RGB-PRO DATASHEET

RGB-PRO is a microcontroller custom programmed to it's full capacity with lean machine code to create a stand-alone RGB colour changer for LED lighting that makes rival units look distinctly bland.
It is preprogrammed with 23 effects with up to sixteen speed or colour options as appropriate. These range from psychedelic colour strobing through to very smooth and dignified colour changing with a massive pallete of over 16 million colours and a randomiser that produces a continuous stream of over 8 million data bits for truly random results.
The chip utilises a control technique called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) that switches the outputs on and off at very high speed (about 350Hz). The perceived intensity of LEDs driven by the outputs is varied by changing the on to off ratio. This is the logical way to control led intensity with a microcontroller and is very efficient in that the output drivers are either on or off and therefore dissipate very little heat.
The software routines for controlling the intensity of the LEDs with PWM were originally written in early October 1996 when the first commercial blue LEDs (silicon carbide) became available. The software in this chip has been brought bang up to date (2005) for the brighter Gallium Nitride LED technology.

PIN DESIGNATION.

Pin 1. +5V supply.
Pin 2. Program select input.
Pin 3. Option select input.
Pin 4. Reset. Normally tied to +5v.
Pin 5. Blue channel output.
Pin 6. Green channel output.
Pin 7. Red channel output.
Pin 8. ov (-ve)

The inputs are pulled up to +5v internally by weak pull-up resistors. A normally open momentary button can be connected to pull these pins to 0v when pressed. If the buttons are mounted remotely then it may be necessary to add a further pull up resistor between the input and +5v to minimise the risk of the inputs being affected by stray electrical fields. For electrically arduous situations it may require that a 100nF capacitor is applied across the button contacts.

The outputs are active high and can drive a load of up to 20mA. They can either be used for driving a few LEDs directly or for switching larger power components like MOSFETs.

The chip has internal brown-out and watchdog protection to protect against power supply abnormalities.

When any program selections are made, the chip automatically stores these to non-volatile memory 15 seconds or less after the last button press. This means that the controller will always power up in your preferred setting. Program storage is indicated by a brief blink of the output.

PROGRAM OPTIONS.

RGB-PRO has two distinct program modes. Architectural and FX. In FX mode all programs are available for selection with the program button, but in Architectural mode the flashy effects are locked out and only the dignified effects can be selected.
To change mode between architectural and FX simply press and hold both the Program and Option buttons simultaneously for 15 seconds whereupon the lights connected should go from blue to either red or green. Red indicates architectural mode with the FX programs locked out, while green indicates that the FX have been unlocked. This setting is automatically stored in the chips non-volatile memory. You can change between modes at any time by following the same procedure.

There are four colour palletes used:-

Primary. A fixed selection of saturated primary colours.
Vibrant. A stunning range of saturated colours.
Bright. A range of bright saturated and pastel shades.
Full Spectrum. Every colour that can be achieved from black to white.

The programs available:-

1. Morph and hold with vibrant colours. (Hold delay adjustable.)
2. Morph and hold with bright colours. (Hold delay adjustable.)
3. Morph and hold with full spectrum colours. (Hold delay adjustable.)
4. Red marker to help you find your way through the programs.
5. Sweep continually between vibrant colours.
6. Sweep continually between bright colours.
7. Sweep continually between full spectrum colours.
8. Green marker.
9. Indie dim with each colour "rambling" independently.
10. Indie dim pastels (all colours 25% min).
11. Blue marker.
12. Rainbow. Can be stopped and started on any colour using option button.
13. Rainbow continuous. (Speed adjustable)
14. Black marker.

FX routines below can only be accessed when unit is in FX mode.

15. Colour plasma lightning. (Speed adjustable.)
16. White plasma lightning. (Speed adjustable.)
17. Colour strobe. (Speed adjustable.)
18. Magenta marker. 19. Colour burst with vibrant colours. (Speed adjustable.)
20. Colour burst with bright colours. (Speed adjustable.)
21. Colour burst with full spectrum colours. (Speed adjustable.)
22. Cyan marker. 23. Windswept flame effect. (3 independent.) (Speed adjustable.)
24. Subtle flame effect. (3 independent.) (Speed adjustable.)
25. Yellow marker.
26. Static fixed primary colour. (Selectable.)
27. Random fixed full colour. (Reselectable.)
28. Random fixed vibrant colour. (Reselectable.)
29. Ramping fixed primary colour. (Selectable.)
30. Ramping random colour.
31. White marker.

If both program and option buttons are pressed together briefly the unit will revert to program 1.

After any buttons have been pressed the changes will be stored to non volatile memory after a short delay of up to 15 seconds. this will be indicated by a brief blink of the lights and means that the unit will power up in that mode until further changes are made.

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