I know I am supposed to use a decoupling capacitor with a WS2803 (or any IC for that matter) but I am not sure how to figure out which one to use. I have read some info on decoupling capacitors and have seen some formulas but I don't quite understand it. I am not sure where to get the numbers (Hz and stuff). Any help on this matter will be appreciated.
0.1uF ceramic for high frequency current switching support. No figuring needed.
10uF electrolytic in parallel for higher current surges wouldn't hurt on large LED driver chips like this, or MAX7219:
Supply Bypassing and Wiring
To minimize power-supply ripple due to the peak digit driver currents, connect a 10?F electrolytic and a 0.1?F ceramic capacitor between V+ and GND as close to the device as possible. The MAX7219/MAX7221 should be placed in close proximity to the LED display, and connections should be kept as short as possible to minimize the effects of wiring inductance and electromagnetic interference. Also, both GND pins must be connected to ground.
Easy enough. Thanks for the help.
What's to calculate?
A great big one for low frequencies next to the source,
A little bitty one for high frequencies next to the load.....