WS2815
1-wire RGB · WorldSemi · ws281x
- Channels
- RGB
- Bits / channel
- 8
- Supply
- 12 V
- PWM
- 2 kHz
- Backup data
- yes
- Packages
- 1
The 12 V member of the family. Running at 12 V means far less voltage drop along a long run, which is why it dominates architectural installations, at the cost of coarser cutting granularity and more heat per LED.
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 ↗ | 250 ns | 1640 ns | 1340 ns | 550 ns | 1890 ns | 529 kHz | 280 µs | — |
| FastLED lists WS2815 among the 400-600 kHz chipsets; the derived bit period is 1890 ns, i.e. about 529 kHz - noticeably slower than the 800 kHz WS2812 family. | ||||||||
| datasheet ↗ | 350 ns | 1375 ns | 1375 ns | 350 ns | 1100 ns | 909 kHz | 300 µs | 300 ns |
| Datasheet ranges, midpoints recorded here: T0H 220-480 ns, T1H 750 ns-2 us, T0L 750 ns-2 us, T1L 220-480 ns. The stated bit period is 1.1 us +/-300 ns, i.e. 800-1400 ns - but FastLED’s T1/T2/T3 derive a 1890 ns period, well outside that window, and a 550 ns T1L against a 220-480 ns spec. FastLED’s figures are the ones that reliably drive real parts; the datasheet’s are what WorldSemi publishes. Also note FastLED records a 0 us reset for this part while the datasheet requires 300 us or more. | ||||||||
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
WS2813
Same backup-data-line concept, but 12 V and a different bit period. Do not assume WS2813 timings will drive it.
-
electrically similar of this
GS8208
Both are 12 V single-wire parts with a backup data line, and both are driven with WS2812-family timings, but they are different silicon with different specifications.
-
near clone of this
WS2818
Both are 12 V parts with a backup line; the bit periods differ (1200 ns vs 1890 ns), so they are not interchangeable without changing timings.
Library support
- FastLED
WS2815↗- Adafruit_NeoPixel
NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800- WLED
WS281x
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.