Led Matrix 32x64

A FPGA-based interface controller for Limpkin's RGB LED matrices.

Matrix reference

• size: 64x32 RGB LEDs (127x256mm)
• organization: 2 blocks (upper and lower) with each 16 lines à 64 LEDs
• (6) 64 bit shift registers
• input pins:
  • R, G, B for each upper and lower: R1, G1, B1, R2, G2, B2; 1 = LED on
  • clock (next bit, rising edge)
  • latch (latch shifted data to output, rising edge)
  • enable (drives LEDs from latched data?, 0 = enable)
  • 5V signals
  • 40ns period = 25MHz max.
• ~4A with full matrix in white color
• price: ~ 150.- USD

Overview

• FPGA drives 1 or more (up to 4?) matrices
• use block ram or external SRAM for frame buffer storage
• interface with PC

Feature ideas

• double buffering
• larger off-screen buffer + compositing ops?
• character generation
• update only sections
• small CPU core to execute short programs?

Components

Memory

External SRAM needs to be fast enough to handle all reads during one cycle. Per connected matrix we need to read 6 bytes per cycle. Clearly this would require use to run at 150MHz, which is infeasible. If we use a separate chip per matrix block (6 chips or 3 chips with 16bit width), we can still operate with 25MHz.

Concurrent writes need to be possible, but at a lower speed. Either buffer reads and slip in writes when there is slack (complicated), or alternate between reads and writes at higher speed (DDR?).