Scrolling Message Display with Wi-Fi: 512 LEDs & ESP-12

In Edition 3/2018 of Elektor Magazine you were able to read about a new scrolling-text project using an impressive row of eight 8 × 8 LED matrix displays. It's ESP-12F Wi-Fi module (based on the ESP8266) is easily programmed with the Arduino IDE. So, from your mobile phone or any other Wi-Fi device, it suffices to send the text to display and the speed and brightness controls to an ESP8266 webserver.

From the project page on the Elektor Labs website, you will learn how a first wired network version of this project was enhanced by adding the ESP8266-based wireless module.

LED matrix

There are many LED matrix models distinguished mainly by their poorly documented device orientation. Unfortunately, this can only be determined after the components have been purchased and put into service, with Mr Murphy watching. To avoid the embarrassment, Elektor Labs in their online store propose a set of eight of these components (marked FC-16).
The LED matrices are mounted side by side, connecting the data output from one side to the data input from the other. The printed circuit board is designed accordingly, with simple routing and short lines.
 

Material

• ESP-12 Wi-Fi module
• 8 x 8 LED matrix
• 3.3-V (5 V / 2 A) power supply

The circuit proposed by Elektor Labs is protected against reverse polarity, muddled up connections, untimely resets, and interference.

Software

The well documented MD_MAX72xx library recognises various types of LED array controlled by the MAX7219; it will optionally allow you to change the orientation of the displayed text.
Many variants are available. The sketch is profusely commented in English.