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LED Matrix Lighting

This feature allows you to use LED matrices driven by external drivers. It hooks into the backlight system so you can use the same keycodes as backlighting to control it.

If you want to use RGB LED's you should use the RGB Matrix Subsystem instead.

Driver configuration


IS31FL3731

There is basic support for addressable LED matrix lighting with the I2C IS31FL3731 LED controller. To enable it, add this to your rules.mk:

LED_MATRIX_ENABLE = yes
LED_MATRIX_DRIVER = IS31FL3731

You can use between 1 and 4 IS31FL3731 IC's. Do not specify LED_DRIVER_ADDR_<N> defines for IC's that are not present on your keyboard. You can define the following items in config.h:

VariableDescriptionDefault
ISSI_TIMEOUT(Optional) How long to wait for i2c messages, in milliseconds100
ISSI_PERSISTENCE(Optional) Retry failed messages this many times0
LED_DRIVER_COUNT(Required) How many LED driver IC's are present
LED_MATRIX_LED_COUNT(Required) How many LED lights are present across all drivers
LED_DRIVER_ADDR_1(Required) Address for the first LED driver
LED_DRIVER_ADDR_2(Optional) Address for the second LED driver
LED_DRIVER_ADDR_3(Optional) Address for the third LED driver
LED_DRIVER_ADDR_4(Optional) Address for the fourth LED driver

Here is an example using 2 drivers.

// This is a 7-bit address, that gets left-shifted and bit 0
// set to 0 for write, 1 for read (as per I2C protocol)
// The address will vary depending on your wiring:
// 0b1110100 AD <-> GND
// 0b1110111 AD <-> VCC
// 0b1110101 AD <-> SCL
// 0b1110110 AD <-> SDA
#define LED_DRIVER_ADDR_1 0b1110100
#define LED_DRIVER_ADDR_2 0b1110110

#define LED_DRIVER_COUNT 2
#define LED_DRIVER_1_LED_TOTAL 25
#define LED_DRIVER_2_LED_TOTAL 24
#define LED_MATRIX_LED_COUNT (LED_DRIVER_1_LED_TOTAL + LED_DRIVER_2_LED_TOTAL)
caution

Note the parentheses, this is so when LED_MATRIX_LED_COUNT is used in code and expanded, the values are added together before any additional math is applied to them. As an example, rand() % (LED_DRIVER_1_LED_TOTAL + LED_DRIVER_2_LED_TOTAL) will give very different results than rand() % LED_DRIVER_1_LED_TOTAL + LED_DRIVER_2_LED_TOTAL.

For split keyboards using LED_MATRIX_SPLIT with an LED driver, you can either have the same driver address or different driver addresses. If using different addresses, use DRIVER_ADDR_1 for one and DRIVER_ADDR_2 for the other one. Then, in g_is31_leds, fill out the correct driver index (0 or 1). If using one address, use DRIVER_ADDR_1 for both, and use index 0 for g_is31_leds.

Define these arrays listing all the LEDs in your <keyboard>.c:

const is31_led PROGMEM g_is31_leds[LED_MATRIX_LED_COUNT] = {
/* Refer to IS31 manual for these locations
* driver
* | LED address
* | | */
{ 0, C1_1 },
{ 0, C1_15 },
// ...
}

Where Cx_y is the location of the LED in the matrix defined by the datasheet and the header file drivers/led/issi/is31fl3731-simple.h. The driver is the index of the driver you defined in your config.h (0, 1, 2, or 3 ).


IS31FLCOMMON

There is basic support for addressable LED matrix lighting with a selection of I2C ISSI Lumissil LED controllers through a shared common driver. To enable it, add this to your rules.mk:

LED_MATRIX_ENABLE = yes
LED_MATRIX_DRIVER = <driver name>

Where <driver name> is the applicable LED driver chip as below

Driver NameData SheetCapability
IS31FL3742Adatasheet180 LED, 30x6 Matrix
IS31FL3743Adatasheet198 LED, 18x11 Matrix
IS31FL3745datasheet144 LED, 18x8 Matrix
IS31FL3746Adatasheet72 LED, 18x4 Matrix

You can use between 1 and 4 IC's. Do not specify DRIVER_ADDR_<N> define for IC's if not present on your keyboard. The DRIVER_ADDR_1 default assumes that all Address pins on the controller have been connected to GND. Drivers that have SYNC functionality have the default settings to disable if 1 driver. If more than 1 drivers then DRIVER_ADDR_1 will be set to Master and the remaiing ones set to Slave.

