Led Console

Pablo Alcalá del Olmo Jiménez and Rafael Crespo Morano decided to create this project that was submitted to 'Creative Electronics', a Beng Electronics Engineering module at University of Málaga, School of Telecommunications.

This project was based and inspired on two projects:

-Arduino Neopixel Game Console

- Guitar Hero With Arduino

We have designed a prototype based on a 16x16 led matrix, composed of 4 buttons with which we can select different game modes. In addition, the prototype includes a buzzer and a led screen, which we can integrate in the different games that can be designed. At the moment it has 2 different modes, a piano mode, and the Simon says game.

For the realization of our project, we have used the following materials:

-3D printer

-PLA filament

-Soldering iron and tin

-Lots of wires

-1 x Led matrix WS2812B 16x16

-1 x LCD screen 16x2

-4 x squared protoboard buttons

-1 x buzzer

-1 x Arduino Leonardo or similar

-1 x 6 x AA battery holder with 5.5mm/2.5 plug

-6 x AA batteries

-1 x YWRobot power supply for protoboard

-4 x M3x30mm screws

-4 x M3x35mm screws

-4 x M3 nuts

The first step will be the 3D design of all the necessary parts for the prototype, which is made up of the following parts:

-Central Base

-Lower Left Base

-Bottom Right Base

-Bottom Cover

-Top Cover

- 4 x Velcro Mounting Brackets

For the main base we modified the stl from this project, deleting the handles and adding a case for the LCD.

You can find all the STL as well as the FreeCAD project here in case you want to modify something easier.

For the project, a library has been developed which includes a series of functions to control the LEDs in the matrix, making it possible to upgrade and add new modes in the prototype.

You can find the library and the code of the project here.

Before proceeding to indicate how each of the components that make up the prototype will be connected, it must be said that both GND and VCC will be connected by means of a solder plate, where VCC will be the 5 V coming out of the regulator and GND the ground coming out of the regulator. This is because it is the easiest way to obtain all the VCC and GND we need in our design.

For the connection of the pins of the lcd screen, the buttons and the matrix, you can see the connections in the images that are attached in this step.

The GNDs of these buttons will all be connected in common by means of a single wire, which will go to the board from where the circuit grounds will be connected.

The buzzer, which we will use to give sound to our prototype, will be connected to pin D10 of the Arduino Leonardo.

Once we print all our parts, we will begin to solder all the cables on our LCD screen, since this way we avoid that they can come loose once the entire prototype is assembled.

Later, the supports of the matrix will be glued to the base of the prototype, and the space that remains below will be used for the batteries and to pass the cables that come from the lcd. These supports will have velcro, with which the removal of the matrix, will be much easier, and if the batteries run out, it will not be necessary to disassemble the entire prototype.

The screen cover is screwed to the base, so 4 holes will have to be made in the cover.

Finally, the most critical part of the prototype, since it will contain all the wiring for the buttons, the buzzer and the voltage regulator. The buttons and the buzzer will be glued to their respective holes in the print, and their pins will be welded to prevent them from coming loose. This part will also be screwed, so if at any time you want to change something, it can be opened without problems.

It’s very important to be very careful in the connection of this part, since it is enough that one cable is not well connected so that the prototype does not work.