WS2812B refers to a special, addressable RGB LED module with an integrated controller.
Thanks to this internal chip, the WS2812B only requires a single digital output from the microcontroller (e.g., Arduino).
Additionally, the internal controller allows for serial chaining of multiple WS2812B modules.
The WS2812B is available both as a single module and in the form of strips, rings, matrices (e.g., 4x4, 8x8),
and other configurations. Sometimes this module is also called "NeoPixel".
| IC type: | WS2812B (Integrated control circuit and RGB chip) |
|---|---|
| Package: | 5050 SMD (5mm x 5mm) |
| Operating voltage: | 3.3V to 5V (typically 5V) |
| Current consumption: | ~36mA per LED at full brightness (12mA per color channel) |
| Color depth: | 24-bit (8-bit per RGB channel, 256 brightness levels) |
| Total colors: | 16777216 (256×256×256) |
| Data frequency: | 800 kHz |
| Pulse width (0/1): | 0: 36% duty cycle, 1: 64% duty cycle (1.25μs total, ±150ns tolerance) |
| PWM frequency: | ~400 Hz per color channel |
📄 WS2812B RGB-LED module datasheet (431 kB)
| WS2812B | Description |
|---|---|
| 5V (also: VCC or VDD) | Power supply with +3.5V ~ +5.3V |
| GND (also: VSS) | Ground connection |
| DI or DIN | "Data In": Data input signal (connects to the microcontroller) |
| DO or DOUT | "Data Out": Data output signal (can be connected to DI of the next WS2812B) |
Each WS2812 module requires up to 60mA and should be protected by a decoupling capacitor. A series resistor is also placed in front of the data input.
The following sketch demonstrates cycling through the primary colors of the LED module one after another.
The Adafruit_NeoPixel library is used to control
the RGB module. Note that when creating the Adafruit_NeoPixel object, the constant
NEO_GRB is used to ensure the correct color order for the LED.
This may vary from module to module and might require experimentation.
#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
#define LED_PIN 9 // or any other PWM capable pin
#define BRIGHTNESS 50 // [1..255]
#define DEMO_DELAY 1000
Adafruit_NeoPixel ledModule = Adafruit_NeoPixel(1, LED_PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
void setup() {
ledModule.begin();
// set the LED off
ledModule.setPixelColor(0, ledModule.Color(0, 0, 0));
ledModule.show();
}
void loop() {
ledModule.setPixelColor(0, ledModule.Color(BRIGHTNESS, 0, 0));
ledModule.show();
delay(DEMO_DELAY);
ledModule.setPixelColor(0, ledModule.Color(0, BRIGHTNESS, 0));
ledModule.show();
delay(DEMO_DELAY);
ledModule.setPixelColor(0, ledModule.Color(0, 0, BRIGHTNESS));
ledModule.show();
delay(DEMO_DELAY);
}