wire communication: Generally this should not have an effect on performance.

3 wire digital strip 4 wire digital string

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SPI Protocols and ICs cont

• There are 3 main types of SPI communications and ICs that are used within the community.

• LPD6803 IC – 5 Bit 4 wire – constant current control• WS2801 IC – 8 bit 4 wire – constant current control• TM1804 IC – 8 bit 3 wire – constant voltage control• 3001 IC – 12 bit 3 wire – constant current control

• Each is available in different packages and voltages• There are others also available like the D705, SD 600 but

support for these is either minimal or non existent. Future support for these lights are currently being looked into.

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This IC can also come in constant current control

Currently there is minimal support for this chip

Types Of RGB LEDs Used• There are a few different types of LEDs used in the

construction of RGB strings, strips & modules. Flood lights tend to use a wide variety of LED types

5050 RGB LED – This is a surface mounted LED that shines light in one direction normally at an angle of 120 to 140 degrees. It has great light intensity and great colour mixing properties.The name refers to the dimension of 5.0 x 5.0 millimetres

8mm RGB LED – This LED is more closely based on the traditional LED. It has Great light intensity and colour mixing properties. The name refers to the size of the LED

5mm Single Colour LED – This LED is used in groups of 3 with individual LED colours of Red, Green and Blue. The light intensity is slightly lower with a poor colour mixing if viewed close up. But modules fitted with these are generally much cheaper than using 5050 LEDs

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Types of RGB packages• There are several different types of RGB lighting packages that

can be used, the 4 main types are:• Strings• Strip• Modules• Floods & Spot Lights

• There are many other types of RGB lighting arrangements available to suit your requirements.

• Each type of light package can be used in different ways to create different effects.

• Most packages come in both non digital 3 channel and digital SPI control

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RGB Strings• RGB strings are some what similar to traditional Christmas

string lights • These have a much higher light output than traditional LED

string lights• They are available in 5vdc or 12vdc, 5vdc being the best

voltage for these lights as 12vdc requires a high voltage drop to drive the LED thus making it less efficient

• Quality varies greatly especially with the level of weather protection and UV resistance. Cheaper strings may need additional work to be completely weather resistant as their primary design was for use in billboards and signage.

• High quality commercial strings are also available from a few vendors that were specifically designed for decoration purposes.

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RGB Strings• The strings generally come in lengths of 50 if ordered from

China. If it is critical to ensure that the distance between each light is equal for building things like mega trees then you should clearly specify the required distance between each light.

• Strings can be used for almost any purpose like outlines, mega trees, matrices, etc.

• Strings will create wash back onto walls and will be brighter when looking directly at the top of the LED.

• Strings are the most versatile of all RGB lights as they can be easily positioned in any direction or orientation

• The majority of strings are made using a 8mm RGB LED, there are some that use a 5050 LED but their viewing angle is limited.

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RGB Strings• There are several variations of the strings with different

voltages, IC chips and even LEDs

12mm LPD6803 pixel module;DC5V input;full color

12mm WS2801 pixel module;DC5V input;full color

12mm 1803IC pixel module;DC12V input; full color

DC12V input 12mm through-hole LED; Non digital 3 channel

DC12V TM1804 pixel module, with one 5050 SMD RGB

Stellascapes also supplies high quality commercial and domestic ranges of RGB strings.

Light-O-Rama Cosmic Colour Bulbs

This is just a sample of what is available

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RGB Strips• RGB strip is somewhat similar to rope light, but it is directional

meaning they only shine light in one direction• The strip generally comes in 5 metre lengths and uses 5050 RGB

LEDs.• Strip can be obtained in 5vdc or 12vdc for digital SPI strip and can

be obtained in 12vdc or 24vdc for the non digital 3 channel strip.• Can only be easily bent in one axis as the strip is flat and made

from flexible printed circuit board• The strip can be easily damaged if twisted or bent too much• Comes in varying numbers of LEDs per metre, the most common

are 30 and 60 LEDs per metre.• Great to use for outlines, borders, arches, matrices, etc.• It can be cut down to 50mm or 100mm sections depending on the

LED count per metre

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RGB Strips• There are a few types of coatings used with strip

– No coating• Not to be used in outdoor applications• Very delicate and easily damaged if bent or handled incorrectly• No light diffusion at all• Easy to work with and cut

– Silicone tube• Digital SPI strip is made using this coating• Delicate and easily damaged if bent or handled incorrectly• Moderate light diffusion• Easy to work with and cut

– Solid Silicone• Strong and durable• Good light dispersion• Easy to moderate to work with and easy to cut

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RGB Strips– Resin

• Strong and durable• Good light dispersion• Difficult to work with and easy to cut

– Combination of silicone tube and resin or solid silicone. • Has the benefits of both materials

