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WS2818

1-wire RGB · WorldSemi · ws281x

Channels
RGB
Bits / channel
8
Supply
12 V
PWM
—
Backup data
yes
Packages
0

A 12 V driver IC with a backup data line, closely related to the WS2815. Seeded for completeness of the family; no single-package part yet.

Timing

WS2818 bit timingWS2818 bit timing: a zero bit is 300 nanoseconds high then 900 low; a one bit is 600 high then 600 low; reset 300 microseconds low1 · Bit encoding, to scaleDINhighlowbit 0 period 1200 nsbit 1 period 1200 nsT0H 300 nsT1H 600 nsT0L 900 nsT1L 600 ns"0" bit"1" bit020040060080010001200140016001800200022002400time, ns2 · One frame: 24 bits, most-significant bit firstDIN170110010007100110101700101100bitch 1 · 8 bitsch 2 · 8 bitsch 3 · 8 bitsChannel order not recorded for this protocol · frame = 24 × ~1200 ns ≈ 28.8 µs · example data, first bits 1 0 1 …3 · RESET / latchlast bits of frame 1first bits of frame 2LEDs latch the data they receivedRESET: DIN low ≥ 300 µs (not to scale)4 · Cascade: each DOUT feeds the next DINMCULED 1DINDOUTLED 2DINDOUTLED NDINDOUTLED 1 keeps the first 24 bits, re-shapes the signal and sends the rest out on DOUT;LED 2 keeps the next 24, and so on. The last LED's DOUT is left unconnected.BIN (backup): tied to the previous pixel's DIN
T0H 300 / T0L 900 · T1H 600 / T1L 600 ns · period 1200 ns · reset 300 µs source: fastled (driver-tuned, not the datasheet)
SourceT0HT0LT1HT1LPeriodRateReset±
fastled ↗ 300 ns 900 ns 600 ns 600 ns 1200 ns 833 kHz 300 µs —

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 WS2815

    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
WS2818 ↗
WLED
WS281x

Parts using this protocol

No package is catalogued for this protocol yet — it is seeded for family completeness, or it is a driver IC that drives external LEDs rather than shipping as an integrated package.

Dating evidence

Evidence, not a release date. A library commit proves the part existed by that date and says nothing about how long before.

  • 2026-08-20 first library support FastLED — first commit introducing WS2818 ↗ day