SK6812
1-wire RGB · OPSCO Optoelectronics · sk68xx
- Channels
- RGB
- Bits / channel
- 8
- Supply
- 3.7–5.5 V
- PWM
- 1.2 kHz
- Backup data
- no
- Packages
- 5
OPSCO’s answer to the WS2812B, and generally the better part: higher PWM frequency, wider supply range, and the only mainstream route to a real RGBW addressable LED. Physically and electrically a drop-in for WS2812B in 5050.
Refresh & flicker
Higher PWM frequency than the pre-V5 WS2812B, so visibly less flicker on camera. One of the main practical reasons to choose it.
Timing
Sources disagree. This is normal and worth understanding: FastLED's numbers are tuned to drive real parts reliably, including clones, while the datasheet gives the manufacturer's nominal figures. Both are recorded here rather than picking one and hiding the conflict.
| Source | T0H | T0L | T1H | T1L | Period | Rate | Reset | ± |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fastled ↗ | 300 ns | 900 ns | 900 ns | 300 ns | 1200 ns | 833 kHz | 80 µs | — |
| Note the reset: 80 us, against 280 us for the WS2812 family in FastLED. Symmetric timings (T0H equals T1L and T0L equals T1H). | ||||||||
| datasheet ↗ | 300 ns | 900 ns | 600 ns | 600 ns | 1200 ns | 833 kHz | 80 µs | 150 ns |
| Note the disagreement with FastLED on the ONE bit: the datasheet splits it 600/600, FastLED drives it 900/300. Both total 1200 ns, so the bit period matches and both work, but the duty cycle differs substantially. The datasheet also states TH+TL = 1.25 us +/- 600 ns while its own four figures sum to 1.20 us - an inconsistency within its own tolerance. | ||||||||
Clones & compatibility
“Compatible” is never stated bare here — each relationship carries how strong the claim is, and what bites if you assume too much.
-
drop in
WS2812B
Timings overlap enough that WS2812B code drives it without changes, and the 5050 footprint and pinout match. The differences that matter are better PWM frequency and a shorter required reset. source ↗
-
protocol compatible of this
SK6812 RGBW
Identical timing, but four channels rather than three. Driving it with an RGB library shifts colours down the strip, because every pixel consumes one extra byte.
-
electrically similar of this
SK6822
Same family and single-wire scheme, but a 1750 ns bit period against the SK6812's 1200 ns. Not interchangeable at the same timings.
Library support
- FastLED
SK6812↗- Adafruit_NeoPixel
NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800- WLED
SK6812
Parts using this protocol
Dating evidence
Evidence, not a release date. A library commit proves the part existed by that date and says nothing about how long before.