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Introduction to
RGB Lighting
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane Mini 2011
AUSCHRISTMASLIGHTING.COM
Created by Fasteddy
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Introduction
This 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
SPI Data control
This method of control uses 3
channels to light a
length/section of RGB lighting
This method of control uses a data
stream to communicate to each
individual 3 channel RGB light
DC Controller
CH1
CH2
CH3
+ - + - + -
Common Anode (+)
SPI Controller
Supply
Data IN
(communication data)
Data Clock
+
-
Supply
Data IN
(communication data)
+ -
DC supply from
power supply
Data Line
Clock Line
DC supply from
power supply
Note: some types of communications do
not require the clock line
3 channel RGB Lights all
controlled together
Blue channel
Green channel
Red channel
Each RGB light is controlled
individually
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Differences in RGB Lighting
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.
Digital SPI control
This allows RGB control of each
light without having additional wires
going to each light.
Digital SPI control
Non digital 3 channel
Digital SPI Control
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
Data sent out from controller
Red – Green – Blue – White
SPI Controller
Data sent out from 1st node
Green – Blue – White
Data sent out from 3rd node
White
Data sent out from 2nd node
Blue – White
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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.
This IC can also come in constant current control
Currently there is minimal support for this chip
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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
There is also a large variety of non digital 3 channel strip available
in different configurations
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
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
This is just a sample of what is available
waterproof 5050 SMD LED Rigid
strip light;60pcs 5050 SMD
led;1.0 m long;metal housing
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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 Modules
There is a large variety of modules on offer in digital SPI
TM1804 IC led pixel module, DC12V input;20pcs a string
TM1804 IC led pixel module, DC12V input;20pcs a string
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
LPD6803IC LED Pixel module;DC24V,waterproof, 30mm diameter;6pcs 5050
SMD RGB
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 Modules
The 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;RGB
5050 SMD LED module,DC12V input,waterproof,20pcs a string
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 & Spots
RGB spot lights and floods come in many different sizes, wattages,
voltages, casings and assembly to suit any application
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
This is just a sample of what is available
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Other RGB Lighting
There 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
END OF
PRESENTATION