Credit: https://kno.wled.ge
T his month we’ll be looking at the WLED firmware and what it’s used for. We’ll be building a project that features LEDs being controlled via a web interface and home automation software. We’ll also discover ways to make the lights react to music.
This type of LED are commonly known as NeoPixels. They’re strung together and are usually multicoloured and can be addressed individually. Versions of the LEDs are available that take different input voltages and they can all be controlled in the same way. NeoPixel is the name given to this style of LEDs by Adafruit (that offers a wide- -range of models), but the same driver is used for a large number of them (WS2811/WS2812), whoever the manufacturer or supplier happens to be. Models are available with separate RGB channels, so that any colour can be made by mixing the values (think of HTML colours). Furthermore, some have a Wchannel as well, which is an LED that outputs white light.
WLED is open source firmware, which can be installed on ESP8266 and ESP32 microcontroller boards. The ESP8266 is the older board of the two and has lower processor power. The ESP8266 is powerful enough to run the firmware and a smaller number of LEDs. When considering a larger number of LEDs, it’s a good idea to spend a little extra money on an ESP32 board. When installed, configuration takes place using an integrated web interface, integration with Home Assistant, or the lights can be controlled with software so that they react to music being played on a PC.
In this tutorial, we’ll install on an ESP8266, NodeMCU board, investigate the web interface, briefly talk about the