Configure the hardware via your config.h:

VariableDescriptionDefault
ISSI_TIMEOUT(Optional) How long to wait for i2c messages, in milliseconds100
ISSI_PERSISTENCE(Optional) Retry failed messages this many times0
DRIVER_COUNT(Required) How many LED driver IC's are present
LED_MATRIX_LED_COUNT(Required) How many LED lights are present across all drivers
DRIVER_ADDR_1(Optional) Address for the first LED driver
DRIVER_ADDR_<N>(Required) Address for the additional LED drivers
ISSI_SSR_<N>(Optional) Configuration for the Spread Spectrum Register
ISSI_CONFIGURATION(Optional) Configuration for the Configuration Register
ISSI_GLOBALCURRENT(Optional) Configuration for the Global Current Register0xFF
ISSI_PULLDOWNUP(Optional) Configuration for the Pull Up & Pull Down Register
ISSI_TEMP(Optional) Configuration for the Tempature Register
ISSI_PWM_ENABLE(Optional) Configuration for the PWM Enable Register
ISSI_PWM_SET(Optional) Configuration for the PWM Setting Register
ISSI_SCAL_LED (Optional) Configuration for the LEDs Scaling Registers0xFF
ISSI_MANUAL_SCALING(Optional) If you wish to configure the Scaling Registers manually

Defaults

VariableIS31FL3742AIS31FL3743AIS31FL3745IS31FL3746
DRIVER_ADDR_10b01100000b01000000b01000000b1100000
ISSI_SSR_10x000x00 / 0x600x00 / 0xC00x00
ISSI_SSR_<2-4>0x000x400x800x00
ISSI_CONFIGURATION0x310x010x310x01
ISSI_PULLDOWNUP0x550x330x330x33
ISSI_TEMPN/A0x000x000x00
ISSI_PWM_ENABLEN/AN/AN/A0x00
ISSI_PWM_SET0x00N/AN/A0x00

Here is an example using 2 drivers.

#define DRIVER_ADDR_2 0b0100001

#define DRIVER_COUNT 2
#define DRIVER_1_LED_TOTAL 66
#define DRIVER_2_LED_TOTAL 42
#define LED_MATRIX_LED_COUNT (DRIVER_1_LED_TOTAL + DRIVER_2_LED_TOTAL)
caution

Note the parentheses, this is so when LED_MATRIX_LED_COUNT is used in code and expanded, the values are added together before any additional math is applied to them. As an example, rand() % (DRIVER_1_LED_TOTAL + DRIVER_2_LED_TOTAL) will give very different results than rand() % DRIVER_1_LED_TOTAL + DRIVER_2_LED_TOTAL.

Currently only 4 drivers are supported, but it would be trivial to support for more. Note that using a combination of different drivers is not supported. All drivers must be of the same model.

Define these arrays listing all the LEDs in your <keyboard>.c:

const is31_led __flash g_is31_leds[LED_MATRIX_LED_COUNT] = {
/* Refer to IS31 manual for these locations
* driver
* | LED address
* | | */
{ 0, CS1_SW1 },
{ 0, CS2_SW1 },
// ...
}

Where CSx_SWx is the location of the LED in the matrix defined by the datasheet. The driver is the index of the driver you defined in your config.h (0, 1, 2, or 3 for now).

