The easiest way to connect a LED matrix to the Feather M4 Express is using the RGB Matrix FeatherWing kit. This board works only with the Feather M4 Express, not other Feather boards like the nRF Feathers. If you've got the FeatherWing, jump over to this page. Otherwise, read on and get wiring!

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To hook an LED matrix to the Feather M4 Express, make the connections on the left.  Remember that for a 16-line matrix, connect 4 GND wires and address wires A, B, and C.  For a 32-line matrix, connect 3 GND wires and address wires A, B, C, and D.

Use the following block of code to initialize a 64x32 matrix. Remember to connect all 4 address pins: A, B, C, and D.

Don't forget you have to provide a separate 5V @ 2 ~ 10Amp power supply to the panels thick power cables
displayio.release_displays()
matrix = rgbmatrix.RGBMatrix(
    width=64, bit_depth=4,
    rgb_pins=[board.D6, board.D5, board.D9, board.D11, board.D10, board.D12],
    addr_pins=[board.A5, board.A4, board.A3, board.A2],
    clock_pin=board.D13, latch_pin=board.D0, output_enable_pin=board.D1)
display = framebufferio.FramebufferDisplay(matrix)

Use the following block of code to initialize a 32x16 matrix. Remember to connect just 3 address pins: A, B, and C. Hook a fourth GND wire instead of A3.

displayio.release_displays()
matrix = rgbmatrix.RGBMatrix(
    width=32, bit_depth=4,
    rgb_pins=[board.D6, board.D5, board.D9, board.D11, board.D10, board.D12],
    addr_pins=[board.A5, board.A4, board.A3],
    clock_pin=board.D13, latch_pin=board.D0, output_enable_pin=board.D1)
display = framebufferio.FramebufferDisplay(matrix)

This guide was first published on Apr 20, 2020. It was last updated on Mar 28, 2024.

This page (Feather M4 Express) was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

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