TX1818 Pixel Protocol
A 12V single-wire addressable RGB pixel IC running an 8kHz PWM refresh, with a redundant backup data line for break-point continuous operation.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Clock Type | Data-Only |
| Color Resolution | 8 Bits |
| Physical Package | SMD5050 with integrated LEDs |
| RGB | Yes |
| RGBW | No |
| Output Pixel Voltage | 12V |
| PWM Rate | 8000Hz |
| Suitable Camera | Up to 266fps |
| Redundant Data Line | Yes |
Strengths
- 12V operation supports longer runs and fewer power-injection points than 5V single-wire chips, simplifying wiring on larger installations.
- The redundant (backup) data line provides break-point continuous transmission: a single dead pixel does not black out the rest of the string downstream.
- Single-wire self-clocking design needs only one data conductor per run, and the 8000Hz PWM refresh is comfortably flicker-free for on-camera use at the rated 266fps.
Limitations
- 8-bit per-channel depth (24-bit RGB, ~16.7M colours) is standard but can show visible banding on slow, low-level fades compared with higher-bit-depth parts; the 8000Hz PWM rate is more than adequate for the rated 266fps and adds little practical benefit beyond that camera-safety margin.
- Single-wire timing is tight, so reliable operation depends on clean signal quality (short stubs, correct logic levels, sound grounding); the redundant data line mitigates a single dead pixel but does not remove the need for good cabling, and the 12V feed is dropped internally per node so it raises per-pixel heat without improving colour resolution.
Overview
The TX1818 is a data-only (single-wire) addressable RGB pixel driver housed in an SMD5050 package with integrated LEDs. It is self-clocking, carrying both data and timing on one line, and operates at 12V, which supports longer cable runs and wider power-injection spacing than 5V single-wire parts. Each channel is driven at 8 bits (24-bit RGB) with an 8000Hz PWM refresh that is comfortably flicker-free for on-camera capture up to 266fps. A redundant data line lets the string skip a failed pixel and keep the downstream nodes running.
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.