Build Instructions

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• 1

  PCB Assembly

  • Using a solder paste dispenser needle, we apply solder paste to each component pad to begin the circuit assembly process. In this case, we are using 63/37 SnPB Solderpaste.
  • After that, we pick each WS2812B LED and place it into their correct position.
  • The PCB is then heated from below to the solder paste melting temperature by placing the circuit on the Reflow Hotplate, which causes all of the SMD LEDs to be connected to their pads.
  • After reflow, we place the THT components, which consist of a female header pin connector for the Raspberry Pi Pico W and a USB-type C port.
  • Using a soldering iron, we solder the leads of every through-hole component from the bottom side of the board.
  • At last, we installed the Raspberry Pi PICO W on the header pins and our PCB assembly process is complete.
• 2

  DEMO TEST CODE

  For the Demo test sketch for this project, we created a number counter sketch that counts from 1 to 30 with a one-second interval. We added a feature to this test code that causes a color shift from red to green.

  #include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
  #include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
  #include <Adafruit_NeoMatrix.h>
  
  #define MATRIX_PIN 12 // GPIO pin connected to the LED matrix data pin
  #define MATRIX_WIDTH 10
  #define MATRIX_HEIGHT 10
  Adafruit_NeoMatrix matrix = Adafruit_NeoMatrix(MATRIX_WIDTH, MATRIX_HEIGHT, MATRIX_PIN,
    NEO_MATRIX_TOP + NEO_MATRIX_LEFT +
    NEO_MATRIX_ROWS,
    NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
  
  void setup() {
    Serial.begin(115200);
    Serial.println("Starting color fade test...");
  
    // Initialize matrix
    matrix.begin();
    matrix.setTextWrap(false);
    matrix.setBrightness(50);
    matrix.setRotation(3); // Rotate the text 90 degrees in the opposite direction
  }
  
  void loop() {
    for (int i = 1; i <= 30; i++) {
      // Calculate the color based on the day of the month
      int r = 255 - ((i - 1) * 255 / 30); // Red decreases
      int g = (i - 1) * 255 / 30; // Green increases
      int color = matrix.Color(r, g, 0);
  
      // Display the day number on the LED matrix with the calculated color
      matrix.fillScreen(0); // Clear screen
      matrix.setTextSize(1); // Set text size to fit within 10x10 matrix
      matrix.setTextColor(color);
  
      String dayStr = String(i); // Convert day to string
  
      if (dayStr.length() < 2) {
        matrix.setCursor((matrix.width() - 6) / 2, (matrix.height() - 8) / 2);
      } else {
        matrix.setCursor((matrix.width() - 12) / 2, (matrix.height() - 8) / 2);
      }
  
      matrix.print(dayStr);
      matrix.show();
  
      Serial.print("Displaying day: "); Serial.print(dayStr); Serial.print(" with color: ");
      Serial.print("R="); Serial.print(r); Serial.print(", G="); Serial.println(g);
  
      delay(1000); // Update every second
    }
  }

  Here, we begin the month with a red color and as the days pass and we approach 30, the color changes from red to green.

  Make sure you install the required libraries: Prior to using this sketch, install Adafruit NeoPixel, Adafruit GFX, and Adafruit NeoMatrix.

• 3

  MAIN CODE

  After testing the demo test code, let's have a look at the main code for this project and its a simple one.

  #include <WiFi.h>
  #include <NTPClient.h>
  #include <WiFiUdp.h>
  #include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
  #include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
  #include <Adafruit_NeoMatrix.h>
  #include <time.h>
  
  // WiFi credentials
  const char* ssid = "UR SSID";
  const char* password = "UR PASS";
  
  // Define NTP Client to get time
  WiFiUDP ntpUDP;
  NTPClient timeClient(ntpUDP, "pool.ntp.org", 19800, 60000); // IST is UTC+5:30 or 19800 seconds
  
  // Define LED matrix
  #define MATRIX_PIN 12 // GPIO pin connected to the LED matrix data pin
  #define MATRIX_WIDTH 10
  #define MATRIX_HEIGHT 10
  Adafruit_NeoMatrix matrix = Adafruit_NeoMatrix(MATRIX_WIDTH, MATRIX_HEIGHT, MATRIX_PIN,
    NEO_MATRIX_TOP + NEO_MATRIX_LEFT +
    NEO_MATRIX_ROWS,
    NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
  
  void setup() {
    Serial.begin(115200);
    Serial.println("Setting up WiFi and NTP...");
  
    // Initialize matrix
    matrix.begin();
    matrix.setTextWrap(false);
    matrix.setBrightness(50);
    matrix.setRotation(3); // Rotate the text 90 degrees in the opposite direction
  
    // Connect to WiFi
    WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
    while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
      delay(500);
      Serial.print(".");
    }
    Serial.println("WiFi connected.");
  
    // Initialize NTPClient
    timeClient.begin();
  }
  
  void loop() {
    timeClient.update();
  
    // Get current date and time from NTP client
    time_t rawTime = timeClient.getEpochTime();
    struct tm *timeInfo = localtime(&rawTime);
  
    // Extract the current day of the month
    int currentDay = timeInfo->tm_mday;
    String dayStr = String(currentDay); // Convert day to string
  
    // Calculate the color based on the day of the month
    int r = 255 - ((currentDay - 1) * 255 / 30); // Red decreases
    int g = (currentDay - 1) * 255 / 30; // Green increases
    int color = matrix.Color(r, g, 0);
  
    // Display the day number on the LED matrix with the calculated color
    matrix.fillScreen(0); // Clear screen
    matrix.setTextSize(1); // Set text size to fit within 10x10 matrix
    matrix.setTextColor(color);
  
    if (dayStr.length() < 2) {
      matrix.setCursor((matrix.width() - 6) / 2, (matrix.height() - 8) / 2);
    } else {
      matrix.setCursor((matrix.width() - 12) / 2, (matrix.height() - 8) / 2);
    }
  
    matrix.print(dayStr);
    matrix.show();
  
    delay(1000); // Update every second
  }

  Our code is intended to display the current day of the month on an LED matrix, with a color transition from red to green as the days progress. The script begins by importing the following libraries: WiFi, NTPClient, and WiFiUdp for managing WiFi connections and retrieving time from the NTP server; and Adafruit_NeoPixel, Adafruit_GFX, and Adafruit_NeoMatrix for controlling the LED matrix.

  An NTP client is instantiated to retrieve the current time from the "pool.ntp.org" NTP server, with an offset for Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30).

  The LED matrix is configured with a pin defined for GPIO 12, dimensions of 10x10, and specified connection and color order.

  In the setup() function, serial communication is initiated for debugging purposes. The LED matrix is initialized with specified settings, including brightness and text rotation. The script then attempts to connect to the WiFi network using the provided credentials, waiting until the connection is established. Once connected, the NTP client is started to begin retrieving the current time.

  In the loop() function, the NTP client is updated to retrieve the most recent time from the NTP server. The current date and time are retrieved and stored as a struct tm object. The current day of the month is then extracted and transformed into a string. The color used to represent the day is determined by the day of the month, transitioning from red on the first to green on the 30th or 31st. The LED matrix is then cleared, and the current day is printed in the calculated color, centering on the matrix. The display is refreshed every second to ensure that it is up to date.

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