I'm having an issue with a panel I recently purchased. I'm fairly proficient with programming and understand the area's to disable. I followed the guide to the letter. The first issue I was having was with, what I thought was the issue, the ribbon cable. So I did what any other Electronics Tech would do...I turned it into a header and wire marked all wires...only to find out that the issue was not resolved. I get NO blinking cursor on the panel NOR can I run the demo through the Serial Monitor. I get a blank screen. With the original problem to the modified header cable, if I hold onto the R0 wire...it will change intensity of the RGB LED's to a dim red to bright (it happened with male to male jumpers and modified header cable). I can touch the R1 and not get the same results. I am wondering if the issue may be with EMI, faulty Arduino, or even, faulty panel. I DO plan on linking 2 32x32 and 2 16x32 in the future for a side project I have going on. However, purchasing multiple matrix's is out of the question if I cannot get at least one running.
The power supply I am using is only rated at 800ma...but I don't desire a fast refresh rate or bright colors. I'm mainly interested in 420nm(blue) and 660nm(red). Surely current wouldn't be an issue because I had the same results using a 300w ATX power supply and I'm pretty sure the 5v power rail is capable of up to 10A.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated with this. Love the site and absolutely LOVE your tech.
~Darkkeep~
16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
- darkkeep
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2013 4:20 am
Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
Here's some snap shots of the cable. I double and triple checked the pin out to make 100% certain.
- darkkeep
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2013 4:20 am
Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
It has to be a faulty matrix. With power applied...if I touch the input side it goes haywire. I have found a section on the board that if I touch it, the PCB, it goes into disco light mode. :-/ guess that's what I get for buying the device from another source than ada. So now, I suppose I am going to buy the 32x32 from your store along with female to male jumpers. I was hoping it was something to do with the C++ file or a header file not referencing the 2560 atmel. Unfortunately, updated library from github and tearing my heatshrink off to find out otherwise...$40 lesson learned (with shipping costs)
- adafruit_support_mike
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Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
In the second photo, you don't have the wires connected to anything.
They're plugged into a breadboard, but you only have one wire per row, so there are no connections.
They're plugged into a breadboard, but you only have one wire per row, so there are no connections.
- darkkeep
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- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2013 4:20 am
Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
I was only showing the header cable in that post. Shame I cannot delete my thread :-/
- adafruit_support_mike
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Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
One incomplete photo is no problem..
The most likely problem with any system that complicated is the connections. The markings you've done on the matrix-side wiring are great, so hook everything up to the Arduino and make sure all the connections line up properly.
The most likely problem with any system that complicated is the connections. The markings you've done on the matrix-side wiring are great, so hook everything up to the Arduino and make sure all the connections line up properly.
- darkkeep
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2013 4:20 am
Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
Well...I realized one thing while rereading my posts. I didn't buy the hardware from Lady Ada. I'm no noob to the world and realize the easiest way for support is to first give support...sad thing, I paid MORE from the other site had I have bought it from you guys in the first place. Which I'm looking for 3 more 16x32's and 4 32x32's in the near future. I've almost comptiplated buying a Micro850 and programming it with CCW...ladder logic would be easier (but where's the fun in that). Other than a defective board...idk. I'll post code snippets in a second. Replying from my S5.
- darkkeep
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2013 4:20 am
Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
Code: Select all
#define OE 10
#define LAT A3
#define A A0
#define B A1
#define C A2
//#define D A3 // Comment this line out if you're using a 32x16
// CLK can be moved but must remain on PORTB(8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
#define CLK 12 // MUST be on PORTB!
// Instantiate the RGBmatrixPanel class. One of these should be
// commented out!
// For 32x32 LED panels:
//RGBmatrixPanel matrix(A, B, C, D, CLK, LAT, OE, false); // 32x32
// For 32x16 LED panels:
RGBmatrixPanel matrix(A, B, C, CLK, LAT, OE, true); // 32x16
- darkkeep
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2013 4:20 am
Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
There has to be an addressing difference between the RGB Panel Paint vs the ones in the LED Matrix Library. FINALLY I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I used port c then back to port a. Doubt that had anything to do with it.
Got it working...
Got it working...
- adafruit_support_mike
- Posts: 67485
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Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
Glad to hear you found and fixed the problem. Happy hacking!
- darkkeep
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2013 4:20 am
Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
I have a quick question. Why is there a limitation on the matrix for displaying all white on the board? Is this a firmware issue with the matrix or processing/clock speeds? Would the use of the Intel Arduino or even a FPGA resolve the matter? I like to throttle the envelope a bit on tech and I'm afraid that this won't be able to suit my purpose...looking in the avenue of the X5 research on a more compact/personal level. ;-)The tech coming out RIGHT NOW pertaining to Arduino has my head clocking at over 100mph.
- darkkeep
- Posts: 14
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Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
Clock speeds of the Arduino. Couldnt edit post...wish you guys had an app.
- adafruit_support_mike
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Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
Most of the limits with the large matrices are due to timing.
Those panels are made to be driven by hundred-pin FPGAs running at 1GHz or more, so even getting them to light up with an Arduino is pushing the envelope pretty hard.
Those panels are made to be driven by hundred-pin FPGAs running at 1GHz or more, so even getting them to light up with an Arduino is pushing the envelope pretty hard.
- darkkeep
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2013 4:20 am
Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
Well...I guess I wouldn't be me if I didn't jump off into the deep end and at least buy me an FPGA. Time for some research...funny thing is. I'm wanting to control 8 boards. Does anyone know the min specs for timing vs max per one. I mean...there's always the possibility of driving the FPGA through mosi/miso on the arduino. I'd imagine...same as fIle servers and such...serial coms would work as long as the routine was encoded to the FPGA. I doubt we can get 6500k from the light...but since Kelvin isn't measured just by heat.
So I guess the main question would be, does anyone know the min/adequate timing for one to produce ALL white? When it comes to any project I'm involved...I tend to have deeper pockets ;-)
So I guess the main question would be, does anyone know the min/adequate timing for one to produce ALL white? When it comes to any project I'm involved...I tend to have deeper pockets ;-)
- pburgess
- Posts: 4161
- Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:29 am
Re: 16x32 Matrix and Arduino Mega ADK
All white? Mostly a power thing. The Arduino is fine pushing out the data, but you'll need a few amps to light the whole matrix.
If you need to drive a whole bunch of these matrices, I'd suggest looking at the Octoscroller project for the BeagleBone Black.
If you need to drive a whole bunch of these matrices, I'd suggest looking at the Octoscroller project for the BeagleBone Black.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.