on October 18th 8,008

A Beginner’s Guide to WS2813 LED Control and Wiring

The WS2813 is a smart LED that combines a control circuit and an RGB chip into a single component, making it perfect for lighting projects where color control and brightness are key. It offers reliable performance with a built-in system that ensures smooth operation, even after a power interruption. With each pixel capable of displaying a wide range of colors and supporting a high refresh rate, the WS2813 is ideal for projects that need vibrant, consistent lighting.

Catalog

Overview of WS2813

WS2813 is a type of LED that combines both the control circuit and the RGB chip into one small component. This LED is commonly used in lighting projects because it offers great control over colors and brightness. WS2813 contains technology that allows it to transmit signals effectively without distortion, ensuring the light stays consistent. It also has a built-in reset system, which ensures it works smoothly even after a power interruption. Each pixel in the WS2813 can display a wide range of colors, and it supports a refresh rate that keeps the lights bright and fluid. It is highly suitable for projects that require bright, colorful lighting and reliable performance.

WS2813 Pin Configuration

NO.	Symbol	PIN	Function Description
1	NC	HANGING	Suspended in PCB layout, the circuit will be out of operation when it connects to other circuits
2	VDD	POWER VOLTAGE	Power Voltage, connect to "+5V"
3	DO	DATA OUT	Control data signal output
4	DIN	DATA IN	Control data signal input
5	GND	GROUND	Data & Power Grounding
6	BIN	BACKUP DATA IN	Backup Control data signal input

WS2813 CAD Model Information

WS2813 Symbol

WS2813 Footprint

WS2813 Technical Specifications

Technical specifications, features, parameters, and comparable parts related to the Worldsemi WS2813C.

Type	Parameter
Mounting Type	Surface Mount
Package / Case	SMD, 5x5mm
Packaging	Tape & Reel (TR)
Illumination Color	RGB
Dominant Wavelength / Coordinate Rank	620625nm Red, 515525nm Green, 465~475nm Blue
Luminous Intensity (IF=20mA)	60mcd@5mA Red, 245mcd@5mA Green, 60mcd@5mA Blue
RoHS Status	RoHS Compliant

Features and Advantages of WS2813

Shared Power Source

The control circuit and LED in the WS2813 share the same power supply. This means you don’t need separate power sources for the different components. It simplifies your setup by reducing the amount of wiring and power management required.

Integrated Control Circuit and RGB Chip

The control circuit and RGB chip are combined into a single component. This integration allows for smoother operation of the LEDs, providing better color control and more consistent lighting without needing separate components.

Signal Reshaping Circuit

WS2813 comes with a built-in signal reshaping circuit. This ensures that as data passes through each LED, the signal remains strong and clear, without any distortion. So, no matter how many LEDs you use in a row, the signal stays accurate, making your lighting look consistent.

Power-on Reset and Brown-out Reset

WS2813 has built-in reset circuits. The power-on reset ensures the LEDs start up correctly after you power them on, while the brown-out reset helps them recover smoothly in case of any brief power drops. This keeps your lighting stable even during power fluctuations.

Full-Color Display

Each pixel in the WS2813 can display up to 16,777,216 different colors. This is possible because each pixel has 256 levels of gray, allowing for extremely precise color control. This feature lets you create vibrant and dynamic lighting displays with a wide range of colors.

Serial Cascade Interface

You only need one data signal line to connect multiple WS2813 LEDs in a series. This means less wiring and a more straightforward setup, especially in large projects. The data travels through each LED in a chain, allowing you to control all the LEDs using a single line.

Dual-Signal Wires for Continuous Transmission

WS2813 uses two signal wires, which allow it to keep transmitting even if one signal wire is broken. This means that even if one pixel fails, the rest of your LEDs will continue working. This feature makes your project more reliable, as a single point of failure won’t bring down the whole system.

Long-Distance Transmission Without Extra Circuitry

You can place your WS2813 LEDs more than 3 meters apart without needing any extra circuits to boost the signal. This is great for large-scale projects where the lights might need to be far apart, as you don’t need to add extra components to keep the signal strong.

High Refresh Rate

WS2813 supports a refresh rate of 2 KHz per second. This high refresh rate ensures that your lighting changes smoothly and quickly, without any noticeable flicker, making it ideal for projects that require fast or dynamic lighting effects.

Data Transmission Speed

The data transmission speed for WS2813 is up to 800 Kbps. This fast transmission allows for quick updates to your lighting setup, enabling you to make real-time changes to the colors and patterns without delays.

