Summary
This article discusses using the Macroblock MBI5030, a 16-channel constant current LED driver with PWM control and an SPI-like interface that requires an external grayscale clock. The challenge is to verify the functionality of your code and visually check LED indications without resorting to complex tools like logic analyzers. A practical solution is to use a starter board with the MBI5030 and onboard LEDs, simplifying debugging by avoiding excessive wiring and quickly identifying issues with either the code or datasheet.Parts used in the MBI5030 – 16ch LED constant current LED driver starter board:
- Macroblock MBI5030 LED driver chip
- Onboard LEDs (16 channels)
- External grayscale clock source
- Starter board PCB with appropriate wiring
Macroblock MBI5030, 16-ch constant current LED driver with PWM, SPI-like interface, requires external grayscale clock. Known-good source: Kingelectronics, latest datasheets.
The problem: you need the chip to figure out if your code actually works. And you also need the LEDs to see what’s going on – if at all. You could use a logic analyzer, but that is overkill. Just looking at the LEDs is a much more suitable way. Your code might have insidious bugs, or the datasheet might simply be crap / outdated / obsolete – of course without your knowledge. BUT you surely don’t want to fight wires, at least not during the coding / debugging phase. All you need is the chip + onboard LEDs as indicators.
For more detail: MBI5030 – 16ch LED constant current LED driver starter board
