APA104 Pixel Protocol
Manufacturer: APA Electronic (commonly attributed)A single-wire, self-clocking 24-bit RGB pixel with an integrated controller per LED, WS2812-family but with tighter timing tolerance.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Clock Type | Data-Only |
| Color Resolution | 8 Bits |
| Physical Package | SMD5050 with integrated LEDs |
| RGB | Yes |
| RGBW | No |
| Output Pixel Voltage | 5 - 12V |
| PWM Rate | 400Hz |
| Suitable Camera | Flickering may be visible |
| Redundant Data Line | No |
Strengths
- Single-wire self-clocking design: only one data conductor plus power per run, no clock line to route, terminate, or shield, which simplifies wiring versus two-wire clocked chips.
- Wide 5 to 12V operating range (per the row) lets integrators run higher-voltage strings to reduce voltage drop and injection points on longer runs.
- Standard SMD5050 footprint with 8-bit-per-channel (24-bit) RGB and WS2812-family timing, but with improved timing stability for more dependable long chains, keeping it compatible with common pixel controllers.
Limitations
- The 400Hz PWM refresh is comfortable for the naked eye but the row marks it likely to show visible flicker on camera: at that rate it will show visible flicker or banding on video, broadcast, and slow-motion capture, so it is a poor choice for any on-camera installation.
- No redundant data line: a single failed pixel breaks the signal to every pixel downstream, and 8-bit-per-channel resolution limits smoothness at very low dimming levels.
Overview
The APA104 is a single-wire, data-only RGB pixel: each SMD5050 package carries an integrated controller that latches its own 24-bit value (8 bits per channel) and forwards the rest of the stream down the chain, so only one data conductor plus power is needed and no separate clock line is run. It belongs to the WS2812 family but offers tighter timing tolerance for more reliable longer runs, and the row rates it across a 5 to 12V operating range. Its 400Hz PWM refresh suits static and human-eye viewing but is likely to show visible flicker on camera. ENTTEC is not affiliated with APA Electronic.
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.