How to Connect NeoPixel Ring to Raspberry Pi Pico in Wokwi: Complete LED Tutorial

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This tutorial shows you how to wire and program a WS2812B NeoPixel RGB LED ring with Raspberry Pi Pico using the Wokwi simulator. Create stunning light effects, animations, and color patterns!

What is a NeoPixel Ring?

A NeoPixel ring is a circular arrangement of addressable RGB LEDs (WS2812B). Each LED can display any color independently, making them perfect for animations, indicators, and decorative lighting projects.

Getting Started with Wokwi

Step 1: Open Wokwi and Create New Project

  • Go to https://wokwi.com
  • Click "New Project"
  • Select "Raspberry Pi Pico" as your board

Step 2: Add the NeoPixel Ring Component

Add NeoPixel Ring:

  • Click the blue "+" button
  • Search for "NeoPixel" or "WS2812"
  • Select "NeoPixel Ring" (typically 12, 16, or 24 LEDs)
  • Click to add it to your workspace
  • The default is usually a 12-LED ring

Configure Ring Size (Optional):

  • Click on the NeoPixel ring
  • In the properties panel, you can change:
    • Number of pixels (12, 16, 24, etc.)
    • Pin configuration

Step 3: Understanding NeoPixel Ring Pins

The NeoPixel ring has 3 or 4 connections:

  • VCC/5V - Power supply (can use 3.3V or 5V)
  • GND - Ground
  • DIN/DATA - Data input signal
  • DOUT - Data output (for chaining multiple rings - not needed for single ring)

Step 4: Wire the Circuit in Wokwi

Based on your diagram, make these connections:

Diagram.json:

{
  "version": 1,
  "author": "Uri Shaked",
  "editor": "wokwi",
  "parts": [
    {
      "type": "wokwi-pi-pico",
      "id": "pico",
      "top": 80.37,
      "left": 2.96,
      "attrs": { "env": "micropython-20210902-v1.17" }
    },
    {
      "type": "wokwi-led-ring",
      "id": "ring1",
      "top": 3.2,
      "left": -177.15,
      "attrs": { "pixels": "16" }
    }
  ],
  "connections": [
    [ "pico:GP6", "ring1:DIN", "green", [ "h0" ] ],
    [ "ring1:VCC", "pico:3V3", "red", [ "v128.24", "h238.19", "v-147.43" ] ],
    [ "ring1:GND", "pico:GND.3", "black", [ "v0" ] ]
  ]
}

Power Connection (Red Wire):

  • Connect VCC on NeoPixel ring to VBUS (5V) or 3V3 on the Pico
  • For best brightness, use VBUS (5V pin)

Ground Connection (Green/Black Wire):

  • Connect GND on NeoPixel ring to GND on the Pico
  • This completes the power circuit

Data Connection (Green Wire):

  • Connect DIN (Data In) on NeoPixel ring to GP0 on the Pico
  • You can use any GPIO pin, but GP0 is shown in your diagram

Wiring Steps:

  1. Click the VCC pin on the ring → drag to VBUS on Pico
  2. Click the GND pin on the ring → drag to GND on Pico
  3. Click the DIN pin on the ring → drag to GP0 on Pico

Step 5: Install NeoPixel Library Code

For Raspberry Pi Pico, you'll need to use the neopixel library. In Wokwi, create this code:

import time
from neopixel import Neopixel
pixels = Neopixel(17, 0, 6, "GRB")

colors = [
  (0xb6, 0xe4, 0x30),
  (0x42, 0xd1, 0xe0),
]

pixel_index = 0
color_index = 0
while True:
  pixels.set_pixel(pixel_index, colors[color_index])
  pixels.show()
  #print(pixel_index, colors[color_index])
  pixel_index += 1
  if pixel_index == 16:
    pixel_index = 0
    color_index = (color_index + 1) % 2
  time.sleep(0.1)

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