RoboTechROBOTECH

Quick Start Guide

Get your NeoRing running in under 5 minutes.

Prerequisites

  • Arduino IDE (1.8+) or Arduino IDE 2.x
  • An Arduino-compatible board (Uno, Nano, ESP32, RP2040, etc.)
  • A USB cable
  • 3 jumper wires

Step 1: Install the Library

  1. Download RobotechPixel-1.0.1.zip
  2. Open Arduino IDE
  3. Go to Sketch → Include Library → Add .ZIP Library...
  4. Select the downloaded ZIP file
  5. Install the Adafruit NeoPixel dependency: Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries, search "Adafruit NeoPixel", click Install

Step 2: Wire the NeoRing

Connect 3 wires from your board to the NeoRing:

NeoRing PadArduino PinDescription
VCC5VPower supply
GNDGNDGround
DINPin 7Data input

Note: At full brightness with all LEDs white, the NeoRing draws up to 0.68A (measured). A single board is USB-safe even at full brightness on USB-C (1.5A) or USB 3.x (900mA) ports. USB 2.0 (500mA) is marginal at full brightness — reduce brightness or use an external supply. The default firmware limits brightness to 150/255 as a conservative default for multi-board setups.

Step 3: Upload the Library Effects Demo

Open the included demo: File → Examples → RobotechPixel → LibraryEffectsDemo

Or paste this into a new sketch:

#include <RobotechPixel.h>

// Board type, number of boards, data pin
RobotechPixel px(BOARD_NEORING, 1, 7);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  px.begin();
  px.setBrightness(150);
}

void loop() {
  fxAutoCycle(px, millis());
}

Upload, then open the Serial Monitor (115200 baud). The NeoRing starts in Auto Cycle mode, rotating through all 26 built-in effects.

Step 4: Explore Effects

Type a letter in the Serial Monitor to jump to any effect:

KeyEffectKeyEffect
aAuto CyclenTwinkle
bPixel WalkoColor Cycle
cRadar SweeppRainbow Wheel
dDual SpinqWave
eCometsrRipple Pulse
fComet CrossersColor Wipe
gOrbittBreathing
hMeteor ShoweruHeartbeat
iCylonvFire Ring
jTheater ChasewStarfield
kSparklexStrobe
lConfettiyPolice
mSparkszClock

Send B<0-255> to change brightness (e.g. B255 for full, B50 for dim).

Step 5: Tweak Parameters

Each effect has tunable parameters. In the LibraryEffectsDemo sketch, find the effect in the switch statement and change its values:

// Try different colors and speeds
case 'c':
  fxRadarSweep(px, now,
    /*color*/   0xFF0000,   // change from green to red
    /*tailLen*/ 24,          // longer tail
    /*wait*/    15);         // faster sweep
  break;

Edit, re-upload, and see the difference. Check the Effects Reference to see all parameters for every effect, or use the live effects previewer to try different colors and settings in your browser before uploading.

Step 6: Control Individual LEDs

When you're ready to go beyond built-in effects, open File → Examples → RobotechPixel → LEDAccess. This example shows how to address individual LEDs by global index, ring position, and ring helpers — the building blocks for writing your own effects.

Next Steps