Project Specification — 10-Channel LED Strip Controller
Project Overview
Status: Draft schematic in progress. ATmega-based SMD controller for ten 12 V LED-strip channels, each up to 2 A.
Intended Use
Controls 12 V LED strips/effects. One pushbutton cycles through ten lighting patterns and the selected pattern remains active.
What the Device Should Do
- Drive 10 independent 12 V LED-strip outputs.
- Support up to 2 A per output channel.
- Run right-to-left sequential animation plus other pattern variants in firmware.
- Advance pattern using one pushbutton.
- Retain the selected pattern in MCU nonvolatile memory.
Main Features
- ATmega328P-AU TQFP MCU.
- Ten logic-level N-MOSFET low-side switches.
- 12 V high-current input and ten LED output connectors.
- 5 V buck regulator for MCU logic.
- AVR ISP programming header.
System Architecture
12 V input -> high-current distribution -> LED strip positives; LED negatives -> MOSFET low-side switches -> GND. 12 V input also feeds a 5 V buck regulator for the ATmega.
Hardware Subsystems
- Power: 12 V input, 5 V buck, bulk/decoupling capacitors.
- Compute: ATmega328P-AU, internal 8 MHz oscillator, reset/ISP.
- Outputs: 10 MOSFET low-side channels with gate resistors and pull-downs.
- UI: one mode pushbutton.
Interfaces and Connections
- J1: 12 V high-current input.
- J2-J11: LED strip channel outputs, each +12 V and switched low side.
- J12: AVR ISP header.
- SW1: mode button.
Power and Runtime Expectations
External 12 V supply required. Maximum LED load is 20 A total if all ten 2 A channels are on.
Power Tree and Power Budget
- 12 V LED rail: 10 x 2 A = 20 A peak.
- 5 V logic rail: ATmega + MOSFET gate drive + support circuitry, design target <100 mA; buck selected with 1 A capability.
- Input connector and copper must be sized for at least 20 A continuous plus margin.
Manufacturing and Assembly Expectations
Main electronics are SMD. High-current screw/terminal connectors may be through-hole for mechanical/current capacity.
Firmware-Relevant Hardware Requirements
- 10 GPIO outputs for LED channels.
- 1 GPIO input for mode button.
- EEPROM used to retain selected pattern.
- ISP header for programming.
Physical Design Expectations
PCB must use wide copper pours/traces for 12 V and return currents. MOSFETs should be placed near output connectors with thermal copper.
Important Design Decisions
- Low-side N-MOSFET switching is used because LED strips are 12 V loads and ATmega GPIO cannot drive 2 A directly.
- A switching buck regulator is used instead of a 12 V-to-5 V linear regulator to avoid heat.
- Internal ATmega oscillator is acceptable for LED effects, avoiding an unavailable 16 MHz crystal.
Assumptions
- LED strips share common +12 V and are switched on the negative side.
- 12 V supply is external and can provide at least 20 A.
- No communication interface is required beyond ISP programming.
Change Notes
- Initial requirements captured from user: 12 V LED strips, 2 A/channel, 10 outputs, 10 patterns, one button, SMD PCB.