A60 Source Code Published
After receiving many requests, I finally decided to publish/share the firmware source code of A60.
I was put off by the cheap clone made available, but I now think there can be something good in sharing the firmware, so that others might learn something from my code – not that my coding skill is that good, but the way you can use a simple MCU like a PIC24Fxx to directly control the individual brightness of 180 LEDs (60 x (R+G+B)) is pretty cool, because you can same money and space by not using PWM controller ICs.
You can find the code here: https://github.com/theledartist/A60
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A12 – Wearable LED Gadget with Full-Color LEDs
New addition to my wearable LED accessories is A12. A12 is the same size as R48, uses the same microcontroller and battery, but with 12 full-color LEDs. A12 produces patterns similar to Aurora mini 18, but lighter and has a built-in battery holder in the back.
A12 comes with a non-rechargeable battery (CR2450) and a black cord (lanyard) to hang around the neck. The battery lasts for about 5 hours or more in continuous run.
There are also rechargeable battery (LIR2450) and the charger available. With those, you won’t need to keep buying batteries.
The charger is very compact and plugs right into an USB port.
Features/Notes:
- 12 full-color LEDs produce beautiful colors.
- A12 is available fully assembled or soldering kit.
- Comes with a non-rechargeable battery (CR2450, easily replaceable).
- Battery will typically last about 5 hours continuously.
- Also comes with black cord (lanyard) to hang around your neck.
- 10 beautiful animation patterns preprogrammed.
- “Demo” mode automatically runs though all animation patterns – changes every minute. (Activated by holding the button at the startup.)
- Rechargeable battery (LIR2450) is also available as an option. This recommended option lights the LEDs brighter, as it has higher voltage.
- The charger for the above is also available.
- Dimension: 1.9 inch diameter, 0.4 inch thick (including the battery)
Technical Details:
- 12 common-anode RGB LEDs.
- PIC24F08KL301 16 bit microcontroller @ 32 MHz.
- Each LED is PWM controlled in 128 gamma-corrected levels.
Aurora 12 bar – Kit and PCB
Aurora 12 bar is a simple, straight line RGB LED sequencer/chaser. Aurora 12 bar’s hardware is almost identical to Aurora mini 18. In fact only difference are (besides their shapes) the number of LEDs and the microcontroller that they use. Oh, and Aurora 12 bar doesn’t use a single SMT (surface mount technology) part!
In addition to all the animations that other Aurora’s can do, Aurora 12 bar also has the analog input ready. By hooking up to Audio Interface, you can turn Aurora 12 bar into a full-color sound/VU meter!
Aurora 12 bar is made with 100% through-hole parts. No surface mount parts!
Kit Contents
12x RGB LED (common-cathode)
3x 2N2907A or equivalent Transistor
1x PIC24FV16KA301 Microcontroller (Preprogrammed with the latest firmware)
1x Tactile Switch
12x 120 ohm Resistor
3x 220 ohm Resistor
4x 2.2k or 2.7k ohm Resistor
1x 10k ohm Resistor
1x 0.1 uF Ceramic Capacitor
1x 10 uF Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitor
1x 33 uF Electrolytic Capacitor
1x Aurora 12 bar PCB
* 3 pin Molex connector shown in some pictures come with Audio Interface, and is not included in Aurora 12 bar kit.
Note: All Aurora 12 bar kits ship with preprogrammed PIC. You do not need a PIC programmer to assemble Aurora 12 bar kits!
*** Purchase Here ***
Aurora 48 Kit
Aurora 48 is a compact and thin profile full LED sequencer. It’s built entirely with surface mount components, so the profile is nice and clean.
- Capable of individually controlling 48 Full color LEDs.
- Each LED can be faded in 7 bit per channel - 2,097,152 colors.
- Gamma corrected brightness curve for very smooth fades.
- Simple, one button control.
- 11 sequence pattern (as of firmware version 1.0).
- Compact – 2.68 inch (68 mm) in diameter.
- Thin profile construction (0.137 inch (3.5 mm) thick).
- No leads sticking out on the back. Ideal for wearable projects.
- Firmware is easily upgradable via 5 pin ICSP connection.
Please review the instructables before purchase – assembly requires some skills. You will also need PIC programmer such as PICKit 3, ICD 2, ICD 3 (PICKit 2 doesn’t work with the PIC used). If you don’t have a programmer, you can purchase the PIC programmed with the latest firmware.
- Detailed technical information at instructables.com
- Aurora 48 Schematic-rev3a (PDF)
- Aurora 48 part placement (PDF) (revised Feb.18, 2013)
- Firmware ver.1.0 (aurora48smd-1.0.hex)
*** Purchase Here ***
Aurora 48 Sequence Video
Here is a video of Aurora 48 showing all of its preset sequence patterns. Watch it in full screen – it’s full 1080p HD.
Aurora 48 Preview
Here’s the new project that I’ve been working on.
Aurora 48 has 48 full-color/RGB LEDs, each individually controlled. Each and every 48 LEDs has 7 bit per channel = 2,097,152 possible colors. Like other Auroras brightness curve is gamma corrected so the fades are very smooth.
