Method to Control 8*8 LED Matrix using Shift Register IC 74595 and Arduino Mega

Previous : Control 74595 Using Arduino

          So far, we have read a lot about LED matrix and 74595 shift register IC. Click here to start reading about LED matrix from beginning.

          In the past few blogs, we found the basics of working of 8*8 LED matrix and shift register IC 74595. In this blog, we will see the circuit to connect 8*8 LED matrix to arduino through shift registers using minimum number of digital pins of arduino. Essence of this circuit is, controlling 64 LEDs using only six digital output pins from arduino. Circuit is given at the bottom of this page. Before starting the circuit, you should be familiar about the pinout diagram of, 8*8 LED matrix and 74595 shift register IC.


Pinout diagram of 8*8 LED matrix

          Pinout diagram of 8*8 LED matrix is given below. Refer this blog to get a simple circuit to demonstrate the working of 8*8 LED matrix. Small wedges on the middle of four edges of the 8*8 LED matrix is the indication of the pin from which pin numbering should be started.

Internal Circuit of 8*8 LED matrix

          Internal circuit of 8*8 LED matrix is given below. Pin numbering of 8*8 LED matrix is a bit confusing. Read this blog to get a clear idea about the pin numbering of 8*8 LED matrix.

Pin out diagram of 74595

          Pinout diagram of 74595 is given below. Two 74595 ICs are used in this circuit. Read this blog to get an idea about the working of 74595.

          Next is the circuit diagram. Two 74595 ICs are used to control one LED matrix. One IC is for controlling the rows of LED matrix and the other IC is for controlling the columns of LED matrix. 5V for the working of IC is given from a 5V regulator. SHCP, STCP and DS pins of both 74595 are connected to separate digital output pins of arduino as shown in the circuit. VCC and MRbar of both ICs should be connected to 5V. Gnd and OEbar of both ICs should be connected to the Gnd of voltage source. 100 Ohm current limiting resistors should be connected to the cathode pins of 8*8 LED matrix. If current limiting resistor is connected to the anode pins of 8*8 LED matrix, brightness of LEDs will decrease, when more LEDs will turn on. Gnd pin of arduino should be connected to the gnd pin of voltage source for voltage leveling.

Link to see enlarged Circuit Diagram in Pinterest

Click here to see the enlarged image in pinterest 

Connection between arduino mega and 1^st 74595 can be summarized as follows.

1.  Digital pin 11 of arduino is connected to the DS pin (14^th pin) of 1^st 74595.
2.  Digital pin 12 of arduino is connected to the STCP pin (12^th pin) of 1^st 74595.
3.  Digital pin 13 of arduino is connected to the SHCP pin (11^th pin) of 1^st 74595.

Connection between arduino mega and 2^nd 74595 can be summarized as follows.

1.  Digital pin 5 of arduino is connected to the DS pin (14^th pin) of 2^nd 74595.
2.  Digital pin 6 of arduino is connected to the STCP pin (12^th pin) of 2^nd 74595.
3.  Digital pin 7 of arduino is connected to the SHCP pin (11^th pin) of 2^nd 74595.

Connection between 1^st 74595 and 8*8 LED matrix can be summarized as follows.

1.  Q0 pin (15^th pin) of 1^st 74595 is connected to the 16^th pin 8*8 LED matrix.
2.  Q1 pin (1^st pin) of 1^st 74595 is connected to the 15^th pin 8*8 LED matrix.
3.  Q2 pin (2^nd pin) of 1^st 74595 is connected to the 11^th pin 8*8 LED matrix.
4.  Q3 pin (3^rd pin) of 1^st 74595 is connected to the 3^rd pin 8*8 LED matrix.
5.  Q4 pin (4^th pin) of 1^st 74595 is connected to the 10^th pin 8*8 LED matrix.
6.  Q5 pin (5^th pin) of 1^st 74595 is connected to the 5^th pin 8*8 LED matrix.
7.  Q6 pin (6^th pin) of 1^st 74595 is connected to the 6^th pin 8*8 LED matrix.
8.  Q7 pin (7^th pin) of 1^st 74595 is connected to the 13^th pin 8*8 LED matrix.

Connection between 2^nd 74595 and 8*8 LED matrix can be summarized as follows.

1.  Q0 pin (15^th pin) of 2^nd 74595 is connected to the 4^th pin 8*8 LED matrix.
2.  Q1 pin (1^st pin) of 2^nd 74595 is connected to the 7^th pin 8*8 LED matrix.
3.  Q2 pin (2^nd pin) of 2^nd 74595 is connected to the 2^nd pin 8*8 LED matrix.
4.  Q3 pin (3^rd pin) of 2^nd 74595 is connected to the 8^th pin 8*8 LED matrix.
5.  Q4 pin (4^th pin) of 2^nd 74595 is connected to the 12^th pin 8*8 LED matrix.
6.  Q5 pin (5^th pin) of 2^nd 74595 is connected to the 1^st pin 8*8 LED matrix.
7.  Q6 pin (6^th pin) of 2^nd 74595 is connected to the 14^th pin 8*8 LED matrix.
8.  Q7 pin (7^th pin) of 2^nd 74595 is connected to the 9^th pin 8*8 LED matrix.

Next: Arduino program to turn on all LEDS of LED matrix