Scrolling LED Matrix Controlled by a Netduino Microcontroller

Abstract:
Stacy Devino & Stephen Wylie will be presenting a low-cost modular tri-color scrolling LED matrix controlled by a Netduino microcontroller. Most LED matrices are of a fixed size and cannot be linked together easily. My project has been designed so that each 5x7 character is a stand-alone module that can be snapped together with other characters to create a chain of up to 128 characters (in theory: electrically, I'm still not sure how feasible this is). The individual LED matrices consist of red and green LEDs which can also be turned on simultaneously to present yellow. The parts can be found for very cheap; each character module can be made for under $10 with bulk ordering of parts. The code loaded on the Netduino takes the desired message words, converts them into a "scrollable" format, and encodes them into a byte stream sent to each character module using a special serial protocol responsible for addressing each module and activating the different colors. The magic is in the protocol, designed jointly with Stacy, since it requires only 3 wires between the modules: Power, Ground, and Serial RX. I will describe the Netduino code and the special protocol, and will provide a framework for easily generating characters on a 5x7 character matrix. The board behind each character was designed and optimized for minimum cost by Stacy. The board design is kept simple and easy to build because we use a minimal number of ICs and components.
Bios:
Stephen Wylie is a firmware test engineer for a $50 billion company by day, and a zealous Mobile and Web developer by night. His projects span several languages and tackle challenges in audio and image processing, machine learning, and general IT consulting for various industries. Stephen is a published developer on the Android Market with two applications including Owtsee, a Web and Mobile app, which recently took 3rd place in the Apps for Metro Chicago contest's Grand Challenge, and is a contestant in NYC's BigApps 3.0. Stephen occasionally dabbles in embedded development (although his true hardware side is Stacy), and is looking forward to writing more firmware now that he can do so in .NET. When not developing, Stephen enjoys vintage music and television game shows from the 1960s and 70s, speculating on the stock market, and dressing up on Fridays. He received his B.S. in computer engineering in 2009 and his M.S. in computer science in 2011 from Northwestern University in Chicago. @SWebCEO http://www.stev-o.us
Stacy Devino is a young computer engineer working in mobile and cellular fields. In her spare time, she will devise everything from analog tube circuits to advanced digital design and mobile applications. Stacy and her blog ( DoesitPew.blogspot.com ) have been featured on Gizmodo, Lifehacker, Geek, Consumerist, Digg, XDA-Developers, Rootzwiki, and HackaDay just to name a few. Her blog focuses on creating beautiful and simple methods or interfaces that allow the average person to get started in making and learning for little or no cost. When not doing projects or helping others, Stacy enjoys audiophile & vintage audio activities, cooking, singing, French horn, drawing, crafting, and playing with her dog "Pear".