One Board. Both Directions.
The Symmetrizer converts SPI pixel data from differential to TTL out of the box. Short two solder pads and the same board converts TTL to differential instead, so it can work as the receiver at your LED strip or as the transmitter next to a controller.
Two Modes
Set the direction with two solder pads
By default the direction selector is open and the board works as a de-symmetrizer: it takes the differential A/B signal from a long cable and turns it back into TTL data for the first pixel.
Short the two pads and the board becomes a symmetrizer: it takes TTL data from a controller or a strip output and sends it out as a differential signal on the twisted pair.
- Pads open: differential → TTL (default)
- Pads shorted: TTL → differential
- TTL side: low 0–0.7 V, high 3.5–5 V
- Differential side: minimum 0.2 V between A and B
Which Setup
One board or a pair?
With LEC3 or SPI Matrix you need only one board. The transmitting side is already built into the controller outputs, so a single Symmetrizer in its default mode sits at the start of the LED segment. More in Long-Distance SPI Signal.
Third-party SPI pixel controllers send plain TTL data, so they need a pair: the first board, set to TTL → differential, right next to the controller output, and the second, in its default mode, at the start of the LED strip. The same pair also works as a booster between two strip sections.
- LEC3 or SPI Matrix: one board at the strip, default mode
- Third-party SPI controller: two boards, one in each mode
- Strip to strip: two boards as a booster between sections
Direction Selector
Mode setting
FAQ
Converter questions
Differential to TTL. That is the mode you need at the LED strip when the signal comes from LEC3, SPI Matrix or another Symmetrizer.
No. LEC3 and SPI Matrix already send a differential signal, so one board at the strip is enough. Third-party SPI controllers and strip-to-strip boosters need a pair.
The Symmetrizer handles data up to 1 MHz, which covers the 800 kHz single-wire signal of WS2811-family pixels.
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