TM1914 Pixel Protocol
Manufacturer: Titan Micro ElectronicsThe TM1914 is a single-wire, individually addressable RGB pixel IC with 8-bit colour, a redundant backup data line, and a wide 5 to 24V supply range.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Clock Type | Data-Only |
| Color Resolution | 8 Bits |
| Physical Package | SOP10 |
| RGB | Yes |
| RGBW | No |
| Output Pixel Voltage | 5 - 24V |
| PWM Rate | 666Hz |
| Suitable Camera | Up to 23fps |
| Redundant Data Line | Yes |
Strengths
- Single-wire interface: one data conductor alongside power and ground keeps cabling, connectors, and pixel-board layout simpler than a two-wire clocked chip, with no separate clock line to route.
- Redundant backup data line: a second data path lets the string survive one failed IC without the rest of the run going dark, which is genuinely useful on long or hard-to-service installs.
- Wide 5 to 24V operating range plus standard 24-bit RGB (8 bits per channel): higher-voltage operation cuts voltage drop and the number of power-injection points needed over distance.
Limitations
- Single-wire timing is strict: the self-clocking scheme depends on precise pulse widths, so long or electrically noisy cable runs can corrupt data, and there is no separate clock to resynchronise on if the waveform degrades.
- 666Hz PWM and 8-bit depth are modest: comfortably flicker-free for typical use and the rated up-to-23fps camera work, but a short shutter or higher-frame-rate cinema capture leaves limited headroom, and 8 bits gives fewer smooth steps at the bottom of the dimming curve than higher-bit parts.
Overview
The TM1914 is a single-wire, self-clocking RGB pixel driver in the same family as the WS2812, carrying 24-bit colour (8 bits per channel) down one timing-sensitive data line. Its distinguishing feature is a redundant backup data input: if one IC in the chain fails, the next pixel can continue from the backup data path, improving reliability on long runs. It accepts a wide 5 to 24V supply and ships in a compact SOP10 package. ENTTEC is not affiliated with Titan Micro Electronics.
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.