So I have 3072 RGB LEDs I need to connect in a matrix.
I have decided to split the project into smaller matrices and all LEDs are common Anode.
Datasheet for LEDs is here:
http://docs-europe.electrocomponents.com/webdocs/13dd/0900766b813dd0f4.pdf
Im thinking about splitting it into 4x 16×48 matrices which would be 48 Anode pins and 48 Cathode Pins (16 for each colour).
Im struggling to work out which ICs to use to drive the LEDs.
What LED drivers would be suitable for driving a 48×16(x3) matrix?
Is there any suitable LED drivers ideally with 48outputs that would drive a matrix of this size directly or will I need a current sink/source as well as the driver / expander chip?
Best Answer
I am not aware of any driver ic with that number of outputs. But there are solutions. If you don't need fast refresh rates or high pwm resolution, you could use a microcontroller as a driver. you can get a beefy one and code a pwm algorithm that will use one timer and as many gpios as possible to drive the mosfets that will switch your leds on and off. I work with PICs and the 122pin pic32mz comes to my mind. Attach many of them as slaves with different adresses in an i2c bus and you are in business.
The adresses can be set with dip switches so you don't have to write different code for each of the uC.
Whatever you chose won't come cheap though at this number of leds.
If you provide us with the displayed material and the refresh rates I can give you a detailed answer with a more detailed analysis as far as timing and cost is concerned.