MBI6020 Pixel Protocol
Manufacturer: MacroblockA two-wire clocked RGB LED driver with 10-bit per-channel PWM, a wide 5-12V pixel supply, and a cascadable SOP16 package.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Clock Type | Clocked |
| Color Resolution | 10 Bits |
| Physical Package | SOP16 |
| RGB | Yes |
| RGBW | No |
| Output Pixel Voltage | 5 - 12V |
| PWM Rate | 9766Hz |
| Suitable Camera | Up to 326fps |
| Redundant Data Line | No |
Strengths
- 10-bit per-channel PWM (1024 levels) gives fine tonal gradation for smooth fades and gradients, more headroom than 8-bit parts at low intensities.
- The separate clock line makes bit timing tolerant of cable length and edge-rate variation, which can help maintain reliable data over longer runs than tightly timed single-wire chips.
- Wide 5-12V pixel voltage supports 12V string designs, reducing voltage drop and the number of power-injection points on long installs.
- A ~9.77kHz PWM rate is comfortably flicker-free and camera-safe for typical broadcast and film capture, rated here up to 326fps.
Limitations
- Being clocked, it needs a second (clock) conductor: extra wiring and connector cost, another point of failure, and a high-frequency clock line that radiates EMI and can cause interference in sensitive installations. The timing tolerance is genuine but comes at that cost, and the market is trending toward data-only single-wire chips to avoid both.
- RGB only, with no dedicated white channel, so it is not suited to installs that need a discrete or high-quality white.
- No redundant data line: a single break or failed pixel stops all data to the rest of the chain, with no automatic bypass.
- The 9766Hz PWM rate is more than adequate for camera-safety at the rated 326fps, but treat it as 'comfortably flicker-free' rather than a headline figure; pushing refresh higher typically trades away usable bit depth and adds little real-world benefit past a sensible margin.
Overview
The MBI6020 is a clocked RGB pixel driver that uses two signal lines, separate DATA and CLOCK, rather than a self-clocking single-wire scheme. Each SOP16 device drives three constant-current channels with 10-bit (1024-level) PWM per channel, cascading data down the chain for individually addressable control. It accepts a wide 5-12V pixel supply, letting integrators build 12V strings with fewer power-injection points. It is RGB only (no white channel) and carries no redundant data line. ENTTEC is not affiliated with Macroblock.
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.