

There are four basic types of shift registers: Serial In – Parallel Out Shift registers deal with both serial and parallel data on both their inputs and outputs and they can convert between these formats. Many complex electronic circuits, such as microprocessors and microcontrollers, use shift registers internally. They can be used in data communications circuits as well as memory and buffer circuits. These devices are used to convert between serial and parallel data. Shift Registers are sequential logic circuits that are used for the conversion, storage or transfer of binary data. Again shift registers can come to the rescue. There are other times when you have a lot of sensors, displays or other I/O devices and can’t spare a lot of pins for LEDs or switches, but you need a multi-LED display or a small keypad. The shift register will allow you to address a large number of LEDs using only a few Arduino I/O pins. There are many ways to solve these issues, including running the LEDs ina matrix or using a shift register. non-addressable) RGB LEDs would put you past the limit. If you wanted to expand to a 5x5x5 cube then you’re out of luck, you’ll need 125 LEDs for that and you can’t control them individually with one Arduino.Įven a 4x4x4 cube using standard (i.e. A cube with a 4x4x4 dimension would require 64 LEDs, within the capability of an Arduino Mega 2560 if you “borrow” a few analog pins. So with 70 potential I/O pins you don’t usually have a need for more. Expand your ArduinoĪrduino’s have a number of digital I/O ports already, in fact, the Arduino Mega 250 boasts 54 digital I/O pins plus another 16 analog inputs that can double as digital I/O pins. These handy devices are used for all sorts of purposes like data conversion, buffering and storage, but today we will be seeing how they can also be used to expand the number of digital I/O ports on an Arduino or other microcontrollers.īy learning to use shift registers you’ll be adding another handy tool to your designers’ toolkit. Today we will work with a couple of basic electronics “building blocks”, shift registers. And, as a bonus, we’ll build a fancy LED light display. I’ve got a few shifty characters with me today but don’t worry, I’ll show you how to control them and expand the capabilities of your Arduino. 8 Using the 74HC595 and 74HC165 Together.4.2 74HC165 – 8-bit Parallel In – Serial Out.4.1 74HC595 – 8-bit Serial In – Parallel Out.3.1.3 Parallel In – Parallel Out & Serial In – Serial Out.
