UCS7804 Pixel Protocol
Manufacturer: Shenzhen UcsA single-wire, data-only addressable LED protocol with an on-chip driver, 8-bit per channel colour, a wide 5 to 30V range, and RGB or RGBW output.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Clock Type | Data-Only |
| Color Resolution | 8 Bits |
| Physical Package | SOP8 |
| RGB | Yes |
| RGBW | Yes |
| Output Pixel Voltage | 5 - 30V |
| PWM Rate | 16,000Hz |
| Suitable Camera | Up to 533fps |
| Redundant Data Line | No |
Strengths
- Single-wire, data-only wiring: only one data conductor is needed alongside power and ground, so there is no clock line to route, terminate, or fail, keeping cabling and connectors simple.
- Wide 5 to 30V operating range gives flexibility for longer power runs and higher-voltage strings, unlike fixed 5V parts, and both RGB and RGBW variants are available.
- 16kHz PWM is comfortably flicker-free for on-camera use up to 533fps, so it is a safe choice for broadcast and film capture at typical frame rates.
Limitations
- No redundant data line: because data is passed pixel to pixel on a single path, one failed pixel or broken joint interrupts every pixel downstream, with no backup route to carry the signal past the fault.
- 8 bits per channel is standard depth, not high-resolution, so very smooth low-level fades and deep dimming are more limited than on higher bit-depth chips; the single-wire protocol is also timing-sensitive, so cable length and signal integrity need care.
Overview
The UCS7804 is a data-only, single-wire addressable LED driver protocol: each pixel carries one self-clocking data line (plus power and ground) with no separate clock conductor. It handles 8 bits per channel and is available in RGB and RGBW configurations, driven at a 16kHz PWM rate that is comfortably flicker-free for camera work up to 533fps. Its 5 to 30V operating range suits longer power runs and higher-voltage strings, and the driver is packaged as an SOP8. No redundant data line is provided. ENTTEC is not affiliated with Shenzhen Ucs.
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.