Resin Coating Silicone Tube Solid Silicone with Silicone Tube

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RGB Strips There is a large variety of digital SPI strip available in different

configurations

5m/rool waterproof LED digital strip by tube (DC12V input), with controller(DC12V input),8pcs TM1803IC/m,48pcs 5050 RGB LED/m

4m waterproof LED digital strip by tube (DC12V input),without controller,10pcs TM1809IC/m,30pcs 5050 RGB LED/m;DC12V input

5m led digital strip,DC5V input,WS2801IC(256 scale);32pcs IC and 32pcs 5050 SMD RGB each meter;with SD card controller

LED Digital strip,with WS6803 IC,30pcs 5050 SMD per meter;DC12V input;with silicon tubing

Light-O-Rama Colour Cosmic Ribbon (CCR)

This is just a sample of what is available

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RGB Strips

DC24V 5m(one roll) 5050 SMD 60LEDs/m led strip,waterproof by silicon tubing and coating;RGB color;can be used underwater

5m(one roll) 5050 SMD 60LEDs/m led strip,waterproof by silicon tubing and coating;RGB color;can be used underwater

5m(one roll) 5050 SMD 30LEDs/m led strip,waterproof by silicon tubing and coating;RGB color;can be used underwater

There is also a large variety of non digital 3 channel strip available in different configurations

The strip can also be obtained as rigid strip which is stronger but cant be bent

led pixel rigid strip,1m long,30pcs 5050 RGB SMD,with 10pcs TM1809IC,waterproof;DC12V input;aluminium alloy housing;16mm width

waterproof straw hat LED rigid strip light;54pcs led;500mm*18mm;RGB

waterproof 5050 SMD LED Rigid strip light;60pcs 5050 SMD led;1.0 m long;metal housing

This is just a sample of what is available

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RGB Modules• RGB modules are somewhat like a light string but use multiple

LEDs per module in different types of housings.• RGB modules come in many configurations and shapes• They are generally 12vdc and come in strings of 20• Can be used for many things like borders, outlines, matrices,

fillers, etc.• Strong and durable in construction• Modules are directional meaning they only shine light in one

direction• Generally more expensive than light strings• Some diffused models may have water ingress issues• Modules were primarily designed for signage and displays.

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RGB ModulesThere is a large variety of modules on offer in digital SPI

TM1804 IC led pixel module, DC12V input;20pcs a string

LPD6803IC LED Pixel module;DC24V,waterproof, 30mm diameter;6pcs 5050 SMD RGB

20pcs/string waterproof led pixel module,4pcs SMD RGB 5050,1pcs LPD6803,32 gray level,DC12V,0.96W

20pcs/string waterproof led pixel module,3pcs SMD RGB 5050,1pcs LPD6803,32 gray level,DC12V,0.72W

TM1804 IC led pixel module, DC12V input;20pcs a string

20pcs a string led pixel module,2801IC,3pcs 5050 SMD RGB,30mm diameter;DC12V input

This is just a sample of what is available

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RGB ModulesThe modules can also be obtained in non digital 3 Channel

Waterproof RGB LED LED Module,3 pcs 5050 SMD RGB LED

Waterproof SMD LED Module, 3pcs 5050 SMD LED, RGB color;

Waterproof RGB LED LED Module,3 red,3 green, 3 blue straw hat led,

5050 SMD LED module,DC12V input,waterproof,20pcs a string

5050 SMD LED module,DC12V input,waterproof,20pcs a string;RGB

This is just a sample of what is available

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RGB Floods & Spots• RGB flood Lights are used to wash colour onto a wall. These

work well when using directional lighting like strips or modules that don’t give light wash back. Floods allow you to control the amount and colour of light wash on surfaces

• RGB Spot Lights are used to highlight elements and features by focusing light onto an object.

• Floods have a wide angle beam, Spots have a narrow angle beam.

• There are many types of floods and spots available ranging from DIY to DMX packaged units.

• The LEDs used in floods and spots vary greatly with different intensities and light dispersion angles

• Strips and modules can also be used as floods if needed

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RGB Floods & SpotsRGB spot lights and floods come in many different sizes, wattages, voltages, casings and assembly to suit any application

This is just a sample of what is available

Rainbow Spotlight - Assembled w/ Enclosure, 12vdc, RGB

Rainbow Flood, 12vdc, no enclosure, RGB, assembly required

LED DMX wall washer, high power led, 36*1W, RGB,built-in DMX512 decoder;1000*70*65MM 36*1W LED flood light;RGB color, with external DMX decoder(with DMX address setting function); AC110V/220V input

V Flood and V drive combo, 12vdc, RGB, no enclosure, assembly required

RGB spot light, 12vdc, assembled with enclosure, 3 x 1 watt LEDs, DMX input

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Other RGB LightingThere are additional types of RGB lighting available to help create any type of display

RGB Tubes RGB Flat Rope Light

RGB Neon Rope Light RGB Panels and Tiles

RGB Light Curtains RGB Optical Fibre

This is just a sample of what is available

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END OF PRESENTATION