Do you know what's inside the T-1000s pixel LED controller? The T-1000S pixel LED controller is one of the most popular low-cost pixel LED controllers. It was the first pixel LED controller, and it was released in 2012. The original T-1000s pixel LED controller, on the other hand, is extremely difficult to come by.
The majority of T-1000s pixel LED controllers on the market are clones or imitations of the original T-1000s pixel LED controller. There's no way to determine which from which because sellers won't disclose the PCB inside. We'll take a peek inside these Clone T-1000s pixel LED controllers and demonstrate how they function in this article. This set of tutorials is for anyone who wants to make their Pixel LED controller.
Original T-1000S vs Clone T-1000S
The original T-1000S and the clone T-1000s Pixel LED Controller has a few changes. The cloned pixel LED controllers may have many microcontroller ICs for whatever reason. In addition, the cloned pixel LED controller might be missing some components. As a result, there are fewer features. All of the functionality is accessible on the original T-1000S pixel LED controller. The PCBs of the original and cloned versions of these controllers are seen in the photo above.
As you can see, the original pixel LED controller comes with everything you need. There is just one microprocessor in the original pixel LED controller, as well as an LED panel header. The following are some pixel LED controller PCBs that are currently on the market.
T-1000S PCB 1
The original T-1000s Pixel LED controller PCB is remarkably similar to this T-1000 controller PCB. Only one microcontroller is present. An external oscillator is used by the microcontroller. The PCB contains all of the components. The main regulator IC on this PCB was the lm2596. When compared to a 7805 linear regulator, this can produce a significantly greater current. In addition, the microcontroller is powered by the 1117 (3.3) regulator. There is a 20pin header on the PCB, as you can see. LED panels may be connected to this controller using this header. On this PCB, there is also a program reset button. A button interface IC is also included.
T-1000S PCB 2
The primary regulator IC on this controller PCB is the lm2596. Instead of two, there are three indications. The next pixel LED control signal is output using an optocoupler IC. In this situation, the microcontroller uses an external oscillator. All of the components are on hand. The panel's header is missing.
T-1000S PCB 3
The primary regulator IC on this controller PCB is the lm2596. The optocoupler IC is missing. In this situation, the microcontroller uses an external oscillator. The panel's header is missing. There is a microcontroller reset button.
T-1000S PCB 4
The PCB for the T-1000s Pixel LED Controller is straightforward. All of the components are in stock. The current output of the voltage regulator IC is restricted. They could, however, provide adequate current for this small circuit. However, when the number of pixel LEDs grows, this might pose issues (If you are supplying Power VIA 7.5v to 24 v input). At both power input terminals, current limiting resistors are accessible. On this circuit, the SN5176B IC is accessible. There are no panel headers available. The PCB is of decent quality.
T-1000S PCB 5
Two 74HC245D transceiver ICs and one SN5176B transceiver IC are shown on this PCB. Two microcontrollers are also included on this PCB. This indicates that it is a replica of the original T-1000s Pixel LED Controller. The primary regulator IC is the LM2596, and there is also a regulator IC called 1117(3.3). The only advantage of this arrangement is that every output input signal to the controller is routed through a transceiver IC.
T-1000S PCB 6
This is the controller PCB that we'll be discussing in this lesson. There are two microcontrollers and one transceiver IC on this PCB. LM7805 is the 5v regulator, while 1117 is the 3.3v regulator (3.3). The RS485 transceiver IC and the button interface IC are both missing. This is the most affordable option. This controller is a clone of the original T-1000s Pixel LED Controller.
PCB version
Different PCB designs and components may be used in different PCB versions. When it comes to picking the right LEDEdit software version, the version number is meaningless. The cloned pixel LED controller version number, on the other hand, says nothing about the LED version it can work with. Different PCB designs are used by different manufacturers.
Disassembly
Four screws, two on each side, secure the T-1000S Pixel LED Controller enclosure. Using a Philips screwdriver, remove them.
After that, you may take off the top part of the pixel LED controller.
Remove the knobs on the pushbuttons.
The pixel LED controller's PCB is secured in place by four screws. Take them out. You should now be able to take the PCB out of the housing.
What's Inside
There are three elements to the T-1000S pixel LED controller. The Power circuit, Microcontroller circuit, and Final Output circuit. The T-1000S (Clone) version contains the following features:
The Power Circuit
Two input terminals make up the power circuit. The 5v input circuit and the 7.5 – 24v input terminal. In series with this line are an SMD diode and a resistor. The SMD diode protects against reverse polarity, whereas the SMD resistor protects against overcurrent. A smoothing capacitor is included on this input line. The 7805 linear regulator input is then connected to this line. This regulator will convert the input voltage to 5 volts and deliver it to the PCB's 5-volt wire. The 1117(3.3v) regulator input will also get this 5v.
The 5v Terminal, on the other hand, connects directly to the PCB's 5v trace (After the reverse polarity protection diode). In comparison to the 7.5v-24v terminal, this provides a benefit. Because The current restriction of the 5v line is caused by the SMD diode. Many components in the 7.5v-24v line, such as a diode, current limiting resistor, and 7805 regulators, restrict the current output. Using the 5v power input terminal is the best way to gain the maximum performance of this controller.
Microcontroller Circuit
Because this is a T-1000S clone. We have two microcontroller integrated circuits. The original, however, just contains one microcontroller. The microcontroller's primary function is to read the effect file from the SD card. The microcontroller's SPI pins are used for this communication. The microcontroller can determine the number of pixels LED chips and send out the appropriate signals. The effect file primarily includes two types of data. The controller data is in the effect file header, and the remainder is color data for each pixel led in each frame of the animation or movie. The data in the effect file, on the other hand, is encrypted.
The first microcontroller in the T-1000S clone takes data from the SD card and is also in charge of reading user button inputs. This initial microcontroller will also produce the data for the following pixel LED controller. The Data and Clock signals are output by the second microcontroller. It does, however, rely on data from the first microcontroller.
Final Output Circuit
The microcontroller's output is connected to the IC's pins. It's an 8-bit bus transceiver integrated circuit. The microcontroller's data signal is connected to four pins on this IC. The microcontroller's clock signal is connected to three pins on this IC. A single pin of this IC is used to link the controller data for the next pixel LED controller. SMD resistors are linked to the equivalent output pins on the other side. After the SMD resistor, these outputs are also linked as inputs. One of the data outputs, however, was used by the RS485 transceiver IC (SN5176B is missing).
As a result, the data out pin of the pixel LED controller is linked to the other three data signal pins. The three clock signal pins are also linked and connected to the T-1000S pixel LED controller clock output pin. The “Aout” pin of the controller links to the data output for the next pixel LED controller.
Use of 74HC245D
When it comes to the utilization of this 8-bit bus transceiver IC, there are various explanations. This IC has high input noise immunity, which indicates that noise in the input signal has less of an impact on the output signal. This IC features an output current limit, which protects it against excessive current or a short circuit. In comparison to the microcontroller, the current supply of output pins is substantially higher. Here's where you can get the Datasheet!
Use of SN5176B
This is also a differential bus transceiver IC that is optimized for the transmission of RS485 signals. This permits the data signal from the microcontroller to be transformed into stranded RS485 signal transfer. The RS485 signal protocol is used for pixel LEDs.
Use of Optocoupler IC
T-1000s Pixel LED Controller may have used optocoupler ICs and their A and B outputs. This is done to separate the microcontroller from the output device or the network's next controller. In the event of a short circuit on certain pins, the microcontroller will be protected.