Reliable Color Consistency

The WS2813 is designed to provide reliable color consistency across all LEDs. This ensures that all the lights will display the same colors at the same time, providing a uniform and visually pleasing result in your project.

Applications Of WS2813

Guardrail Tube Series

WS2813 is often used in guardrail tube lighting. This type of application is common in outdoor lighting, especially along pathways or architectural features, where consistent and vibrant lighting is required. The durability and ease of setup make it a suitable choice for these environments.

Point Light Display Series

WS2813 is ideal for point light displays, where each LED serves as an individual point of light in a larger display. This could be used for decorative lighting, signage, or creative installations where precise color control and brightness are important.

Flexible and Rigid Strip Series

WS2813 works well in both flexible and rigid LED strips. These strips can be used in various applications, from under-cabinet lighting in homes to large-scale installations in commercial spaces. The flexibility of the strips, combined with the reliability of WS2813, gives you many options for design.

Module Series

WS2813 is also commonly used in LED modules, which are self-contained units that include the LED and the necessary circuitry. These modules are useful in applications where space is limited but reliable lighting is still required, such as in smaller installations or custom lighting fixtures.

Stage Lighting Costumes

WS2813 can be incorporated into stage lighting costumes, adding dynamic lighting effects to performance outfits. The full-color display and high refresh rate make it an excellent choice for costumes that need to change colors and patterns quickly during a performance.

Innovative Gadgets and Other Electronic Products

WS2813 can be used in various innovative gadgets or electronic products that require bright, colorful lighting. Whether you are designing a unique gadget or adding lighting to an existing product, WS2813 offers you control over the color and brightness in a compact and easy-to-use package.

WS2813 Wiring Guide

When you are working with WS2813, you only need one power supply that supports both the control circuit and the LED. The WS2813 is designed to simplify wiring by combining the RGB chip and control circuit into one. The built-in circuit reshapes the signal, ensuring there’s no loss in signal quality as it passes through each pixel. This is important to keep your lighting system working correctly without flickering or misfiring. The wiring is further simplified because WS2813 has built-in reset circuits that ensure the lights come back online properly after a reset or a power drop.

Operating the WS2813

To use the WS2813, the data transfer is handled through a single communication method known as NZR. When you first power up the pixel, the DIN (Data Input) port will receive information from your controller. The first pixel in the chain will capture the initial 24 bits of data and store it internally. It will then send the reshaped signal to the next pixel, and this process continues until every pixel has its data.

One great feature of the WS2813 is its ability to auto-reshape signals. This means that no matter how many LEDs you chain together, the signal will remain strong as it passes from one pixel to the next. If any damage occurs to one of the pixels, the backup input (BIN) automatically takes over, ensuring that the signal continues without interruption. This setup keeps your lighting project functioning even if one pixel fails.

Comparison: WS2813 vs. WS2812B

The biggest difference between WS2813 and WS2812B lies in how they handle signal interruptions. With WS2812B, if one LED in the chain stops working, the rest of the LEDs will not function because the circuit is broken. However, WS2813 solves this problem with its dual-signal system. This means that if one LED fails, the others will continue working as long as the failure is not in two neighboring LEDs. This makes WS2813 a more reliable option when working on projects that require longer chains of LEDs.

You don’t have to worry about your entire project shutting down just because one LED fails with WS2813. The system is designed to bypass the broken pixel, which keeps everything running smoothly. This improvement over WS2812B makes WS2813 a preferred choice for people looking for more dependable lighting setups.

WS2813 Dimensions

Manufacturer: WorldSemi Overview

WS2813 is made by a company called WorldSemi. Since starting in 2007, WorldSemi has become known for its expertise in LED technology. They have developed a variety of products beyond LEDs, including LED controllers and other related components. Their focus on reliable, innovative lighting solutions has made them a strong player in the market. Whether you're looking to create a small lighting project or something larger, WorldSemi’s products like the WS2813 are built to help you achieve the results you're after with ease and confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]

1. How can you control the WS2813?

You can control WS2813 LED strips using the FastLED library with Arduino. Select the “WS2812” type in the library and specify the DATA PIN for the strip. Connect the LED strip's DIN (data input) pin to Arduino PIN 6, and for added protection, place an optional 470-ohm resistor between them.

2. How does the reset time of WS2813 compare to WS2812B?

The WS2813 has a reset time of 250μs, which allows it to operate more efficiently at lower frequencies and on less expensive microcontrollers compared to the WS2812B.

3. What are common uses for WS2813?

WS2813 LEDs are commonly used in applications like guardrail tubes, pixel displays, flexible and rigid strips, modular lighting systems, stage lighting, and innovative electronic gadgets.