1.2 NeoPixel Stick

The Adafruit NeoPixel Stick contains eight WS2812 RGB LEDs and their integrated driver modules connected in series. Each LED has a power pin (5VDC), a ground pin (GND), a data in pin (DIN), and a data out pin (DOUT). Each LED needs data to be sent in the correct timing to display a color. The WS2812 LEDs have a very strict timing specification since it only uses one data line. The timing specification defines three types of sequences that can be sent. These sequences include a high code sequence, a low code sequence, and a reset sequence. Each sequence starts with the pin going high, then going low. Table 1-1 has the specific timing specifications for each sequence.

Table 1-1. WS2812 Timing Specifications
Type of SequenceTime of Pin HighTime of Pin Low
High Code580 ns~1 µs580 ns~1 µs
Low Code220 ns~380 ns580 ns~1 µs
Reset0s>280 µs