SENSORS/ACTUATORS

Arduino MicroPython LED Matrix

This tutorial teaches you how to use Arduino with LED matrix display modules using MicroPython programming. Specifically, you will learn:

How to connect the Arduino Giga R1 WiFi to an 8x8 LED Matrix
How to connect the Arduino Giga R1 WiFi to a 32x8 LED Matrix
How to write MicroPython code for Arduino to display text and numbers on the LED Matrix
How to write MicroPython code for Arduino to scroll text on the LED Matrix
How to write MicroPython code for Arduino to display custom characters on the LED Matrix

You can easily modify the code to work with other LED matrices, such as the 16x8 or 64x8 LED matrix.

Hardware Preparation

1	×	Arduino Giga R1 WiFi
1	×	USB Cable Type-C
1	×	FC-16 LED Matrix 32x8
1	×	FC-16 LED Matrix 8x8
1	×	Jumper Wires
1	×	DC Power Jack
1	×	5V Power Adapter
1	×	(Recommended) Screw Terminal Block Shield for Arduino Uno/Mega/Giga
1	×	(Recommended) Breadboard Shield For Arduino Mega/Giga
1	×	(Recommended) Enclosure For Arduino Giga
1	×	(Recommended) Power Splitter For Arduino Giga

Or you can buy the following sensor kits:

1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays)
1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)

Disclosure: Some of the links provided in this section are Amazon affiliate links. We may receive a commission for any purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
Additionally, some of these links are for products from our own brand, DIYables.

Overview of LED Matrix

There are different types of LED matrices, but the MAX7219-based LED matrix is commonly used with Arduino. The MAX7219-based LED matrix offers the following features:

The basic unit of the LED matrix is a block.
Each block contains an 8x8 LED matrix (64 LEDs) and a MAX7219 driver.
LED matrices can be created using a single block or by chaining multiple blocks together.
Pre-assembled LED matrices with multiple blocks are available, such as 4-in-1 or 8-in-1 configurations.
Alternatively, you can purchase individual blocks and connect them to form a matrix of your desired size. You can also chain 1-in-1, 4-in-1, or 8-in-1 LED matrices together.
The size of the LED matrix must be specified in your Arduino code.

Pinout

A LED Matrix consists of one or more sections. Each section has two types of connectors:

Group of Input Pins:

VCC: Connect to the 5V.
GMD: Connect to the GND.
DIN: This is the Data pin. Connect to the SPI MOSI pin on the Arduino.
CS: Chip Select. Connect to any digital pin on the Arduino.
CLK: Clock pin. Connect to the SPI CLK pin on the Arduino.

Group of Output Pins:

VCC: Connect this to VCC on the next module.
GND: Connect this to GMD on the next module.
DOUT: Data Out. Connect to the DIN pin on the next module.
CS: Connect this to CS on the next module.
CLK: Connect this to CLK on the next module.

Wiring Diagram

Since the display uses a lot of power (up to 1A at full brightness), avoid using the 5V pin on the Arduino for power. Instead, use an external 5V power supply, and the Arduino and LED matrix can share power from the same 5V adapter.

How to connect Arduino and led matrix using breadboard

If the LED matrix has only one block:

Attach the groups of input pins to the Arduino.
Do not connect the groups of output pins.

The wiring diagram between Arduino MicroPython 8x8 LED matrix FC-16

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

If the LED matrix is already put together into several sections:

Connect the input pins group to the Arduino.
Do not connect the output pins group.

The wiring diagram between Arduino MicroPython LED matrix display

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

If you put together the LED matrix using different components:

Connect the first block's input pins to the Arduino.
Connect each block's output pins to the next block's input pins.
Do not connect the last block's output pins.

Arduino MicroPython 32x8 LED matrix wiring FC-16 diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

Arduino - LED Matrix Code

The below Arduino MicroPython code is written for a 32x8 FC-16 LED matrix display consisting of four blocks. However, it can be easily modified to accommodate different sizes like 8x8, 16x8, 64x8, and others.

Detailed Instructions

Please follow these instructions step by step:

Ensure that Thonny IDE is installed on your computer.
Ensure that MicroPython firmware is installed on your Arduino board by.
If this is your first time using a Arduino with MicroPython, refer to the Arduino MicroPython Getting Started tutorial for detailed instructions.
Connect the Arduino board to the LED matrix according to the provided diagram.
Connect the Arduino board to your computer with a USB cable.
Open Thonny IDE and go to Tools Options.
Under the Interpreter tab, select MicroPython (generic) from the dropdown menu.
Select the COM port corresponding to your Arduino board (e.g., COM33 on Windows or /dev/ttyACM0 on Linux).
Navigate to the Tools Manage packages on the Thonny IDE.
Search “DIYables-MicroPython-LED-Matrix”, then find the LED Matrix library created by DIYables.
Click on DIYables-MicroPython-LED-Matrix, then click Install button to install LED Matrix library.

