WS2811 and SM16703 ICs are widely used Addressable LED Strip and both of them have their own characteristics.WS2811 ICs operates usually at 12 volts, it can be used to drive LED and it can support 5 volts logic input. The DC24v WS2811 LED strips manufactured by some companies are dangerous because their withstand voltage is only up to 20 volts. The SM16703 ICs are targeted at 5V, 12V, 24V, and their voltage reaches 26V, making them ideal for compact designs. Both ICs feature three outputs, single-wire control, 8-bit pulse width modulation, 256 levels, and daisy chaining for a variety of signs and RGB lighting project.
Please check below comparisons between these two IC RGB chip.
Feature | ||
Voltage | 5V logic input | 5V logic input |
Withstand Voltage | 20V at most | 26V at most |
Output Channels | 3 channels (RGB) | 3 channels (RGB) |
Signal Type | Single-wire control | Single-wire control |
Data Speed | 800 kbps | 800 kbps |
Integrated Features | Built-in PWM control | Built-in PWM control |
LED Driving Capability | Can drive RGB LEDs directly | Can drive RGB LEDs directly |
Brightness Control | 256 levels (8-bit PWM) | 256 levels (8-bit PWM) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 30 fps | Up to 30 fps |
Cascade Length | Supports daisy-chaining of multiple ICs | Supports daisy-chaining of multiple ICs |
Primary Application | Addressable RGB LED strips, signage | Addressable RGB LED strips, signage |
Key Difference | Supports 5v 12V systems, versatile for long distances | Optimized for compact 24v 12v 5V designs |
Summary:
WS2811 and SM16703 are addressable RGB LED ICs offering similar performance, such as 256 brightness levels and 800 kbps speeds. WS2811 supports 12V systems and withstands up to 20V, SM16703 is optimized for 5V 12v and 24v lighting systems, with a higher withstand voltage of 26V, suitable for compact designs.
What is WS2811 LED strip ?
The WS2811 series LED is a multifunctional led strip suitable for DC12V and DC5V. At the same time, the software also provides two colors, RGB and white light, to achieve dynamic and bright lighting effects. This led strip is controlled by a data line and integrates 8-bit PWM, which can achieve good color conversion results. However, the WS2811 light is not suitable for DC24V voltage, which will affect its application under high voltage.It is an ideal choice for signs, decoration, and construction.
What is SM16703 LED strip?
The SM16703 series LED light is a high-performance addressable light strip similar to WS2811 and UCS1903. Its main advantage is that it can be matched with the DC24V system, ensuring stable and reliable operation in harsh environments. SM16703 can also provide white and RGB color options, which can achieve dynamic and accurate lighting effects. However, it does not support RGBW settings, so the color diversity is limited. But it is very suitable for indoor and outdoor projects, with both durability and high efficiency.
If you would like to know more about IC RGB LED strip difference please read the articles below: