Pixelblaze V3 is a Wi-Fi LED controller and pattern development engine, which enables users to quickly write new LED patterns with its web-based live editor and expression engine. Pixelblaze V3 also ships with dozens of patterns and is useable with over 100 community-created patterns. It holds approachable editor and make the create process almost enjoyable, especially when you are familiar with programming and is comfortable writing mathematical expressions in a JavaScript or C-like syntax.
Improvements in V3
- New Pico form factor option
- ESP32 dual-core 240 MHz processors
- Twelve GPIO supporting more analog inputs and/or touch sensors
- 2.6X average faster pattern performance
- 5X more array elements and 2X more global variables available to patterns.
- Faster Wi-Fi, more responsive web interface, and WebSockets API!
- Easier Wi-Fi setup
- New patterns with much improved documentation and comments
- Pixelblaze playlists
Features & Specifications
Both the Standard and Pico form factors of Pixelblaze V3 support the same ESP32 processor and pattern rendering capabilities, and have the same LED driving capabilities:
- Processor: ESP32 dual-core, 240 MHz
- Pattern storage (1.4 MB): 100 patterns with previews, preloaded with dozens of patterns and annotated examples
- Available memory per pattern: 256 global variables, 256 stack variables (recursive functions supported), and 10,240 arrays/elements - plenty of room for complex patterns
- LED compatibility: APA102, SK9822, DotStar, WS2811, WS2812 (up to 2,500 LEDs), WS2813, WS2815, NeoPixel, and WS2801 actively driven at 5 V with 100 Ω resistors for long-distance signal wiring; also works with 12 V LEDs with a separate power supply
- Direct connection: output can be connected directly to LEDs, with support for any RGB color order and RGBW/GRBW
- Adjustable refresh rate: up to 5,000 APA102/WS2801 LEDs can be driven from 250 kHz to 20 MHz
- User button: press to change LED patterns or enter Wi-Fi setup mode (additional external button can be connected via solder pads on the underside of the board)
- Status LED: indicates connection, setup, and power states
- Current draw: 72-145 mA in client mode, 150-172 mA in AP mode
Pixelblaze V3 Standard
- Dimensions: 34.2 mm x 39.5 mm, including antenna
- LED strip mount: 5 mm screw terminal or 0.1" pin header for connecting 5 V, data, clock, and ground
- Power supply: micro-USB (1.8 A pass-through) or 5 V back-feed from the LED strip, with an onboard 3.3 V regulator for the ESP32 and expansion boards
- Power protection: reverse-polarity protection and up to 18 V overvoltage protection to prevent damage from common wiring mistakes
- GPIO: three on the expansion header and nine on the underside of the board
- Analog inputs: five (pins 14, 25, 26, 27, and 33)
- Touch sensor inputs: five (pins 2, 4, 13, 14, and 27)
- Expansion header: eight-pin header supports the Sensor Expansion Board or USB Serial Arduino Programmer, carries GND, EN, 3.3 V, RX0, TX0, IO0, IO25, and IO26
Pixelblaze V3 Pico
Pixelblaze V3 Pico is the most powerful LED controller with the minimal size, only 11 mm x 33.3 mm (366.3 mm2).
- Dimensions: 11 mm x 33.3 mm
- LED strip mount: directly-solderable castellated pins and 0.1" header for 5 V, data, clock, and ground
- Power supply: directly from the header, with an onboard 3.3 V regulator for the ESP32
- Programming pads: six pads on the underside of the board carry GND, EN, 3.3 V, RX0, TX0, and IO0 for factory programming and can be hacked to support the Sensor Expansion Board
Pixelblaze V3 is currently in the crowdfunding stage in CrowdSupply. If you are interested in this exquisite LED controller, don't hesitate to give your support!
