WsMax

compact signal extender for WS281x LED data lines

WsMax by licht.team is a compact two-piece signal extender for WS281x LED data lines. It converts single-ended WS281x data to a differential RS-485-style transport over standard 3-pin XLR DMX cable, then converts it back to WS281x data at the strip side.

WsMax is designed for simple setup, robust field wiring, and predictable operation in installations where direct WS281x wiring would be unstable or too short.

key features

  • differential data transport based on EIA-485 signaling principles
  • half-duplex RS-485 transceiver stage at 5 V, up to 2.5 Mbit/s signaling
  • long cable runs over standard 3-pin XLR DMX cable
  • officially supported link length: up to 1000 m, depending on cable quality
  • two dedicated inline units: transmitter side and receiver side
  • fixed 120 ohm line termination on transmitter and receiver side
  • direct JST-SM 3-pin integration on controller and strip side
  • typical WS2811 payload transport: 24 bit per pixel, GRB, one-wire NRZ
  • compatible with 400 kbit/s and 800 kbit/s WS281x streams
  • no app, no software, no protocol bridge setup

designed for practical field use

WsMax focuses on one task, stable transport of WS281x data over longer distances than direct single-wire wiring. The form factor is optimized for quick inline integration with existing LED strip wiring and common stage DMX cables.

typical applications

  • long-distance feed from controller rack to remote LED strip segments
  • temporary stage and event setups with DMX cable infrastructure
  • installations with noisy electrical environments
  • field troubleshooting where direct data wiring is unstable

at a glance

  • transport medium: 3-pin XLR DMX cable
  • protocol transport layer: differential pair, RS-485-style
  • controller-side connector: JST-SM 3-pin female plus XLR male
  • strip-side connector: JST-SM 3-pin male plus XLR female
  • nominal operating voltage per unit: 5 V DC

compatibility

WsMax is intended for controllers and LED strips that use WS281x-style single-wire data signaling at 5 V logic levels, including typical WS2811, WS2812, and compatible families.

WsMax is compatible with WS2811-class stream rates at 400 kbit/s and 800 kbit/s and transports the common 24-bit GRB payload unchanged.

Absolute maximum ratings for the transceiver stage are supply pin -0.3 V to +12 V, bus pins A/B -8 V to +12.5 V, and logic pins -0.3 V to VCC +0.3 V.

For best results, use 120 ohm DMX-grade twisted-pair cable and keep controller, receiver, and strip grounds referenced as documented in the user guide.

notice

Specifications and features may change without prior notice.