ISSI_MANUAL_SCALING is used to override the Scaling for individual LED's. By default they will be set as per ISSI_SCAL_LED. In config.h set how many LED's you want to manually set scaling for. Eg #define ISSI_MANUAL_SCALING 3

Then Define the array listing all the LEDs you want to override in your <keyboard>.c:

const is31_led __flash g_is31_scaling[ISSI_MANUAL_SCALING] = {
* LED Index
* | Scaling
* | | */
{5, 120},
{9, 120},
....
}

Where LED Index is the position of the LED in the g_is31_leds array. The scaling value between 0 and 255 to be written to the Scaling Register.


Common Configuration

From this point forward the configuration is the same for all the drivers. The led_config_t struct provides a key electrical matrix to led index lookup table, what the physical position of each LED is on the board, and what type of key or usage the LED if the LED represents. Here is a brief example:

led_config_t g_led_config = { {
// Key Matrix to LED Index
{ 5, NO_LED, NO_LED, 0 },
{ NO_LED, NO_LED, NO_LED, NO_LED },
{ 4, NO_LED, NO_LED, 1 },
{ 3, NO_LED, NO_LED, 2 }
}, {
// LED Index to Physical Position
{ 188, 16 }, { 187, 48 }, { 149, 64 }, { 112, 64 }, { 37, 48 }, { 38, 16 }
}, {
// LED Index to Flag
1, 4, 4, 4, 4, 1
} };

The first part, // Key Matrix to LED Index, tells the system what key this LED represents by using the key's electrical matrix row & col. The second part, // LED Index to Physical Position represents the LED's physical { x, y } position on the keyboard. The default expected range of values for { x, y } is the inclusive range { 0..224, 0..64 }. This default expected range is due to effects that calculate the center of the keyboard for their animations. The easiest way to calculate these positions is imagine your keyboard is a grid, and the top left of the keyboard represents { x, y } coordinate { 0, 0 } and the bottom right of your keyboard represents { 224, 64 }. Using this as a basis, you can use the following formula to calculate the physical position:

x = 224 / (NUMBER_OF_COLS - 1) * COL_POSITION
y = 64 / (NUMBER_OF_ROWS - 1) * ROW_POSITION

Where NUMBER_OF_COLS, NUMBER_OF_ROWS, COL_POSITION, & ROW_POSITION are all based on the physical layout of your keyboard, not the electrical layout.

As mentioned earlier, the center of the keyboard by default is expected to be { 112, 32 }, but this can be changed if you want to more accurately calculate the LED's physical { x, y } positions. Keyboard designers can implement #define LED_MATRIX_CENTER { 112, 32 } in their config.h file with the new center point of the keyboard, or where they want it to be allowing more possibilities for the { x, y } values. Do note that the maximum value for x or y is 255, and the recommended maximum is 224 as this gives animations runoff room before they reset.

// LED Index to Flag is a bitmask, whether or not a certain LEDs is of a certain type. It is recommended that LEDs are set to only 1 type.

Flags

DefineValueDescription
HAS_FLAGS(bits, flags)n/aEvaluates to true if bits has all flags set
HAS_ANY_FLAGS(bits, flags)n/aEvaluates to true if bits has any flags set
LED_FLAG_NONE0x00If this LED has no flags
LED_FLAG_ALL0xFFIf this LED has all flags
LED_FLAG_MODIFIER0x01If the LED is on a modifier key
LED_FLAG_KEYLIGHT0x04If the LED is for key backlight
LED_FLAG_INDICATOR0x08If the LED is for keyboard state indication

Keycodes

All LED matrix keycodes are currently shared with the Backlight feature.

KeyAliasesDescription
QK_BACKLIGHT_TOGGLEBL_TOGGToggle LED Matrix on or off
QK_BACKLIGHT_STEPBL_STEPCycle through modes
QK_BACKLIGHT_ONBL_ONTurn on LED Matrix
QK_BACKLIGHT_OFFBL_OFFTurn off LED Matrix
QK_BACKLIGHT_UPBL_UPIncrease the brightness level
QK_BACKLIGHT_DOWNBL_DOWNDecrease the brightness level

