MY9231 Pixel Protocol
Manufacturer: My-Semi Inc.A cascadable two-wire clocked RGB LED driver protocol offering 16-bit per-channel greyscale over a wide 5V to 24V supply range.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Clock Type | Clocked |
| Color Resolution | 16 Bits |
| Physical Package | SOP16 |
| RGB | Yes |
| RGBW | No |
| Output Pixel Voltage | 5 - 24V |
| PWM Rate | 2000Hz |
| Suitable Camera | Up to 67fps |
| Redundant Data Line | No |
Strengths
- 16-bit per-channel colour resolution gives fine control over low-brightness steps and smooth gradients, useful for slow fades and subtle animation where 8-bit chips can band.
- Wide 5V to 24V operating range suits both short 5V runs and longer higher-voltage installs where volt-drop over distance is a concern.
- 2000Hz PWM refresh is comfortably above the row's 67fps camera-safety target, so on-camera capture stays flicker-free for typical broadcast and film use.
Limitations
- Being clocked, it needs a second clock conductor alongside data: that adds wiring and cost, introduces another point of failure, and the high-frequency clock line radiates EMI that can interfere with sensitive installations. The timing tolerance a clock buys is real, but the market is trending toward data-only single-wire chips to avoid both drawbacks, so clocked is not simply 'better'.
- No redundant data line: a single broken data or clock link goes dark for the whole downstream chain, with no automatic failover.
- RGB only, with no white channel, and its 2000Hz refresh, while camera-safe to 67fps, is unremarkable rather than a standout figure. ENTTEC pixel controllers (OCTO 71521, PIXELATOR MINI 70067 and MK2 70068, DIN PIXIE 73539, and PLINK Injectors) drive a wide range of pixel protocols; contact ENTTEC about any chip not listed.
Overview
The MY9231 is a two-wire clocked RGB LED driver: each device takes a separate data line and clock line, latching greyscale values and cascading to the next driver in the chain. It delivers 16-bit per-channel colour resolution for fine low-level dimming and smooth gradients, runs on a wide 5V to 24V supply, and refreshes at 2000Hz, comfortably flicker-free for cameras up to 67fps. It is RGB only, with no white channel or redundant data line. The chip is commonly attributed to My-Semi Inc. ENTTEC is not affiliated with My-Semi Inc.
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.