UCS2912 Pixel Protocol

Manufacturer: Shenzhen Ucs

A WS2812-family single-wire RGB pixel driver in a SOP16 package, self-clocked at a 1600Hz PWM refresh with a wide 5V to 24V supply range.

Specifications

Clock TypeData-Only
Color Resolution8 Bits
Physical PackageSOP16
RGBYes
RGBWNo
Output Pixel Voltage5 - 24V
PWM Rate1600Hz
Suitable CameraUp to 54fps
Redundant Data LineNo

Strengths

  • Single-wire, data-only design needs just one data conductor alongside power, so cabling and connectors are simpler than on two-wire clocked chips and there is no clock line to route or shield.
  • Wide 5V to 24V pixel supply range gives real flexibility in power architecture; running higher voltage reduces voltage drop and injection points over longer runs.
  • The 1600Hz PWM refresh is comfortably flicker-free for the rated 54fps camera work, so it is camera-safe for typical video and broadcast use without relying on inflated refresh figures.

Limitations

  • As a data-only chip the timing is self-clocked and timing-sensitive: long or electrically noisy data lines need careful signal integrity, and with no redundant data line a single failed pixel cuts data to everything downstream of it.
  • Colour resolution is a standard 8 bits per channel (24-bit RGB, no white channel), which is fine for most work but below the higher bit depth some newer drivers offer for very smooth low-level dimming.

Overview

The UCS2912 is a single-wire, individually addressable RGB pixel driver in the WS2812 family, self-clocking its data with no separate clock line. Each IC handles 8 bits per channel (24-bit RGB) and regenerates the signal down the chain. It accepts a wide 5V to 24V supply and runs a 1600Hz PWM refresh, comfortably flicker-free for cameras up to 54fps. ENTTEC pixel controllers (OCTO 71521, PIXELATOR MINI/MK2 70067/70068, DIN PIXIE 73539, PLINK Injectors) drive a wide range of pixel protocols; contact ENTTEC about chips not listed. ENTTEC is not affiliated with Shenzhen Ucs.

Compatible ENTTEC controllers

OCTO
OCTO

Sku: 71521

DIN PIXIE
DIN PIXIE

Sku: 73539

PIXELATOR MINI
PIXELATOR MINI

Sku: 70067

PLink Injector
PLink Injector

Sku: 73-545

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