This module contains python routines to program the WS2812 RGB LED chips on the raspberry, using the hardware SPI MOSI (so no other hardware is needed)

As the WS2812 communication needs strict timing, the DIN line cannot be driven from a normal GPIO line with python (an interrupt on the raspberry would screw things up). Thats' why this module uses the hardware SPI MOSI line, this does confirm to the timing requirements.

More info on the WS2812: https://wp.josh.com/2014/05/13/ws2812-neopixels-are-not-so-finicky-once-you-get-to-know-them/

Connections from the Raspberry to the WS2812:

WS2812     Raspberry
GND   --   GND. At least one of pin 6, 9, 14, 20, 25
DIN   --   MOSI, Pin 19, GPIO 10
VCC   --   5V. At least one of pin 2 or 4

Of course the WS2812 can (should) be chained, the DOUT of the first connected to the DIN of the next, and so on.

First, enable the SPI hardware module on the SPI, using raspi-config, in Advanced Options / SPI, and enabling the SPI interface and the module loading: sudo raspi-config

Then, get the python spidev module:

git clone https://github.com/doceme/py-spidev.git
cd py-spidev
make
make install

This module can be tested using: python ws2812.py

Sample program that uses the module:

import spidev
import ws2812
spi = spidev.SpiDev()
spi.open(0,0)

#write 4 WS2812's, with the following colors: red, green, blue, yellow
ws2812.write2812(spi, [[10,0,0], [0,10,0], [0,0,10], [10,10,0]])

Orange Pi Zero, Armbian_5.91_Orangepizero_Debian_buster_next_4.19.59, 31.10.2019

sudo armbian-config System -> Toggle hardware configuration -> spi-spidev

(didn't specify SPI1, there is no pinout for SPI0, SPI0 is for flash)

edit /boot/armbianEnv.txt and add "param_spidev_spi_bus=1" (skip with Orange Pi PC):

overlays=spi-spidev usbhost2 usbhost3
param_spidev_spi_bus=1

Now you get /dev/spidev1.0 (or /dev/spidev0.0 with Orange Pi PC).

DIN to pin19/SPI1_MOSI/GPIO15/PA15, GND->GND, VCC->5V.

/etc/udev/rules.d/50-spi.rules:

SUBSYSTEM=="spidev", GROUP="spiuser", MODE="0660"

sudo groupadd spiuser
sudo adduser "$USER" spiuser
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo modprobe -r spidev; sudo modprobe spidev
# logout out and login to update user group

sudo apt install python3-pip python3-setuptools python3-dev python3-wheel python3-numpy
sudo pip3 install spidev
sudo pip3 install git+https://github.com/joosteto/ws2812-spi
sudo sed -i 's/str(err)/(str(err))/g' /usr/local/lib/python3.7/dist-packages/ws2812.py

#!/usr/bin/env python3
import spidev
import ws2812
spi = spidev.SpiDev()
spi.open(1,0) # use spi.open(0,0) with Orange Pi PC

#write 4 WS2812's, with the following colors: red, green, blue, yellow (GRB)
ws2812.write2812(spi, [[0,10,0], [10,0,0], [0,0,10], [10,10,0]])

/usr/local/lib/python3.7/dist-packages/ws2812.py

modify write2812_numpy4(spi,data)-function:

    tx = numpy.insert(tx, 0, 0x00) # fix first green led
    spi.max_speed_hz = int(4/1.05e-6) # fix flickering
    spi.writebytes(tx.tolist()) # fix flickering

or use https://github.com/mcgurk/ws2812-spi/blob/master/ws2812.py

todo...

Note: this module tries to use numpy, if available. Without numpy it still works, but is really slow (more than a second to update 300 LED's on a Raspberry Pi Zero). So, if possible, do:

sudo apt install python-numpy