The LED Artist - blog » Aurora

Aurora 18×18 built into a game kiosk

The LED Artist — Fri, 19 May 2017 21:24:01 +0000

Build a Rainbow by Moey inc. from Andrew Sahlstrom on Vimeo.

You can see & play the game at Gulliver’s Gate in NYC.

New Items Debut Tomorrow @ Maker Faire

The LED Artist — Sat, 18 May 2013 05:25:07 +0000

A few new items are debuting at the Maker Faire Bay Area tomorrow.

Didn’t have time to take video to show you what they do, but I will post more info after the Maker Faire.

Aurora 12 bar – Kit and PCB

The LED Artist — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 00:11:08 +0000

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!

- Aurora 12 bar Schematics

- Assembly Guide

*** Purchase Here ***

Aurora 9×18 and 18×18 Firmware Update

The LED Artist — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 02:11:55 +0000

I discovered a bug that prevents start up at the power on. The condition is relatively rare, but if your Aurora 9×18 mk2 or Aurora 18×18 is suffering from occasional lookup at the power up, please reprogram the PIC with the updated firmware.

This firmware (version 1.4) is also revised to keep the speed change setting in the EEPROM (note: speed adjustment is only possible via IR remote), so that your set speed will be restored after power off/on.

Please let me know if there are any issues with this updated version.

- Aurora 9xx18 mk2 firmware: aurora9x18mk2-1.4.hex

- Aurora 18×18 firmware: aurora18x18-rev2d-v1.4.hex

Aurora mini Clock by Steven Hibs

The LED Artist — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 19:32:28 +0000

Check this out!

Steven Hibs created this beautiful Aurora Mini-Clock. Made with a Chrome Table Lamp, 126 commom cathode RGB LEDs, and seven segment displays. The circuit and the firmware is based on my Aurora mini 18.

The spherical chrome bowl complements the Aurora design very well. Great work!

Battery Cases

The LED Artist — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 21:32:20 +0000

Here are handy battery cases for driving Aurora with batteries. These hold two, three, or four AA batteries, and has a power switch. The cords are terminated with a 2 pin Molex female connector (standard 2.54 mm pitch), so connecting to Aurora is a snap.

In general, Three batteries are recommended, but two Alkalines work ok (LEDs will not be as bright) with Aurora 12 bar or Aurora mini 18. For Aurora 9×18 and Aurora 18×18, use of four AA batteries is recommended.
Two AA battery configuration is only effective if you are using Alkaline batteries. Rechargeable batteries such as NiMH or NiCD have lower voltage, so at least 3 of them need to be used to power Aurora.

*** Purchase Here ***

Aurora 48 Kit

The LED Artist — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 05:04:33 +0000

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

The LED Artist — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 01:27:07 +0000

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

The LED Artist — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 16:54:45 +0000

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).

- Schematic-rev3a

Aurora mini 18 Firmware Update

The LED Artist — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 14:42:03 +0000

Aurora mini 18 now has three new animation patterns added. These new patterns are based on random numbers, instead of smooth transitions of original patterns. Now Aurora mini 18 has total of ten patterns for more fun.

- Download new firmware: Aurora18mini2-1.3.hex
- Purchase Aurora mini 18 -