Copy the above code and paste it to the Thonny IDE's editor.
Save the script to your Arduino board by:

Click the Save button, or use Ctrl+S keys.
In the save dialog, you will see two sections: This computer and MicroPython device. Select MicroPython device
Save the file as main.py

Click the green Run button (or press F5) to run the script. The script will execute.
Check out the LED matrix. It looks like the below:

Arduino MicroPython LED matrix display text

The actual display lighting looks much better than it appears in the image. The camera is unable to accurately capture the true colors of the lighting.

Arduino MicroPython LED Matrix Code – Scrolling Text

When your message is too long for the LED matrix display, you can scroll it across the screen. The MicroPython code below for Arduino demonstrates how to scroll a message on the LED matrix display.

""" This Arduino MicroPython script was developed by newbiely.com This Arduino MicroPython script is made available for public use without any restriction For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit: https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-micropython/arduino-micropython-led-matrix """ from machine import Pin, SPI from time import sleep from DIYables_MicroPython_LED_Matrix import Max7219 # Initialize SPI and CS pin spi = SPI(5, baudrate=10000000, polarity=0, phase=0) # The Arduino Giga WiFi SPI5 cs = Pin('D10', Pin.OUT) # The Arduino Giga WiFi pin D10 connected to the CS pin # Initialize the Max7219 class led_matrix = Max7219(spi, cs, num_matrices=4) led_matrix.set_brightness(15) # Adjust brightness from 0 to 15 def scroll_text(message): # Scroll the message from right to left led_matrix.print(message, col = 32) # Text starts from the right (x=32) and moves left for i in range(len(message) * 8 + 32): # Scroll through the entire message led_matrix.clear() led_matrix.print(message, col = 32 - i) # Move text from right to left led_matrix.show() sleep(0.05) # change speed here while True: scroll_text("Hello, DIYables") # Change text as needed

Detailed Instructions

Copy the provided Arduino MicroPython code and paste it into Thonny's editor.
Save the MicroPython code to your Arduino board.
Click the green Run button (or press F5) to execute the code.
Check out the LED matrix. The scrolling effect looks like the below:

Arduino MicroPython LED Matrix - Custom Character

To display special characters or symbols such as a heart or an angry bird on an LED Matrix display, you need to use the character generator.

The character generator makes a character (64 pixels). You just need to follow these steps:

Click on each pixel to select/deselect

Copy below custom character code

Replace the custom_char in the Arduino MicroPython code

The Arduino MicroPython code below displays three custom characters on the 32x8 LED matrix:

""" This Arduino MicroPython script was developed by newbiely.com This Arduino MicroPython script is made available for public use without any restriction For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit: https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-micropython/arduino-micropython-led-matrix """ from machine import Pin, SPI from time import sleep from DIYables_MicroPython_LED_Matrix import Max7219 # Initialize SPI and CS pin spi = SPI(5, baudrate=10000000, polarity=0, phase=0) # The Arduino Giga WiFi SPI5 cs = Pin('D10', Pin.OUT) # The Arduino Giga WiFi pin D10 connected to the CS pin # Initialize the Max7219 class led_matrix = Max7219(spi, cs, num_matrices=4) led_matrix.set_brightness(15) # Adjust brightness from 0 to 15 # Clear the display led_matrix.clear() led_matrix.show() custom_char_1 = [ 0b00000000, 0b00000000, 0b00000000, 0b11110000, 0b00000000, 0b00000000, 0b00000000, 0b00000000 ] custom_char_2 = [ 0b00000000, 0b01101100, 0b10010010, 0b10000010, 0b10000010, 0b01000100, 0b00101000, 0b00010000 ] custom_char_3 = [ 0b00000000, 0b00100000, 0b00010000, 0b11111000, 0b00010000, 0b00100000, 0b00000000, 0b00000000 ] # Clear the display led_matrix.clear() led_matrix.print_custom_char(custom_char_1, col = 0) led_matrix.print_custom_char(custom_char_2, col = 4) led_matrix.print_custom_char(custom_char_3, col = 11) led_matrix.show()

Detailed Instructions

Copy the provided Arduino MicroPython code and paste it into Thonny's editor.
Save the MicroPython code to your Arduino board.
Click the green Run button (or press F5) to execute the code.
Check out the LED matrix. It looks like the below:

Arduino MicroPython LED matrix custom characters

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