SM16803 Pixel Protocol
Manufacturer: Sunmoon MicroelectronicsA single-wire, individually addressable RGB pixel driver IC in an SOP8 package, running on a wide 5 to 30V supply for longer, higher-voltage runs.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Clock Type | Data-Only |
| Color Resolution | 8 Bits |
| Physical Package | SOP8 |
| RGB | Yes |
| RGBW | No |
| Output Pixel Voltage | 5 - 30V |
| PWM Rate | 4000Hz |
| Suitable Camera | Up to 133fps |
| Redundant Data Line | No |
Strengths
- Wide 5 to 30V supply range: unlike fixed-5V pixels, it can run 12V or 24V strings, cutting voltage drop and allowing longer runs between injection points.
- Single-wire, self-clocking interface needs only one DATA conductor plus power and ground, keeping cabling and connectors simple with no separate clock line to route.
- 4000Hz PWM is comfortably flicker-free for the rated 133fps, giving a sensible margin for broadcast and on-camera use without chasing needlessly higher refresh figures.
Limitations
- 8-bit per channel (256 levels each, 24-bit RGB total) is standard but can show visible banding on slow, low-level fades where more bit depth would help.
- No redundant data line and a timing-sensitive single-wire signal: one broken joint or pixel drops all downstream pixels, and long runs demand clean signal integrity.
Overview
The SM16803 is a data-only, single-wire addressable RGB pixel driver: one self-clocking DATA line carries 24-bit colour (8 bits per channel) and each device latches its slot before passing the rest downstream. Housed in an SOP8 package and operating across a wide 5 to 30V supply, it suits 12V and 24V strings where a higher rail reduces voltage drop over long runs. Its 4000Hz PWM is comfortably flicker-free for camera work up to 133fps. It carries no redundant data line, so a single break blacks out everything downstream. It is commonly attributed to Sunmoon Microelectronics. ENTTEC is not affiliated with Sunmoon Microelectronics.
Mapping an installation? ELM, ENTTEC's free LED pixel mapping software, drives the controllers above over Art-Net and sACN, from a single fixture to building-scale maps.
ENTTEC has been engineering lighting control in Australia since 1999, and shipping LED pixel controllers since the original Pixelator in 2014.