You would like to create a LED Matrix, but the only matter is you don’t want to get too fussy with soldering each LED individually?

Well, there is always a good alternative here and it’s doesn’t costing you too much.

Those components that needed are:

  • Two 5×7 LED Matrix Displays
  • Solder Breadboard
  • Transistors
  • Resistors
  • 4017 Chip (For switching in between the columns)
  • Wires, wireclip and parallel port connector

The main function for 4017 chip is it switches the columns within seconds.

For this project, 10 transistors and resistors will be needed. The parallel port sends a signal to the transistor, the transistor will acts as a switch. By this way, the external power supply can give the current needed to light up the LEDs.

5-6 volts is connected to power up the two 5×7 LED Matrix displays.

For the software part, you might be having the problem with programming, especially getting the correct timing. You must know that the Windows 98 and Window 2K /XP both handle the timing calls differently. The best timer for Window 98 would be the TimeGetTime counter, while QueryPerformanceCoutner timer for those Window 2K/XP users.

The below figure shows the display in the LED Matrix Displays.

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