LED Matrix Effects

These are the effects that are currently available:

enum led_matrix_effects {
LED_MATRIX_NONE = 0,
LED_MATRIX_SOLID = 1, // Static single val, no speed support
LED_MATRIX_ALPHAS_MODS, // Static dual val, speed is val for LEDs marked as modifiers
LED_MATRIX_BREATHING, // Cycling brightness animation
LED_MATRIX_BAND, // Band fading brightness scrolling left to right
LED_MATRIX_BAND_PINWHEEL, // 3 blade spinning pinwheel fades brightness
LED_MATRIX_BAND_SPIRAL, // Spinning spiral fades brightness
LED_MATRIX_CYCLE_LEFT_RIGHT, // Full gradient scrolling left to right
LED_MATRIX_CYCLE_UP_DOWN, // Full gradient scrolling top to bottom
LED_MATRIX_CYCLE_OUT_IN, // Full gradient scrolling out to in
LED_MATRIX_DUAL_BEACON, // Full gradient spinning around center of keyboard
#if defined(LED_MATRIX_KEYPRESSES) || defined(LED_MATRIX_KEYRELEASES)
LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_SIMPLE, // Pulses keys hit then fades out
LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_WIDE // Value pulses near a single key hit then fades out
LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_MULTIWIDE // Value pulses near multiple key hits then fades out
LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_CROSS // Value pulses the same column and row of a single key hit then fades out
LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_MULTICROSS // Value pulses the same column and row of multiple key hits then fades out
LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_NEXUS // Value pulses away on the same column and row of a single key hit then fades out
LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_MULTINEXUS // Value pulses away on the same column and row of multiple key hits then fades out
LED_MATRIX_SOLID_SPLASH, // Value pulses away from a single key hit then fades out
LED_MATRIX_SOLID_MULTISPLASH, // Value pulses away from multiple key hits then fades out
#endif
LED_MATRIX_WAVE_LEFT_RIGHT // Sine wave scrolling from left to right
LED_MATRIX_WAVE_UP_DOWN // Sine wave scrolling from up to down
LED_MATRIX_EFFECT_MAX
};

You can enable a single effect by defining ENABLE_[EFFECT_NAME] in your config.h:

DefineDescription
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_ALPHAS_MODSEnables LED_MATRIX_ALPHAS_MODS
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_BREATHINGEnables LED_MATRIX_BREATHING
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_BANDEnables LED_MATRIX_BAND
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_BAND_PINWHEELEnables LED_MATRIX_BAND_PINWHEEL
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_BAND_SPIRALEnables LED_MATRIX_BAND_SPIRAL
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_CYCLE_LEFT_RIGHTEnables LED_MATRIX_CYCLE_LEFT_RIGHT
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_CYCLE_UP_DOWNEnables LED_MATRIX_CYCLE_UP_DOWN
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_CYCLE_OUT_INEnables LED_MATRIX_CYCLE_OUT_IN
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_DUAL_BEACONEnables LED_MATRIX_DUAL_BEACON
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_WAVE_LEFT_RIGHTEnables LED_MATRIX_WAVE_LEFT_RIGHT
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_WAVE_UP_DOWNEnables LED_MATRIX_WAVE_UP_DOWN
tip

These modes don't require any additional defines.

Reactive DefinesDescription
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_SIMPLEEnables LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_SIMPLE
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_WIDEEnables LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_WIDE
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_MULTIWIDEEnables LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_MULTIWIDE
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_CROSSEnables LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_CROSS
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_MULTICROSSEnables LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_MULTICROSS
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_NEXUSEnables LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_NEXUS
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_MULTINEXUSEnables LED_MATRIX_SOLID_REACTIVE_MULTINEXUS
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_SOLID_SPLASHEnables LED_MATRIX_SOLID_SPLASH
#define ENABLE_LED_MATRIX_SOLID_MULTISPLASHEnables LED_MATRIX_SOLID_MULTISPLASH
tip

These modes also require the LED_MATRIX_KEYPRESSES or LED_MATRIX_KEYRELEASES define to be available.

