Charlieplex displays use a unique wiring structure so many LEDs can be controlled with just a few shared wires. There are even specialized driver chips like the IS31FL3731 which can control a large number of Charlieplexed LEDs using pulse-width modulation to dim and brighten them at different intensity levels. Adafruit’s Charlieplex FeatherWing and breakout use this driver chip to make a large matrix of tiny LEDs that are super easy to control. Using a MicroPython IS31FL3731 module you can even control Charlieplex matrices from MicroPython code! This guide explores how to use the Charlieplex FeatherWing and breakout with MicroPython.
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Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
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