Using SPI to Control WS2812b

[ethanm3]

Hello!

I purchased a Raspberry Pi in order to control a matrix of WS2812b pixels using QLC+. I am running into some issues right now, and would love some pointers:

1) I downloaded an am running the RPi QLC+ program - in my workspace I go to Inputs/Outputs and the SPI Plugin only says "none" under Devices. and has no options for Output. When I click the Configure icon, or double click SPI, the option is only to control transmission frequency. I How do I enable SPI so that I can control my pixels?

2) Am I limited by DMX universes? What I mean is, since my LED matrix is over 170 pixels it takes up more than one universe - can I still run this line of pixels through just one output, or do I need multiple outputs in order control my lights?

Using RPi 3. Installed QLC+ for RPi version 4.11.0
Matrix is 19 pixels width, 14 pixels height

Thank you!

-Ethan

[mcallegari]

See this: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10248

[ethanm3]

I saw this thread, and downloaded that library only my RPi, but I still do not see any options for SPI output on my QLC+ Input/Output screen. Am I missing a piece? Am I able to use QLC or just scripts using this library?

Thank you.

[mcallegari]

Are you using my image ?
Cause on my RPi 3 I correctly see SPI CS0 as output device.

[0perat0r]

Well, Massimo's RPi image may be able to drive the raspberry's SPI pins. However, your problem will be, that WS8212b doesn't speak SPI (same for WS8211 and WS8212).

I implemented a solution based on the defaul Raspbian image using python and bit banging.
It works as an ArtNet client in the local network.

Have a look here: https://keawe.de/en/led-matrix