Arduino-compatible driver for controlling MAX7219/MAX7221 LED matrix chips. Supports both software and hardware SPI implementations under a unified API, compatible with the SBK_BarDrive animation framework or standalone use.

• Updated the begin() function to improve initialization stability.

Note: All version 1.x.x releases are deprecated. Please migrate to version 2.0+ for full feature support and long-term maintenance.

• Supports both hardware SPI (SBK_MAX72xxHard) and software SPI (SBK_MAX72xxSoft)
• Control individual LEDs or full rows on daisy-chained MAX72xx chips
• Internal buffer system for efficient display updates
• Compatible with SBK_BarDrive for advanced LED bar meter animations

1. Download or clone this repository:

   git clone https://github.com/sbarabe/SBK_MAX72xx.git

2. Copy it into your Arduino libraries/ folder

File: examples/simpleDemo/simpleDemo.ino

#include <SBK_MAX72xxSoft.h>

SBK_MAX72xxSoft matrix(4, 5, 6, 1); // data, clk, cs, 1 device

void setup() {
  matrix.begin();
  matrix.setBrightness(0, 10);
  matrix.clear(0);

  // Light up a diagonal
  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
    matrix.setLed(0, i, i, true);
  }

  matrix.show(0);
}

void loop() {
  // nothing
}

File: examples/simpleDemo/simpleDemo.ino

#include <SBK_MAX72xxHard.h>

SBK_MAX72xxHard matrix(10, 1); // CS pin, 1 device

void setup() {
  matrix.begin();
  matrix.setSPIClock(2000000); // Optional: Set SPI speed to 2 MHz
  matrix.setBrightness(0, 12);
  matrix.clear(0);

  // Create an X pattern
  for (uint8_t i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
    matrix.setLed(0, i, i, true);
    matrix.setLed(0, i, 7 - i, true);
  }

  matrix.show(0);
}

void loop() {
  // nothing
}

To use with SBK_BarDrive:

• Include either <SBK_MAX72xxSoft.h> or <SBK_MAX72xxHard.h>
• Pass the driver into a SBK_BarDrive<SBK_MAX72xx...> instance

This library is released under the MIT License.

• Based on the original LedControl library by Eberhard Fahle
• Extended and maintained by Samuel Barabé (Smart Builds & Kits)