There are many types of led matrix modules around, most based on the MAX7219 or MAX7221 chips, but this board is quite different. It uses 6 in total WS2803 surface mount World Semi led driver chips. Each chip has 18 outputs, which are fed into the R, G, B legs of the 6 LEDS. The leds shown in the picture and used for my prototypes are 10mm diameter and common ANODE type.

This is not all though, the board has a barebones Arduino UNO using the ATMEGA328 chip built into it, so you have 32k of onboard programming space available. The boards are cascadeable with +5V, GND, CLKIN, SDIN header on the input side and +5V, GND, CLKOUT, SDOUT header on the other, so you can make massive LED signs, displays or light panels, with millions of colour combinations from the LEDS.

Careful consideration must be given to the total current drawn from the required 5V supply. The leds are not multiplexed so at maximum brightness assuming 20ma per led (RGB x 36 = 108) 2.16 amps per pcb, so the psu must be able to handle this current.

In terms of programming you can connect an external arduino to the input header or use the onboard Arduino connected to your PC/MAC via the 6 pin FTDI header on the board.

This board is totally compatible with the GLEDIATOR output protocol so both GLEDIATOR and JINX can be used with a few simple programming steps. These programs allow you to create amazing LED light shows directly from your windows PC (not MAC compatible).

There are a couple of important considerations if you buy this pcb. As stated the World Semi chips used in this board are Surface mount SOP28 package so you must have confidence in soldering close pitch surface mount or own a reflow oven / Vapour phase Jar. All other components are leaded. Also you must source the latest version of the World Semi chip as they changed the surface mount pin outs, the pinouts are now the same as the discontinued Dual inline package, there is a document from the manufacturer available in the documents section.

You will notice that the ARDUINO and WS2803 part of the pcb is outside of the outline of the leds so I am currently designing a board with all components within the LED profile (this board does not have the onboard Arduino Uno ) to aid large matrix production.

The pcb's themselves are guaranteed lead free and have been designed to take the current as discussed earlier. The vertical and horizontal pitches of the leds are slightly different.

Only one board needs to contain the Atmega328 if you are going to use onboard programming, so you need to think carefully about your bom requirements when ordering multiple boards.

All the preceding notes and full assembly and programming documentation will be supplied with each pcb. I have the remaining boards from my batch of prototypes available for immediate purchase and will re-stock as soon as possible after that. I do hope to supply kits with all the components but this will follow later.

I have many designs of matrix pcb available and I will spend the next few weeks loading them on to Tindie.

Happy for comments or questions, thanks for looking.