Custom LED Matrix Effects

By setting LED_MATRIX_CUSTOM_USER (and/or LED_MATRIX_CUSTOM_KB) in rules.mk, new effects can be defined directly from userspace, without having to edit any QMK core files.

To declare new effects, create a new led_matrix_user/kb.inc that looks something like this:

led_matrix_user.inc should go in the root of the keymap directory. led_matrix_kb.inc should go in the root of the keyboard directory.

To use custom effects in your code, simply prepend LED_MATRIX_CUSTOM_ to the effect name specified in LED_MATRIX_EFFECT(). For example, an effect declared as LED_MATRIX_EFFECT(my_cool_effect) would be referenced with:

led_matrix_mode(led_MATRIX_CUSTOM_my_cool_effect);
// !!! DO NOT ADD #pragma once !!! //

// Step 1.
// Declare custom effects using the LED_MATRIX_EFFECT macro
// (note the lack of semicolon after the macro!)
LED_MATRIX_EFFECT(my_cool_effect)
LED_MATRIX_EFFECT(my_cool_effect2)

// Step 2.
// Define effects inside the `LED_MATRIX_CUSTOM_EFFECT_IMPLS` ifdef block
#ifdef LED_MATRIX_CUSTOM_EFFECT_IMPLS

// e.g: A simple effect, self-contained within a single method
static bool my_cool_effect(effect_params_t* params) {
LED_MATRIX_USE_LIMITS(led_min, led_max);
for (uint8_t i = led_min; i < led_max; i++) {
led_matrix_set_value(i, 0xFF);
}
return led_matrix_check_finished_leds(led_max);
}

// e.g: A more complex effect, relying on external methods and state, with
// dedicated init and run methods
static uint8_t some_global_state;
static void my_cool_effect2_complex_init(effect_params_t* params) {
some_global_state = 1;
}
static bool my_cool_effect2_complex_run(effect_params_t* params) {
LED_MATRIX_USE_LIMITS(led_min, led_max);
for (uint8_t i = led_min; i < led_max; i++) {
led_matrix_set_value(i, some_global_state++);
}
return led_matrix_check_finished_leds(led_max);
}
static bool my_cool_effect2(effect_params_t* params) {
if (params->init) my_cool_effect2_complex_init(params);
return my_cool_effect2_complex_run(params);
}

#endif // LED_MATRIX_CUSTOM_EFFECT_IMPLS

For inspiration and examples, check out the built-in effects under quantum/led_matrix/animations/.

Additional config.h Options

#define LED_MATRIX_KEYPRESSES // reacts to keypresses
#define LED_MATRIX_KEYRELEASES // reacts to keyreleases (instead of keypresses)
#define LED_MATRIX_FRAMEBUFFER_EFFECTS // enable framebuffer effects
#define LED_MATRIX_TIMEOUT 0 // number of milliseconds to wait until led automatically turns off
#define LED_DISABLE_WHEN_USB_SUSPENDED // turn off effects when suspended
#define LED_MATRIX_LED_PROCESS_LIMIT (LED_MATRIX_LED_COUNT + 4) / 5 // limits the number of LEDs to process in an animation per task run (increases keyboard responsiveness)
#define LED_MATRIX_LED_FLUSH_LIMIT 16 // limits in milliseconds how frequently an animation will update the LEDs. 16 (16ms) is equivalent to limiting to 60fps (increases keyboard responsiveness)
#define LED_MATRIX_MAXIMUM_BRIGHTNESS 255 // limits maximum brightness of LEDs
#define LED_MATRIX_DEFAULT_MODE LED_MATRIX_SOLID // Sets the default mode, if none has been set
#define LED_MATRIX_DEFAULT_VAL LED_MATRIX_MAXIMUM_BRIGHTNESS // Sets the default brightness value, if none has been set
#define LED_MATRIX_DEFAULT_SPD 127 // Sets the default animation speed, if none has been set
#define LED_MATRIX_SPLIT { X, Y } // (Optional) For split keyboards, the number of LEDs connected on each half. X = left, Y = Right.
// If LED_MATRIX_KEYPRESSES or LED_MATRIX_KEYRELEASES is enabled, you also will want to enable SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR

EEPROM storage

The EEPROM for it is currently shared with the RGB Matrix system (it's generally assumed only one feature would be used at a time), but could be configured to use its own 32bit address with:

#define EECONFIG_LED_MATRIX (uint32_t *)28

Where 28 is an unused index from eeconfig.h.

