Control NeoPixel LEDs
Create animated lighting effects with the brightest LEDs connected to your Raspberry Pi Pico.
YOU NEED
» Any Pi Pico
» Micro USB
cable
» Thonny
Editor
» MicroPython firmware
» WS2812B LEDs (with suitable power)
We’re using MicroPython here to control a small set of LEDs. Known as NeoPixels, they are a string of LEDs that are generally multicoloured and can be addressed individually. NeoPixel is the name given to this style of LED by Adafruit, but the same driver is used for a large number of them (WS2811/WS2812), no matter who the manufacturer or supplier. These models are available with separate RGB channels, so that any colour can be made by mixing the values (think of HTML colours). First, download and install MicroPython from https://bit.ly/lxfupdate. Then hold down the Bootsel button on the Pico board and connect to your PC or laptop. Copy the downloaded file to the newly mounted disk, then the Pico W reboots and loads MicroPython.