Using all SMT components, Aurora 48 is compact and low profile. 2.68 inch (68 mm) in diameter and only 0.137 inch (3.5 mm) thick.
Aurora 48 inherits most of its circuit from other Auroras before it. The controller is PIC24FV16KA304 (same as Aurora 18×18), however doubling the RGB bus by the help of a binary decoder chip (74HC238).
Aurora 9×18 mk2 kit and PCB
(The original Aurora 9×18 video)
The kit includes everything you need to build Aurora 9×18 mk2, plus mounting screws & nuts. Those screws can also help you when you solder in the LEDs, by giving the PCB a lift off the working surface.
The smallest SMD parts are 0603 size, which is quite tiny. Naturally it’s very easy to lose them while assembling. Since it’s not much fun having to buy those little parts because you lose them, I’m including a few extras for all 0603 size parts. There are a few extra LEDs included as well. Hopefully you won’t have to stop the assembly because you’ve lost a few parts.
- View the technical info here.
- View the soldering/assembly guide.
IMPORTANT: You need a compatible PIC programmer such as PICkit 3, ICD2/3, etc. to program the PIC. (PICkit 2 does not support the newer PICs used on those Auroras.) If you don’t have access to program the PIC, you can choose “programmed” option for additional $5. The PIC IC will be soldered to the PCB in order to be programmed.
*** Purchase Here ***
Aurora 18×18 kit and PCB
The kit includes everything you need to build Aurora 18×18, plus mounting screws & nuts. Those screws can also help you when you solder in the LEDs, by giving the PCB a lift off the working surface.
The smallest SMD parts are 0603 size, which is quite tiny. Naturally it’s very easy to lose them while assembling. Since it’s not much fun having to buy those little parts because you lose them, I’m including a few extras for all 0603 size parts. There are a few extra LEDs included as well. Hopefully you won’t have to stop the assembly because you’ve lost a few parts.
- View the technical info here.
- View the soldering/assembly guide.
The kit ships with a PIC microcontroller preprogrammed. So you do not need a compatible PIC programmer to assemble Aurora 18×18 kit.
*** Purchase Here ***
Aurora 9×18 mk2 & 18×18 Technical Info
Here are some technical information on the new Aurora 9×18 mk2 and Aurora 18×18.
Aurora 9×18 mk2
Assembly Details
Will be posted on Instructables (instructables.com). Meanwhile please view my Instructables for Aurora 9×18.
Schematics
Parts List
- 4x 47 ohm (0603)
- 162x 150 ohm (0603)
- 9x 220 ohm (0603)
- 13x 1k ohm (0603)
- 4x 10k ohm (0603)
- 2x 0.1uF (0603)
- 2x 10uF (1206)
- 1x 22uF (1210)
- 3x DMP3098L (P-ch MOSFET)
- 9x MMBT2222A (NPN transistor)
- 1x PIC24FV16KA301
- 1x GP1UX311QS or equivalent (IR remote receiver)
- 1x Tactile Switch
- 162x Tricolor LED (common-cathode)
Firmware
Aurora 18×18
Assembly Details
View my Instructables
Schematics
Parts List
- 4x 47 ohm (0603)
- 324x 150 ohm (0603)
- 18x 220 ohm (0603)
- 21x 1k ohm (0603)
- 4x 10k ohm (0603)
- 3x 0.1uF (0603)
- 2x 10uF (1206)
- 1x 47uF (1210)
- 3x DMP3098L (P-ch MOSFET)
- 18x MMBT2222A (NPN transistor)
- 1x PIC24FV16KA304
- 1x GP1UX311QS or equivalent (IR remote receiver)
- 1x Tactile Switch
- 324x Tricolor LED (common-cathode)
Firmware
Colour Night Joule Thief kit
Colour(Color) Night Joule Thief kit and PCB are available. Please use the buttons below to purchase.
Detailed information and building instructions are here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Colour-Changing-Night-Joule-Thief/
*** Purchase Here ***
RGB LED – 5mm, common-cathode
10 pack of 5mm RGB LED – common-cathode. Diffused plastic – same as the ones used for Aurora. (Also same as this one.)
| 5mm RGB LED – common-cathode 10 pack: $5.00 |
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Aurora mini 18
Aurora mini 18 is only 2 inches in diameter, yet controls 18 full-color (RGB) LEDs individually. The technology that enables this little thing is as amazing as the lights it produces.
Please review the instructables before purchase – assembly requires soldering skill. You will also need PIC programmer such as PICKit 3, ICD 2, ICD 3 (PICKit 2 doesn’t work with the PIC used). If you don’t have a programmer, you can purchase the PIC programmed with the latest firmware. (The PIC will be soldered to the PCB)
- Detailed technical information at instructables.com
- Aurora mini 18 part placement chart (PDF)
* Firmware update – download here *
*** Purchase Here ***
Color Changing LED – 5mm
10 pack of self color changing LED – 5mm, water clear type. Same as the ones used for Colour Night Joule Thief.
It’s a bit of “hard to find” item.
| Color Changing LED – 5mm, water clear – 10 pack: $5.00 |
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