8x8 led Matrix only lighting up rows when animating

Other Hardware LEDs and Multiplexing
1

I am attempting to build out my first custom 8x8 led matrix.
My hardware currently is a arduino nano esp32 and max7219CNG chip for led control.

My issues is that the animation is lighting up a full column and running it right to left in a split second, almost as if this MX_Parola is interpreting my 8x8 matrix as its own single pixel in a larger scheme rather than addressing the individual LED as a pixel in this scheme.

I have everything wired up according to the below diagram.

image
image1200×723 165 KB

Leveraging this test code:


#include <MD_Parola.h>
#include <MD_MAX72xx.h>

#define HARDWARE_TYPE MD_MAX72XX::GENERIC_HW
#define MAX_DEVICES 1 // 4 blocks
#define CS_PIN D10 // The Arduino Nano ESP32 pin connected to the CS pin of the LED matrix
// #define DATA_PIN D11
// #define CLK_PIN D13
// create an instance of the MD_Parola class
MD_Parola ledMatrix = MD_Parola(HARDWARE_TYPE, CS_PIN,MAX_DEVICES);

void setup() {
  ledMatrix.begin();         // initialize the object
  ledMatrix.setIntensity(0); // set the brightness of the LED matrix display (from 0 to 15)
  ledMatrix.displayClear();  // clear led matrix display

  ledMatrix.displayText("Hello", PA_CENTER, PA_SCROLL_LEFT, 1000 ,PA_SLICE);
}

void loop() {
  if (ledMatrix.displayAnimate()) {
    ledMatrix.displayReset();
  }
}
2

Can you set and clear the individual LEDs?

3

No, I have attempted to also try and use the displayText() function and it illuminates all LEDs at once.

4

The MD_Parola examples seem to all have "#include <SPI.h>"

5

You have not put in the correct parameters for the displayText() method

 inline void displayText(const char *pText, textPosition_t align, uint16_t speed, uint16_t pause, textEffect_t effectIn, textEffect_t effectOut = PA_NO_EFFECT)

You may also have the hardware type set incorrectly for your wiring. Try the MD_MAX72xx example Dynamic_HW or HW_Mapper to determine what hardware type you should be setting.

6

With only 1 module, it is difficult to see what is being written,
but I simulated it with 4 modules and see the result.

I had to change the CS pin because there was an error when compiling with the D10 pin.

And I changed the line: #define HARDWARE_TYPE MD_MAX72XX::GENERIC_HW
to : #define HARDWARE_TYPE MD_MAX72XX::PAROLA_HW

simulated at: Hello_ESP32 - Wokwi ESP32, STM32, Arduino Simulator

7

I went ahead and tried the examples you provided and am still running into the issue, it appears that there is still an animation happening but only to the columns. I am a newbie when it comes to building out electronics so I am curious if it is a lack of capacitor in my setup that is causing the issue currently?

8

If you are using an ESP32 processor then you should be mindful that the digital signals required by the MAX chip is 5V not 3.3V. With one IC you may bet away with it but sometimes not.

Please confirm that you corrected the number of parameters as per my post #5.

Have you tried running just simple scrolling animation rather than slice? With just one matrix module it will be difficult to see much of the more complex animations.

If none of this works are you able to post a short video showing the problem?

9

I have corrected the implementation of display text and here is a video of the results, hopefully it helps id the issue.

10

@snmpn

Can you please post your latest version of the code that was used for the video.
Then we can try to reproduce what is happening using the Wokwi sim.

Edit:
Having closely studied the video again, I believe you have made an error in the fabrication
of the array. Second row up, forth led in from the left never lights up meaning you have probably soldered it in the wrong way round. That would mess things up somewhat.

Edit 2:
There are no characters in the standard font that have a column value of 255. ie all 8 leds lit.

11

@snmpn

Run the code from this Wokwi on your matrix. It will confirm all is well before you proceed any further.

12

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