MY9221 Pixel Protocol

Manufacturer: My-Semi Inc.

The MY9221 is a two-wire clocked LED driver IC offering 16-bit per-channel greyscale and driving RGB pixels across a wide 5 to 24V range.

Specifications

Clock TypeClocked
Color Resolution16 Bits
Physical PackageSOP24
RGBYes
RGBWNo
Output Pixel Voltage5 - 24V
PWM Rate1000Hz
Suitable CameraUp to 34fps
Redundant Data LineNo

Strengths

  • 16-bit per-channel greyscale gives 65,536 steps per colour, enough for smooth low-end fades and banding-free gradients.
  • The wide 5 to 24V pixel operating range suits both low-voltage strip work and higher-voltage runs that reduce voltage drop over distance.
  • The dedicated clock line gives good timing tolerance: data is latched on clock edges instead of relying on tightly toleranced self-clocked pulse widths, which eases longer or electrically noisier runs.

Limitations

  • As a clocked two-wire part it needs an extra clock conductor: more wiring and cost, another point of failure, and a high-frequency clock line that can radiate EMI in sensitive installations. The market is trending toward data-only single-wire chips to avoid both, so the timing-tolerance benefit comes at a real cost rather than being simply better. With no redundant data line, a single break halts the chain downstream.
  • The 1000Hz PWM is adequate and flicker-free for camera use up to the rated 34fps, but leaves little headroom above that; for higher frame-rate or extreme slow-motion capture, confirm it meets your flicker budget rather than assuming the figure scales.

Overview

The MY9221 is a clocked pixel driver that uses two signal lines, a separate data line and clock line, rather than a single self-clocking wire. Each device provides 16-bit greyscale per colour channel for fine gradient control, drives RGB (not RGBW) pixels, and operates across a wide 5 to 24V supply. It ships in an SOP24 package, cascades along a chain, and carries no redundant data line. Its 1000Hz PWM is comfortably flicker-free for camera work up to 34fps. ENTTEC is not affiliated with My-Semi.

Compatible ENTTEC controllers

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ENTTEC has been engineering lighting control in Australia since 1999, and shipping LED pixel controllers since the original Pixelator in 2014.