Overview

The SK6812 is a smart, individually addressable RGB/RGBW LED light source produced by Opsco Optoelectronics. Integrating a control IC and three or four LED emitters (Red, Green, Blue, and optional White) inside a single 5050 (5.0 × 5.0 mm) SMD surface-mount package, it provides 256 levels of dimming per channel across a 24-bit (RGB) or 32-bit (RGBW) color depth.

Functionally and pin-compatible with the WS2812B, the SK6812 uses an asynchronous single-wire NRZ protocol operating at 800 kbps. It features an integrated signal-reshaping circuit that regenerates data pulses before passing them to the next cascade pixel via the DOUT pin, preventing signal degradation in long LED strip installations. The RGBW variants add a dedicated white LED element available in Warm White (3000K), Neutral White (4000K), or Cool White (6000K), offering superior white color rendering and power efficiency compared to mixing RGB channels.

Quick reference

TypeAddressable Smart RGB / RGBW Integrated LED
Forward Voltage (VDD)4.5 V to 5.5 V DC
Max Forward Current (IF)~50 mA total max per pixel (12 mA per channel)
ProtocolSingle-Wire NRZ Asynchronous (800 kbps)
Color Channels3 (RGB) or 4 (RGBW: Red, Green, Blue, White)
Color Depth256 PWM levels (24-bit RGB / 32-bit RGBW)
Package5050 SMD / 3535 SMD / 4020 Side-view

Polarity & pin configuration

PinNameFunctionDescription
1VDDPowerPositive supply voltage (+5V DC)
2DOUTData OutputCascaded serial data output to next LED DIN pin
3VSSPowerGround connection (0V)
4DINData InputSerial NRZ control data input from MCU or previous LED
Info

Package orientation: The notch or bevel on one corner of the 5050 package indicates Pin 1 (VDD). Ground is Pin 3 (VSS).

Key parameters

ParameterSymbolMinTypMaxUnitConditions
Supply VoltageVDD4.55.05.5V
Logical Input HighVIH0.7 × VDD—VDD + 0.5VDIN pin
Logical Input LowVIL-0.5—0.3 × VDDVDIN pin
Channel Drive CurrentIOUT11.012.013.0mAConstant current sink per color channel
Data Transfer RatefDATA—800—kbpsSingle-wire NRZ timing
Reset Pulse TimeTRESET80——µSDIN held low to latch frame

Forward & reverse characteristics

Protocol & Bit Timing

Control data is transmitted as a stream of NRZ pulses. Each bit is represented by a pulse with fixed high and low durations:

  • T0H (0-bit High time): 0.3 µs ± 0.15 µs
  • T0L (0-bit Low time): 0.9 µs ± 0.15 µs
  • T1H (1-bit High time): 0.9 µs ± 0.15 µs
  • T1L (1-bit Low time): 0.3 µs ± 0.15 µs
  • TRESET (Reset Low time): > 80 µs

For RGBW models, each pixel consumes 32 bits of data in G-R-B-W order (8 bits Green, 8 bits Red, 8 bits Blue, 8 bits White). For standard RGB models, each pixel consumes 24 bits in G-R-B order.

Typical circuits

text
       +5V DC Power
           |
     +-----+------+---------------+---------+
     |            |               |         |
   100nF        100nF           100nF     1000uF
     |            |               |         |
    GND          GND             GND       GND
     |            |               |         |
     +-----+------+---------------+---------+
           |                      |
      +----+----+            +----+----+
      | 1     3 |            | 1     3 |
      | VDD VSS |            | VDD VSS |
      | SK6812  |            | SK6812  |
MCU ->| 4     2 |----------->| 4     2 |------> DOUT to next pixel
GPIO  | DIN DOUT|            | DIN DOUT|
 (330R)|         |            |         |
      +---------+            +---------+
Warning

Always place a 330 Ω to 470 Ω resistor in series on the DIN line near the first LED to prevent voltage spikes from damaging the input pin. Place a 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitor across VDD and VSS near every LED, and a 1000 µF bulk electrolytic capacitor across the main +5V power rail.

Common mistakes

  • Sending 24-bit data to an RGBW SK6812 LED: Standard NeoPixel/FastLED color arrays send 24 bits (G-R-B). When sent to an RGBW SK6812 strip, colors will shift out of phase because each pixel expects 32 bits (G-R-B-W).
  • Driving 5V VDD LEDs from a 3.3V GPIO without a logic level shifter: At VDD = 5.0V, VIH requires at least 3.5V (0.7 × 5.0V). A 3.3V signal from an ESP32 or RP2040 may cause flicker or ignored data. Use a high-speed level shifter (e.g. 74AHCT125).
  • Insuffcient Power Supply Grounding: High peak currents (up to 3.6 A per 60-LED strip) cause ground bounce if power wire gauge is inadequate. Connect MCU GND directly to the LED strip GND at multiple injection points.

Notes & further reading

  • Software Support: Supported by FastLED (use SK6812 or SK6812RGBW), Adafruit_NeoPixel (NEO_RGBW), and WLED firmware.
  • Signal Reshaping: Each SK6812 pixel buffers and regenerates the clock and data pulse shapes before outputting to DOUT, ensuring signal integrity over hundreds of cascaded pixels.

Assets & downloads