WS2811 Pixel Protocol
Manufacturer: WorldsemiA single-wire, self-clocking RGB pixel driver IC in an SOP8 package, running 8-bit-per-channel colour on a 5 to 12V supply.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Clock Type | Data-Only |
| Color Resolution | 8 Bits |
| Physical Package | SOP8 |
| RGB | Yes |
| RGBW | No |
| Output Pixel Voltage | 5 - 12V |
| PWM Rate | 400Hz |
| Suitable Camera | Flickering may be visible |
| Redundant Data Line | No |
Strengths
- Single-wire self-clocking design needs only one data conductor per run, keeping cabling and connector count low compared with two-wire clocked chips.
- Discrete SOP8 driver on a 5 to 12V supply lets one IC address a group of LEDs, which reduces per-pixel cost and supports longer 12V runs with less voltage drop than 5V-only parts.
- 8-bit-per-channel (24-bit) RGB is well supported across controllers and pixel-mapping tools, making the WS2811 a safe, interoperable default for architectural and decorative installs.
Limitations
- The 400Hz PWM rate is low and the row marks this chip as likely to show visible flicker on camera: it will show visible flicker and banding on video, so it is a poor choice for broadcast, film, or any on-camera set.
- As a timing-sensitive single-wire protocol with no redundant data line, a single broken pixel or connection kills every LED downstream, and long runs need signal injection or reclocking to stay reliable.
Overview
The WS2811 is a standalone three-channel LED driver IC that reads a single-wire, self-clocking data stream and regenerates it to the next device in the chain. Unlike the WS2812, which packages its controller inside the LED, the WS2811 is a discrete SOP8 chip, so it is common on 5 to 12V strips where one IC drives a small group of LEDs. It carries 8 bits per channel (24-bit RGB, no white channel) and refreshes at 400Hz, which suits general architectural and decorative work but not on-camera use. ENTTEC is not affiliated with Worldsemi.
Mapping an installation? ELM, ENTTEC's free LED pixel mapping software, drives the controllers above over Art-Net and sACN, from a single fixture to building-scale maps.
ENTTEC has been engineering lighting control in Australia since 1999, and shipping LED pixel controllers since the original Pixelator in 2014.