Adafruit NeoPixel Shield for Arduino - 40 RGB LED Pixel Matrix

Overview

This Arduino shield from Adafruit contains 40 individually addressable RGB LEDs arranged in a 5×8 matrix, and it only takes one pin to control them all (pin 6 by default, but this can be customized by cutting a trace and adding a jumper to a different Arduino pin). Additionally, multiple NeoPixel Shields can be chained together by connecting the first shield’s DOUT pin to the second shield’s DIN pin. This results in a larger NeoPixel matrix that can still be controlled from a single Arduino pin.

The LEDs are powered by default from the Arduino’s regulated 5 V rail, which is sufficient for powering about a third of the LEDs at full brightness at the same time. If you need more power than this, you can cut a trace and use an external 4 V to 6 V supply to power the shield, but note that these LEDs can get quite bright, so you will probably want to avoid setting them to full brightness unless you have some kind of eye protection or a good diffuser in front of them. See the Powering the shield section below for more information.

The Adafruit NeoPixel library for Arduino and the higher-level Adafruit NeoMatrix library for Arduino (which requires the NeoPixel library and the Adafruit GFX library) are both compatible with the NeoPixel Shield and make it easy to get started. And since the NeoPixels are based on the same SK6812/WS2812B LEDs as our Addressable RGB LED Strips, our Arduino library for addressable RGB LED strips is also compatible with this shield.

See the NeoPixel Shield section of the Adafruit Shield Compatibility Guide for a list of tested and fully compatible Arduino boards. This shield is also compatible with the A-Star 32U4 Prime.

For more detailed documentation and resources to help you use the NeoPixel Shield, see the Adafruit NeoPixel Uberguide.

Note: The example code for our Arduino library for addressable RGB LED strips does not take any precautions to limit current draw. If you want to use these examples, be sure you are powering the NeoPixels from an appropriate power supply. See the “Powering the shield” section below for more information.

Features and specifications

• 40 individually addressable RGB LEDs (SK6812- or WS2812B-based NeoPixels) arranged in a 5×8 matrix
• 24-bit color control (8-bit PWM per channel); 16.8 million colors per pixel
• One-wire digital control interface requires just a single Arduino pin (default pin can be customized)
• Operating voltage range: 4 V to 6 V (connected to Arduino 5 V rail by default)
• Each RGB LED draws approximately 50 mA at 5 V with red, green, and blue at full brightness (~2 A max for the entire shield)
• Multiple NeoPixel Shields can be chained together
• Detailed Adafruit NeoPixel Uberguide
• Can be customized to accept power from an external source to protect the Arduino’s on-board 5 V regulator (see below)
• Reverse-voltage protection on the external power pins
• Arduino reset button brought to the top of the shield for easy access
• Multiple Arduino libraries to choose from, including:
  • Adafruit NeoPixel library
  • Adafruit NeoMatrix library (requires Adafruit NeoPixel and GFX libraries)
  • Arduino library for addressable RGB LED strips from Pololu

Adafruit NeoPixel Shield for Arduino, top view.

Adafruit NeoPixel Shield for Arduino, bottom view with board dimensions.

Powering the shield

By default, the board is configured to be powered from the Arduino 5 V supply. However, since the 40 RGB LEDs can draw upwards of 2.2 A (at full brightness), it should not be used in this default power configuration unless you take precautions against drawing more current than the Arduino’s on-board regulator can handle. This problem can be avoided by cutting a trace on the shield and supplying 5 V to the pins labeled “Ext. 5V” from an appropriate external power supply. An included 2-pin terminal block can optionally be soldered to these pins to make this modification easier. The external power pins feature reverse-voltage protection. Some Arduino boards (such as the Arduino Uno R3), have space for the NeoPixel Shield’s terminal block to be soldered to the bottom of the shield, which helps prevent it from distracting from the LEDs.

Included hardware

This shield ships with all of the surface-mount parts populated. However, soldering is required for assembly of the included through-hole parts. The following through-hole parts are included:

• two stackable 1×8 female headers
• two stackable 1×6 female headers
• one stackable 1×10 female header
• one 1×36 breakaway male header
• one 2-pin terminal block

The stackable female headers can be used to allow easy access to the Arduino pins while the shield is installed, or the breakaway male headers can be used for a cleaner appearance that offers a lower profile and better LED visibility.

An Arduino is not included.

NeoPixel Shield for Arduino with included hardware.

Adafruit NeoPixel Shield, assembled and connected to an Arduino Uno R3.

This product may ship with either WS2812B- or SK6812-based LEDs. They are have the same interface and color order and can generally be used interchangeably or chained together. This product is Adafruit product ID 1430.

People often buy this product together with:

Adafruit 16-LED NeoPixel Ring