LED Dot Matrix Display

This section describes how to use VisionFive 2 or VisionFive 2 Lite's GPIO pins for LED dot matrix display. The MAX7219 module is used in this demo program to show how it displays the StarFive logo through an example program with Python.

Hardware Setup

Connect the MAX7219 module to the 40-pin header of VisionFive 2 or VisionFive 2 Lite as follows.

Figure 1. Connect MAX7219 to the 40-Pin Header


MAX7219	40-Pin GPIO Header
MAX7219	Pin Number	Pin Name
VCC	2	5V Power
GND	34	GND
DIN	40	GPIO44
CS	38	GPIO61
CLK	36	GPIO36

Run Demo Code

Perform the following steps on Debian of VisionFive 2 or VisionFive 2 Lite.

Locate the directory where the test code, LED_Matrix.py, exists.
1. Source into the PYthon3 Virtual Environment.
```
source ./myvenv/bin/activate
```
2. Install the dependency.
```
python3 -m pip install pillow
```
3. Get the directory where VisionFive.gpio exists.
```
python3 -m pip show VisionFive.gpio
```
  Note: The output depends on how the application is installed.
4. Enter the VisionFive.gpio directory.
```
cd <VisionFive.gpio directory>
```
5. Enter the sample-code directory.
```
cd ./VisionFive/sample-code/
```
Under the sample-code directory, execute the following command to run the demo code.
```
sudo python  LED_Matrix.py
```
Alternatively, you can also run the following command.
```
sudo python3  LED_Matrix.py
```
The LED Matrix module displays the "S" logo.
Figure 2. S Logo

Note: For details about the source code, see LED_Matrix.py Source Code.
(Optional) Exit the Python3 Virtual Environment.
```
deactivate
```