The first thing we do in the code as usual, is to include the libraries that will be used, then we declare the pins on the Arduino to which the LED Matrix is connected.
So as usual, download the library, extract it and copy to your Arduino libraries folder, then start the Arduino IDE. This Library makes the process of programming the Arduino to drive the LED matrix easy. To ensure ease of the coding process, we will use the LEDcontrol library which can be downloaded from here. This software allows you draw your graphics by highlighting boxes like some dots connecting sort of game, then generates the byte array which you can then copy and use in your code. To do this, we will use a very lightweight software which I found online, called “PixeltoMatrix”. Here is a pin map of the connection for clarity.Ĭreating Graphics for Display on the LED Matrixīefore we proceed to writing the code for this project, I would like to show you an easy way of creating the graphics to be displayed on the LED Matrix and generating the byte array that will be used in the code to represent the graphics to be displayed. SchematicsĬonnect the Module to the Arduino as shown in the Fritzing schematics below. To get it, just follow the link attached to it. The components required for this project are ĭo note that the 8×8 LED matrix used in this tutorial already comes with the LED Driver attached as its common with most 8×8 LED modules these days. The MAX7219/MAX7221 also allow the user to select code-B decoding or no-decode for each digit. The MAX7221 is compatible with SPI, QSPI, and MICROWIRE communication protocols, and has slew-rate-limited segment drivers to reduce EMI. Individual digits of the connected LED display may be addressed and updated without rewriting the entire display. Only one external resistor is required to set the segment current for all LEDs. Included on the MAX7219 chip is a BCD code-B decoder, a multiplex scan circuitry, a segment and digit drivers, and an 8×8 static RAM that stores each digit. The MAX7219/MAX7221 are compact, serial input/output common-cathode display drivers that interface to microcontrollers and microprocessors to control 7-segment numeric LED displays of up to 8 digits, bar-graph displays, or 64 individual LEDs. Although this driver comes attached to the LED Matrix display that we will be using for this tutorial, its important to treat them separately, so you can understand how the LED driver works and be able to use it in case you are unable to get an 8×8 LED Matrix display that comes with the LED Driver.
To enable us to control the display easily, we will be using the MAX7219/MAX7221 LED display driver module. Made of super bright LEDs, they produce low resolution display and can be daisy chained to produce larger displays. The 8×8 LED matrix displays are usually used for the display of symbols, simple graphics and texts.
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