LED Displays

(8 x 8 LED Matrix)
The Pieces

The Theory & Code

8 x 8 Bi-Colour
LED Matrix

LED Matrix
LED Matrix's are great fun, you can create funky patterns, scroll messages, or
create something entirely bizarre. Sadly controlling one is a tad complicated. But
once mastered is easily repeatable.
.: A quick refresher on LED control can be found here tinyurl.com/cmn5nh :.

(common anode)

x1
1K ohm Resistor
(brown-black-red)

x8

The Schematic
pin 10

pin 2

pin 11

pin 12

pin 13

resistor
(1K Ohm)

pin 3

resistor
(1K Ohm)

pin 4

resistor
(1K Ohm)

pin 5

resistor
(1K Ohm)

pin 6

resistor
(1K Ohm)

pin 7

resistor

analog
pin 0

analog
pin 1

analog
pin 2

analog
pin 3

Matrix Wiring
Each matrix has 128 LEDs (64 Red & 64 Green) however there is noticeably not
256 leads. Instead the LEDs are wired into a matrix. This matrix has the LED's
anodes connected across rows (8 pins) then the red and green LED's cathodes
attached across columns (8 pins each). To light an LED connect it's rows anode
to +5volts, and through a resistor, it's columns cathode to ground. (you can try
this without a micro-controller)
Displaying Images (Scanning)
Now that we can light any LED we choose it's time to move on to displaying a
(small) image. To do this we will use a scan pattern. In the example code we
define a bitmap image (an array of 8 bytes, each bit representing one LED).
Next we scan through this array one byte at a time, displaying one column then
the next. If we do this fast enough (about 1000 times a second) it appears as an
image. It sounds complex but if you download the code and play around it
should quickly become clear. (play around with the delay times to see the flicker)
Example Code
.: Code to test your display a test pattern http://tinyurl.com/yjozkrr :.
.: Code to scroll a message across the display http://tinyurl.com/yl3pc28 :.

(1K Ohm)

pin 8

resistor
(1K Ohm)

pin 9

resistor
(1K Ohm)

More Things to Try

Dislike Red? you can switch to green by shifting the column pins from COL-R to
COL-G. Using too many Digital pins? Try controlling the display using shift
registers (74HC595) tinyurl.com/l43cph or a dedicated display chip (MAX7219)
http://tinyurl.com/4s2oo7 (arduino.cc)
.: Full Datasheet & Pinout http://tinyurl.com/yff4v8u :.

The Circuit

NOTE
the matrix is larger than
the breadboard. Install the
wires, fold them outwards
then insert the matrix.

NOTE
the location of pin 1
is printed on the
underside of the matrix

The Layout Sheet

A B C D E

ROW-4
R-COL-4
G-COL-4
ROW-3
R-COL-3
G-COL-3
ROW-2
R-COL-2
G-COL-2
ROW-1
R-COL-1
G-COL-1

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

13

15

F G H I

8x8
Matrix

14

(common anode)

J
12
11
10

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

8-ROW
8-COL-R
9-COL-G
7-ROW
7-COL-R
7-COL-G
6-ROW
6-COL-R
6-COL-G
5-ROW
5-COL-R
5-COL-G

13

13 to pin 10

14

14 to pin 11

15

15 to pin 12

16

16 to pin 13
17
to analog 0

17
18

18
to analog 1

19

19
to analog 2

1K Ohm

20
to analog 3

20
21

21

22

to pin 2
22

23

to pin 3
23

24

to pin 4
24

25

to pin 5
25

26

to pin 6
26
to pin 7
27

27

to pin 8
28

28

CIRC-21
29

to pin 9
29

LED30Displays

(8 x 8 Bi-Colour Matrix)

A B C D E

.: Instructions: print out, cut out, get making :.

.: for more details visit: http://tinyurl.com/yhwxv6h :.

30
F G H I