UCS8904 Pixel Protocol
Manufacturer: Shenzhen UcsA single-wire, self-clocking addressable RGBW pixel IC offering 16-bit per-channel colour depth across a wide 5 to 24V range, in two PWM variants.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Clock Type | Data-Only |
| Color Resolution | 16 Bits |
| Physical Package | SOP8 |
| RGB | No |
| RGBW | Yes |
| Output Pixel Voltage | 5 - 24V |
| PWM Rate | UCS8904A: 1000Hz UCS8904B: 4000Hz |
| Suitable Camera | UCS8904A: Up to 34fps UCS8904B: Up to 133fps |
| Redundant Data Line | No |
Strengths
- 16-bit resolution per channel is high for a pixel IC, allowing very fine colour steps and smoother low-level dimming than the common 8-bit parts, which helps with subtle gradients and slow fades.
- Native RGBW (four channels including a dedicated white) rather than mixing white from RGB, giving cleaner whites and pastel tones for architectural and stage work.
- Single-wire, self-clocking data with no separate clock conductor keeps wiring simple, and the wide 5 to 24V operating range suits both short low-voltage runs and longer higher-voltage installs.
Limitations
- Being data-only with no redundant data line, a single failed pixel or broken data joint interrupts the chain and blanks every pixel downstream; single-wire timing is also sensitive to cable length and signal integrity on long runs.
- The two variants differ sharply for camera work: the UCS8904A at 1000Hz PWM is only comfortably flicker-free to about 34fps and can beat against higher frame rates or fast shutters, so choose the UCS8904B (4000Hz, to about 133fps) for broadcast and slow-motion capture. Beyond a sensible margin over your target frame rate the higher PWM figure adds little practical benefit.
Overview
The UCS8904 is a single-wire, self-clocking addressable RGBW pixel IC in an SOP8 package. It drives four channels (red, green, blue and a dedicated white) at 16-bit resolution per channel, giving fine gradients and smooth low-end dimming, and operates across a wide 5 to 24V range. It ships in two variants: the UCS8904A (1000Hz PWM, comfortably flicker-free to roughly 34fps) and the UCS8904B (4000Hz PWM, camera-safe to roughly 133fps). ENTTEC pixel controllers such as 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. 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.