SM16703 Pixel Protocol
Manufacturer: Shenzhen SunMoon MicroelectronicsThe SM16703 is a single-wire, self-clocking 24-bit RGB pixel IC offered in 5V through 24V variants, with stable timing for long addressable runs.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Clock Type | Data-Only |
| Color Resolution | 8 Bits |
| Physical Package | SOP8 |
| RGB | Yes |
| RGBW | No |
| Output Pixel Voltage | 5 - 24V |
| PWM Rate | 1200Hz |
| Suitable Camera | Up to 40fps |
| Redundant Data Line | No |
Strengths
- Single-wire, self-clocking design: only one data conductor runs pixel to pixel, so cabling is simpler and there is no separate clock line to route, unlike two-wire clocked chips.
- Wide 5V to 24V range across variants: higher-voltage parts cut voltage drop along a strip and reduce how often power must be injected on long runs.
- 1200Hz PWM is comfortably flicker-free at the stated up-to-40fps capture, giving a sensible camera-safe margin for typical film and broadcast frame rates without chasing higher-is-better refresh figures.
Limitations
- 8-bit per-channel resolution (256 levels per colour) is standard for this class but can reveal banding on slow, deep fades at low output; no higher bit depth is available on this part.
- As a timing-sensitive single-wire protocol with no redundant data line, one failed IC or a broken data joint blacks out every pixel downstream, and long low-speed data runs remain sensitive to reflections and noise, so keep segments short and buffer where needed.
Overview
The SM16703 is a single-wire, self-clocking addressable RGB pixel driver in an SOP8 package. Each IC latches 24-bit RGB data (8 bits per channel), regenerates the signal, and forwards the remainder to the next pixel, so only one data conductor runs pixel to pixel. It is offered in variants spanning 5V to 24V, suiting tape and node runs where a self-clocking protocol keeps cabling simple. ENTTEC pixel controllers, including the OCTO (71521), PIXELATOR MINI and MK2 (70067/70068), DIN PIXIE (73539) and PLINK Injectors, drive a wide range of pixel protocols; contact ENTTEC about chips not listed. The SM16703 is commonly attributed to Shenzhen SunMoon Microelectronics. ENTTEC is not affiliated with Shenzhen SunMoon Microelectronics.
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.