WS2818 Pixel Protocol
Manufacturer: Worldsemi
A single-wire, individually addressable 5 to 24V RGB pixel protocol with 8-bit-per-channel colour and a redundant backup data line for chain reliability.
Specifications
| Clock Type | Data-Only |
| Color Resolution | 8 Bits |
| Physical Package | SOP8 |
| RGB | Yes |
| RGBW | No |
| Output Pixel Voltage | 5 - 24V |
| PWM Rate | 2000Hz |
| Suitable Camera | Up to 67fps |
| Redundant Data Line | Yes |
Strengths
- Single-wire, self-clocking wiring: only power, ground and one data conductor per run, which keeps cabling simple and cheap versus two-wire clocked chips.
- Redundant (backup) data line means one dead pixel does not automatically break the downstream chain, improving reliability on longer installs.
- Wide 5 to 24V pixel supply range gives flexibility on run length and voltage-drop budgeting, and its 2000Hz PWM is comfortably flicker-free for video capture up to 67fps.
Limitations
- As a data-only single-wire protocol it is timing-sensitive: long leader runs, marginal signal levels or slow logic-level shifting can corrupt the bitstream, so data injection and level buffering matter on large rigs.
- Colour resolution is fixed at 8 bits per channel (24-bit RGB) with no dedicated white channel, so very smooth low-level fades and true white mixing are more limited than on RGBW or higher-bit-depth parts.
Overview
The WS2818 is a data-only, single-wire addressable RGB protocol from the WS281x family: each pixel carries an integrated driver IC that latches its 24-bit (8 bits per channel) colour word and forwards the remainder down the self-clocking data line. It runs across a 5 to 24V supply range, refreshes at a 2000Hz PWM rate that is comfortably flicker-free for cameras up to 67fps, and adds a redundant data line so a single failed pixel need not break the whole run. Packaged as SOP8, it is RGB only (no dedicated white channel). ENTTEC is not affiliated with Worldsemi.
Compatible ENTTEC controllers
Sku: 71521
Sku: 73539
Sku: 70067
Sku: 70068
Sku: 73-545
Sku: 73924
ENTTEC has been engineering lighting control in Australia since 1999, and shipping LED pixel controllers since the original Pixelator in 2014.