Arduino PCA9685 example

The PCA9685 is an I²C-bus controlled 16-channel LED controller optimized for Red/Green/Blue/Amber (RGBA) color backlighting applications. Each LED output has its own 12-bit resolution (4096 steps) fixed frequency individual PWM controller that operates at a programmable frequency from a typical of 24 Hz to 1526 Hz with a duty cycle that is adjustable from 0 % to 100 % to allow the LED to be set to a specific brightness value. All outputs are set to the same PWM frequency.

Each LED output can be off or on (no PWM control), or set at its individual PWM controller value. The LED output driver is programmed to be either open-drain with a 25 mA current sink capability at 5 V or totem pole with a 25 mA sink, 10 mA source capability at 5 V. The PCA9685 operates with a supply voltage range of 2.3 V to 5.5 V and the inputs and outputs are 5.5 V tolerant. LEDs can be directly connected to the LED output (up to 25 mA, 5.5 V) or controlled with external drivers and a minimum amount of discrete components for larger current or higher voltage LEDs.

Here is the module I purchased

Layout

This example only shows one led connected, my test board had all 16 connected

Code

You will need to add the Adafruit PWM Servo driver library – https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-PWM-Servo-Driver-Library/archive/master.zip

This is the default code

[codesyntax lang=”cpp”]

#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_PWMServoDriver.h>

// called this way, it uses the default address 0x40
Adafruit_PWMServoDriver pwm = Adafruit_PWMServoDriver();

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("16 channel PWM test!");
  pwm.begin();
  pwm.setPWMFreq(1600);  // This is the maximum PWM frequency
    
  // save I2C bitrate
  uint8_t twbrbackup = TWBR;
  // must be changed after calling Wire.begin() (inside pwm.begin())
  TWBR = 12; // upgrade to 400KHz!
    
}

void loop() {
  // Drive each PWM in a 'wave'
  for (uint16_t i=0; i<4096; i += 8) 
  {
    for (uint8_t pwmnum=0; pwmnum < 16; pwmnum++) 
    {
      pwm.setPWM(pwmnum, 0, (i + (4096/16)*pwmnum) % 4096 );
    }
  }
}

[/codesyntax]

Link
16 Channel 12-bit PWM/Servo Driver-I2C interface-PCA9685 for arduino or Raspberry pi shield module servo shield