The SMD LED – Addressable RGB APA-104-1010. Measuring an astonishingly small 1.0mm x 1.0mm, this LED represents the slicing fringe of miniaturization in digital parts. However how did we get right here? Let’s take a quick journey via the historical past of addressable LEDs and discover how they’ve shrunk to this unimaginable dimension.
The Evolution of Addressable LEDs
From being easy standing indicators to interactive artwork installations, addressable LEDs have been built-in into electronics in some ways. In contrast to conventional LEDs, a lot of that are restricted a single shade, addressable LEDs simplify the method by embedding management circuitry inside every LED to vary shade and brightness via easy code. This development allowed for particular person management over every LED in a strip or sequence, making it simpler to create intricate lighting results.
The idea of addressable LEDs might be traced again to the event of good lighting methods within the early 2000s. One of many earliest fashions that gained recognition was the WS2801 by Worldsemi, an LED driver IC that enabled management of RGB LEDs by way of a easy two-wire SPI interface. The WS2801 was quickly adopted by built-in fashions just like the WS2812s, which embedded the driving force throughout the LED bundle, simplifying the design and lowering the dimensions.
Producers improved these methods and developed much more compact fashions, such because the APA102C collection (manufactured by APA Electronics Co., Ltd.) which supplied quicker knowledge charges and higher shade stability. The APA102C-5050 and APA102-2020 are prime examples of how addressable LEDs have develop into smaller and extra environment friendly, setting the stage for the miniaturized APA-104-1010. See the chart beneath to check the Addressable LED choices we presently keep on our webstore.
| APA-104-1010 | APA102-2020 | APA102C-5050 | WS2812B 5050 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension (mm) | 1.0 x 1.0 | 2.0 x 2.0 | 5.0 x 5.0 | 5.0 x 5.0 |
| Working Voltage (V) | 3.3 – 5.5 | 3.3 – 5.5 | 3.3 – 5.5 | 3.3 – 5.5 |
| Max Present per LED (mA) | 15 | 30 | 60 | 60 |
| Colour Depth (Bits) | 24-bit | 24-bit | 24-bit | 24-bit |
| Built-in IC | Sure | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Management Protocol | Single-wire | SPI | SPI | Single-wire |
1.0mm x 1.0mm!?
The pattern in direction of miniaturization in digital parts is pushed by many elements, together with the demand for extra compact gadgets, the necessity for power effectivity, and the pursuit of upper decision in shows and lighting functions. As expertise superior the addressable LED grew to become smaller and smaller.
The newest innovation on this area is the APA-104-1010, which our founder calls “insanely small”. At simply 1.0mm x 1.0mm, these LEDs retain the performance of their bigger predecessors whereas taking on a fraction of the area.
These tiny LEDs are notably important for functions the place area and weight are at a premium. We actually assume that these LEDs give the flexibility to suit into extra versatile PCB shapes particularly in wearable expertise and drones, the place each millimeter and gram counts, the APA-104-1010 will permit designers to include RGB lighting into gadgets with out compromising on dimension or weight.
Drawbacks?
One small downside for these LEDs is that they’re fairly delicate to humidity and might crack throughout reflow. No want to fret although, SparkFun makes positive to ship them in humidity sealed baggage.
All in all, the SMD LED – Addressable RGB APA-104-1010 is extra than simply the newest in an extended line of addressable LEDs — it is a testomony to how far we have include electronics. By persevering with to push the boundaries of miniaturization, we’re not simply making smaller parts; we’re opening the door to new improvements that have been beforehand unimaginable. We’re proud to hold this merchandise and we will not wait to see how we, and others, use this unimaginable new LED of their builds.
