SK9822
SPI RGB · OPSCO Optoelectronics · apa102
- Channels
- RGB
- Bits / channel
- 8
- Supply
- 4.5–5.5 V
- PWM
- 4.7 kHz
- Backup data
- no
- Packages
- 1
The most interesting “clone” in the catalogue, because it is genuinely better in one respect and worse in another. If you dim your LEDs in software via global brightness, the SK9822 is the one that will not flicker; if you are filming them at high shutter speeds, the APA102’s 20 kHz PWM wins.
Refresh & flicker
4.7 kHz against the APA102’s 20 kHz - lower, and enough to show up on camera where the APA102 would not. In exchange, dimming via the global brightness field does NOT introduce low-frequency flicker, because brightness is set with a real current source rather than by superimposing a slower PWM.
Timing
| Source | T0H | T0L | T1H | T1L | Period | Rate | Reset | ± |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| datasheet | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Clones & compatibility
“Compatible” is never stated bare here — each relationship carries how strong the claim is, and what bites if you assume too much.
-
near clone
APA102
Widely sold as an APA102 equivalent and usually works, but it is not a drop-in. Global brightness is a controlled current source rather than superimposed PWM, so it does not flicker when dimmed. PWM is 4.7 kHz against 20 kHz. The update is non-staggered, and end-frame handling differs - a driver that relies on the APA102's end-frame behaviour can misbehave. source ↗
-
near clone of this
APA102
Frequently sold as interchangeable and usually works, but the SK9822 implements global brightness as a real current source rather than superimposed PWM, runs a lower PWM frequency, updates non-staggered, and differs in end-frame handling. Not reliably drop-in.
Library support
- FastLED
SK9822↗- Adafruit_DotStar
DOTSTAR_BGR- WLED
SK9822
FastLED carries a distinct SK9822 chipset precisely because the end-frame handling differs from the APA102.
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.