Arduino Due + unidirectional logic converter + MAX7219 ?

Projects General Guidance
1

I'm planning a LED matrix using Arduino Due and eight MAX7219 controlling eight 8x8 LED dot matrix, just like in this video: Parola for Arduino - LED Matrix with MAX7219 controller - YouTube
Unfortunately, the MAX7219 requires at least 3.5V so that it could read a logic "HIGH", but Arduino Due can only supply 3.3V.

So I searched for bidirectional logic converters (3.3V to 5V and vice versa), but I don't want to order online for it takes too long to be delivered at my doorstep and my place doesn't have a sophisticated electronics store, so circuits involving FETs are out of the options.
So I stumbled upon a circuit that only uses NPN BJTs to do logic level conversions, but according to the paper, it only works well for about 300KHz frequency.

My question is, will this bidirectional logic converter (attached pdf) work with the Arduino Due and MAX7219 LED matrix project? The MAX7219 uses the following SPI pins (DIN (MOSI), CS and CLK) for communication with the Arduino. I don't want to fry the Arduino Due if this circuit doesn't work. I don't know if this logic level converter would work, or would just leak out 5V to the Arduino (maybe because the SPI pins operate at a very high frequency beyond 300KHz)

or....... since the SPI pins used are only DIN (MOSI), CS and CLK, is it only a one way communication from the Arduino Due (Master) to the MAX7219 (Slave) so I just need to make an easier unidirectional logic converter (3.3V to 5V)?

what do you think?

translator-1.pdf (21.4 KB)

2

For SPI unidirectional converters are sufficient. From low to high level a simple diode is sufficient, that allows to pull down a 3.3V bus line to Gnd. Low to high level is a bit trickier, but you don't need that for only outputting data to the MAX7219 (omit MISO).