Direct Operation

FunctionDescription
led_matrix_set_value_all(v)Set all of the LEDs to the given value, where v is between 0 and 255 (not written to EEPROM)
led_matrix_set_value(index, v)Set a single LED to the given value, where v is between 0 and 255, and index is between 0 and LED_MATRIX_LED_COUNT (not written to EEPROM)

Disable/Enable Effects

FunctionDescription
led_matrix_toggle()Toggle effect range LEDs between on and off
led_matrix_toggle_noeeprom()Toggle effect range LEDs between on and off (not written to EEPROM)
led_matrix_enable()Turn effect range LEDs on, based on their previous state
led_matrix_enable_noeeprom()Turn effect range LEDs on, based on their previous state (not written to EEPROM)
led_matrix_disable()Turn effect range LEDs off, based on their previous state
led_matrix_disable_noeeprom()Turn effect range LEDs off, based on their previous state (not written to EEPROM)

Change Effect Mode

FunctionDescription
led_matrix_mode(mode)Set the mode, if LED animations are enabled
led_matrix_mode_noeeprom(mode)Set the mode, if LED animations are enabled (not written to EEPROM)
led_matrix_step()Change the mode to the next LED animation in the list of enabled LED animations
led_matrix_step_noeeprom()Change the mode to the next LED animation in the list of enabled LED animations (not written to EEPROM)
led_matrix_step_reverse()Change the mode to the previous LED animation in the list of enabled LED animations
led_matrix_step_reverse_noeeprom()Change the mode to the previous LED animation in the list of enabled LED animations (not written to EEPROM)
led_matrix_increase_speed()Increase the speed of the animations
led_matrix_increase_speed_noeeprom()Increase the speed of the animations (not written to EEPROM)
led_matrix_decrease_speed()Decrease the speed of the animations
led_matrix_decrease_speed_noeeprom()Decrease the speed of the animations (not written to EEPROM)
led_matrix_set_speed(speed)Set the speed of the animations to the given value where speed is between 0 and 255
led_matrix_set_speed_noeeprom(speed)Set the speed of the animations to the given value where speed is between 0 and 255 (not written to EEPROM)

Change Value

FunctionDescription
led_matrix_increase_val()Increase the value for effect range LEDs. This wraps around at maximum value
led_matrix_increase_val_noeeprom()Increase the value for effect range LEDs. This wraps around at maximum value (not written to EEPROM)
led_matrix_decrease_val()Decrease the value for effect range LEDs. This wraps around at minimum value
led_matrix_decrease_val_noeeprom()Decrease the value for effect range LEDs. This wraps around at minimum value (not written to EEPROM)

Query Current Status

FunctionDescription
led_matrix_is_enabled()Gets current on/off status
led_matrix_get_mode()Gets current mode
led_matrix_get_val()Gets current val
led_matrix_get_speed()Gets current speed
led_matrix_get_suspend_state()Gets current suspend state

Callbacks

Indicators

If you want to set custom indicators, such as an LED for Caps Lock, or layer indication, you can use the led_matrix_indicators_kb or led_matrix_indicators_user function for that:

bool led_matrix_indicators_kb(void) {
if (!led_matrix_indicators_user()) {
return false;
}
led_matrix_set_value(index, value);
return true;
}

In addition, there are the advanced indicator functions. These are aimed at those with heavily customized displays, where rendering every LED per cycle is expensive. This includes a special macro to help make this easier to use: LED_MATRIX_INDICATOR_SET_VALUE(i, v).

void led_matrix_indicators_advanced_user(uint8_t led_min, uint8_t led_max) {
LED_MATRIX_INDICATOR_SET_VALUE(index, value);
return false;
}