User Manual

Python & CircuitPython

It's easy to use DotStar LEDs with Python or CircuitPython and the Adafruit CircuitPython DotStar (https://adafru.it/CKG)

module. This module allows you to easily write Python code that controls your LEDs.

You can use these LEDs with any CircuitPython microcontroller board or with a computer that has GPIO and Python

thanks to Adafruit_Blinka, our CircuitPython-for-Python compatibility library (https://adafru.it/BSN).

CircuitPython Microcontroller Wiring

First wire up some DotStars to your board exactly as shown on the previous pages. When using this library, you pass in

the pin names you choose when you create the object. If the LEDs are on hardware SPI pins, they will create a SPI

device. If they're not on a hardware SPI pin combination, they will be bit banged. Wiring up to a hardware SPI pin

combination means they'll respond screaming fast! However, it also means you can't share SPI with anything else. So if

you have the need for another SPI device, you can bit bang but the LEDs will respond more slowly.

Here's an example of wiring a Feather M0 to a DotStar strip to hardware SPI pins:

Board USB to LED 5V

Board GND to LED GND

Board MO to LED DI

Board SCK to LED CI

Here is an example of wiring a Feather M0 to a DotStar strip to bit banged pins:

Board USB to LED 5V

Board GND to LED GND

Board D5 to LED DI

Board D6 to LED CI

Python Computer Wiring

Since there's

dozens

of Linux computers/boards you can use we will show wiring for Raspberry Pi. For other platforms,

please visit the guide for CircuitPython on Linux to see whether your platform is supported (https://adafru.it/BSN).

Here's the Raspberry Pi wired with hardware SPI (faster than bit-bang but you must use a hardware SPI interface and

Do not use the USB pin on your microcontroller for powering more than a few LEDs! For more than that, you'll

want to use an external power source. For more information, check out the Power and Connections page of

this guide: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-dotstar-leds/power-and-connections

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