This adaptor board connects Teensy 3.1 to thousands of LEDs using the OctoWS2811 Library.
The adaptor features a 74HCT245 buffer chip and 100 ohm impedance matching resistors. CAT6 Ethernet cable is used from this board to the LED strips. CAT6 cable is designed for very high bandwidth, minimal cross-talk between twisted pairs, and 100 ohm impedance, for a very high quality signal. The RJ-45 network jacks allow your LED array to be easily disconnected from the electronics.
Four self-threading screws are supplied with the OctoWS2811 Adaptor board.
Teensy 3.1 is added on top of the adaptor using stacking header pins, or a header and socket pair if you wish to be able to remove the Teensy 3.1 board.
This adaptor board is designed to fit inside a CableGaurd 500 Coax Demarcation Enclosure (not sold by PJRC). The CG-500 is a very durable enclosure meant for outdoor applications. The outside size is approximately 6.5 by 8 inches (16.5 by 20.3 cm). Even though this is the smallest CableGaurd enclosure, there's plenty of room inside for even two OctoWS2811 adaptors.
The included self-threading screws fit the mounting posts on the CG-500 enclosure.
The eight LED outputs are sent on two CAT6 Ethernet cables.
To prepare the data cables, simply cut a CAT6 Ethernet cable in half and carefully strip away the outer jacket to expose long enough sections of the twisted pairs to reach all of your LED strips. Each twisted pair feeds the data input and ground of a single strip.
For best results, the LED power supply ground and Teensy signal ground should meet at or near the LED strip signal inputs. The LED power supplies should be located at close as possible to the LED strips and connected with large diameter wires, to minimize voltage loss due to high current flow.
If Teensy 3.1 will be powered by the LED strip power supply, 5V and ground wires should be run together with the CAT6 cables and connected to the +5V and GND pads on the adaptor boards. The 5.08 mm spacing terminal block may be soldered to the adaptor board, or the wires can be soldered directly. Of course, the VIN-VUSB pads on Teensy 3.1 should be cut apart if Teensy 3.1 receives external power, to avoid feeding the LED power back into your computer.
Short, heavy wires for power, with signal and power grounds meeting at the LED strips provides the highest quality signals without signal interference due to the voltage loss along the power ground lines. Together with the OctoWS2811 adaptor's 5V buffer chip and accurate 100 ohm impedance matching to quality CAT6 cable, this wiring style gives a LED project the best quality signal and power delivery.
