Pololu 2162 - Headerless ShiftBrite V2.0

Overview

ShiftBrites are modules by macetech that integrate the Allegro A6281 3-channel constant current LED driver with a large, high-brightness RGB LED. Using just three digital output pins and a simple protocol, your microcontroller can control a long chain of these modules. Each ShiftBrite in the chain can be independently changed to any of the 1,073,741,824 possible colors to create dynamic displays and decorations. Adjustable current for each color channel lets you correct for slight differences in brightness. In addition, the LED driver is protected from overheating by automatic over-temperature shutdown.

The ShiftBrite V2.0 is a redesigned version of the original ShiftBrite that offers the following key improvements:

• New mounting ears and large mounting holes for easier installation.
• Better indication of polarity and data direction on both top and bottom.
• Larger power traces for improved power handling and chaining.
• Additional power filtering capacitor.

The ShiftBrite V2.0 comes in two configurations: one with male header pins and one without male header pins. The pin spacing is 0.1", making ShiftBrites compatible with breadboards and perfboards. Our custom six-conductor cables, available in lengths of 6" and 12", can also be used to easily chain together multiple modules.

The original ShiftBrite and new ShiftBrite V2.0 are pin-compatible and have the same basic functionality, so a mix of original and new ShiftBrites can be chained together on the same strand. Please note that several of the pictures, diagrams, and videos on this page show the original ShiftBrites (with green solder masks); the V2.0 model has a larger PCB with a black solder mask as shown in the main product picture.

Example ShiftBrite applications

Several ShiftBrite applications are shown below, including an example setup using a Micro Maestro as a ShiftBrite controller. In the Micro Maestro example, digital outputs 0, 1 and 2 are used to send the control signals to the clock, latch, and data lines, the enable line is connected directly to GND, and 6 V power to the Maestro is delivered from the ShiftBrite chain. Maestro source code to control a ShiftBrite is available in the Example Scripts section of the Maestro User’s Guide. Our Orangutan robot controllers can also be used to control ShiftBrites, as can the Arduino. Source code for the Orangutan is available at the bottom of this page.

General specifications