We’re excited to introduce what we imagine is the world’s smallest addressable LED, the SMD LED – Addressable RGB APA-104-1010.
The SMD LED – Addressable RGB APA-104-1010. Measuring an astonishingly small 1.0mm x 1.0mm, this LED represents the reducing fringe of miniaturization in digital parts. However how did we get right here? Let’s take a quick journey by means of the historical past of addressable LEDs and discover how they’ve shrunk to this unbelievable measurement.
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, lots of that are restricted a single colour, addressable LEDs simplify the method by embedding management circuitry inside every LED to alter colour and brightness by means of 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 could be traced again to the event of sensible lighting programs within the early 2000s. One of many earliest fashions that gained reputation was the WS2801 by Worldsemi, an LED driver IC that enabled management of RGB LEDs through a easy two-wire SPI interface. The WS2801 was quickly adopted by built-in fashions just like the WS2812s, which embedded the motive force throughout the LED package deal, simplifying the design and decreasing the scale.
Producers improved these programs and developed much more compact fashions, such because the APA102C collection (manufactured by APA Electronics Co., Ltd.) which provided sooner information charges and higher colour stability. The APA102C-5050 and APA102-2020 are prime examples of how addressable LEDs have turn out to be smaller and extra environment friendly, setting the stage for the miniaturized APA-104-1010. See the chart under to match the Addressable LED choices we at present 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 |
| Shade 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 development in direction of miniaturization in digital parts is pushed by many elements, together with the demand for extra compact gadgets, the necessity for vitality effectivity, and the pursuit of upper decision in shows and lighting purposes. As expertise superior the addressable LED turned smaller and smaller.
The newest innovation on this discipline 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 over a fraction of the area.
These tiny LEDs are significantly important for purposes the place area and weight are at a premium. We actually suppose 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 measurement or weight.
Drawbacks?
One small downside for these LEDs is that they’re fairly delicate to humidity and may crack throughout reflow. No want to fret although, SparkFun makes certain 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 a protracted line of addressable LEDs — it is a testomony to how far we have include electronics. By persevering with to push the bounds of miniaturization, we’re not simply making smaller parts; we’re opening the door to new improvements that had been beforehand unimaginable. We’re proud to hold this merchandise and we will not wait to see how we, and others, use this unbelievable new LED of their builds.
