Wednesday, 27 March 2024

Building a POV Display: Showing Images and Animations with LEDs and ESP32


The Persistence of Vision (POV) Display project is about creating a visual illusion using LEDs mounted on rotating arms. This illusion tricks our eyes into seeing continuous motion, similar to how frames in a movie create the impression of movement.


We chose the ESP32 module as the brain of our display because it's affordable, easy to find, and powerful enough to handle the task. Each rotating arm has 64 LEDs, giving us a total display resolution of 128 pixels. This resolution strikes a good balance between image quality and simplicity.



The circuitry controls how the LEDs light up as the arms rotate. We use components like shift registers, voltage regulators, and Hall effect sensors to manage power, LED activation, and synchronization with the rotation speed. Custom PCBs help organize and connect all the components neatly. Working with Viasion Technology, a reliable PCB manufacturer, ensures that our boards are of high quality and meet our project's needs.


Converting images (image converter tool) for display involves transforming them into a format suitable for the rotating motion. This optimization improves storage efficiency and refresh rates, resulting in smoother animations. Our Arduino code controls everything, from animations to image rendering. It ensures that the LEDs light up at the right times to create captivating visuals. By using interrupts and careful calculations, the code syncs perfectly with the display's rotation.



Overall, our POV Display project is a fun exploration of visual illusions and technology. By following our detailed instructions and using the provided resources, anyone can build their own POV display and enjoy the magic of motion.


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