Components on the PCB include an ARM9 processor (TI AM1808B) with 512Mbit of DDR2 SDRAM (Winbond W9751G6KB25I) and 128Mbit of flash memory (Winbond W25Q128FV), an Invictus 2 ASIC with 512Mbit of DDR2 SDRAM (Winbond W9751G6KB25I), a pair of RF transceivers (Analog Devices AD9361BBCZ), a pair of 5GHz WLAN power amplifiers (Anadigics AWL5910), and a GPS receiver (u-blox AMY-6M). For the data Ethernet port there is an Atheros AR8035 gigabit Ethernet transceiver and M-TEK G24103SKG magnetics, while for the management Ethernet port there is an Atheros AR8032 fast Ethernet transceiver and Pulse HX1188NL magnetics.

To this end, I designed a small, minimal board around the Freescale ARM chip used in the Teensy 3.1, due to the very nice WS2812B library available for it. For power, I used a 20A regulator to ensure enough current and a rechargeable lithium polymer battery to avoid eating through disposable alkaline cells.

A Python script is used to convert an image into a binary file and add start delay and display rate information. The file is then loaded onto a micro SD card and named to fit into one of four slots, corresponding to the control board’s four buttons for displaying images.

The one meter LED strip is actually two 50cm strips soldered together, due to manufacturing limitations for flexible PCBs, which leads to a noticeable gap where the two parts are joined. I was able to narrow this gap by resoldering the parts together by stacking them instead of them just abutting, but the gap is not completely gone. Additionally, I damaged one of the LEDs at the joint in the process and had to replace it. I then mounted the strip on a four foot section of 3/4″ square oak molding with clear heat shrink tubing and mounted the control electronics and power supply using interlocking fasteners.

Designs and code are available from a GitHub repository.

While I felt it had some shortcomings, Michael Ross’s design is much better documented and easier to build. As much as it irks me to see development boards used in final products, I’ll concede that they make things much easier for those without extensive soldering experience. However, his design’s power supply is inadequate, and one should really use something rated for more power.