W55RP20-Based WS2811 Addressable RGB LED Controller – SCAN & Artnet Powered
W55RP20 drives WS2811 RGB LEDs with SCAN & Artnet, creating dazzling pixel light shows for art, stage, and IoT. Maker: Darren Hedlund.
WIZnet - W55RP20
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If you are looking for a way to control addressable RGB LEDs at scale, this project is for you. Maker Darren Hedlund has built a powerful controller using the WIZnet W55RP20 chip to drive WS2811 pixel LEDs. The result is a dynamic light show system that supports both SCAN protocol and Artnet protocol, making it ideal for art installations, stage lighting, and IoT projects.
🔧 Project Overview
Project Name: W55RP20 LED Pixel Controller
Maker: Darren Hedlund
Main Chip: WIZnet W55RP20
Target Device: WS2811 addressable RGB LEDs (Pixel LEDs)
Protocols Supported: SCAN, Artnet
Applications: Stage shows, concerts, smart home lighting, media façades, IoT lighting
The W55RP20 is not only capable of networking tasks but also has the processing power to handle real-time LED pattern generation across large LED arrays.
⚡ How the Project Works
1. Hardware Setup
- WIZnet W55RP20 development board
- WS2811 RGB LED strips or arrays
- Power supply with sufficient current for large LED counts
- Ethernet or network connection for Artnet data streaming
2. Protocols & Control
- SCAN Mode: Cycles through LEDs in sequence to generate smooth light effects.
- Artnet Mode: Receives data over Ethernet and maps it directly to LED pixels.
- Both modes enable large-scale, synchronized lighting patterns.
3. Development Process
- Started with a small LED strip for testing.
- Expanded to larger installations with hundreds of LEDs.
- Verified smooth control using SCAN and high-performance Artnet streaming.
💡 Key Features & Benefits
Features
- High-performance W55RP20 chip for real-time LED control
- Full support for WS2811 pixel LEDs
- Compatible with SCAN and Artnet protocols
- Scalable to large LED arrays
Applications
- Entertainment: Stage lighting, live shows, concerts
- Art: Interactive light sculptures, architectural façades
- Smart Home: IoT lighting systems with network integration
- Pro Lighting: Integration with existing Artnet-based lighting software
With Artnet support, this project can be directly integrated into professional DMX/lighting setups, making it suitable for both hobbyists and professionals.
👏 Special thanks to Darren Hedlund for sharing his W55RP20 + WS2811 LED controller project. We believe this will inspire more makers to explore network-based LED control and creative applications.
🚀 Want to build your own? Try the WIZnet W55RP20 today and join the growing community of makers pushing the boundaries of IoT and embedded systems.