Below is some information on how to get an 8×8 led matrix working on your Raspberry Pi using C.
I have also included the code needed to get text scrolling.
The matrix I am using is this one from Adafruit. This matrix uses a HT16K33 controller chip and communicates with the Pi via the i2c bus.
Adafruit Small 1.2″ 8×8 LED Matrix w/I2C Backpack – Blue: What’s better than a single LED? Lots of LEDs! A fun way to make a small display is to use an 8×8 matrix or a 4-digit 7-segment display. Matrices like these are ‘multiplexed’ – so to control 64 LEDs you need 16 pins. That’s a lot of pins, and there are driver chips like the MAX7219 that can control a matrix for you but there’s a lot of wiring to set up and they take up a ton of space. Here at Adafruit we feel your pain! After all, wouldn’t it be awesome if you could control a matrix without tons of wiring? That’s where these lovely LED matrix backpacks come in. We have them in three flavors – a mini 0.7″ 8×8, a small 1.2″ 8×8 and a 4-digit 0.56″ 7-segment. They work perfectly with the matrices we stock in the Adafruit shop and make adding a bright little display trivial. (read more)
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