This tutorial will take approximately 30-60 mins.
What the Addressable LED light strip does
The LED light strip operates using three wires: the positive wire, the ground wire, and the data wire. The data wire allows each light to be programmed individually.
Each individual light features a Digital In (DI) and a Digital Out (DO). The lights are connected in series, with each light assigned an addressable number starting from 0. Each light can be commanded to display Red, Green, and Blue values ranging from 0 to 255.
There are two main types of addressable LED light strips. The more affordable WS2812 version is identified in the Adafruit NeoPixel library as “NEO_GRB.”
The slightly higher-quality addressable LED light strip, known as the SK6812, includes an additional white LED. This version is identified in the Adafruit NeoPixel library as “NEO_RGBW.”
Circuit Diagram for LED light strip
The LED light strip is connected to the D4 pin.
Adding features Cycle (software)
Every developer likely has their own workflow for adding new features. We aim to maintain a consistent workflow as we add components to the laser taggers. Our process will progress through the following stages: Libraries & Examples → Variables → Setup() & Loop() → New Tab (file) → Functions → Code.
Before we start the cycle, save your existing project as “LaserTag_0.4_LEDStrip” (note the images may have a different project name.
Libraries and Examples
Add the Adafruit NeoPixel libary
Open the RGBWstandardtest to ensure the LED strip is working correctly
- Change the LED_PIN to 4
- Adjust the LED_COUNT to reflect the total number of LEDs
- Use NEO_GRB for a WS2812 LED strip or NEO_GRBW for a SK6812 LED strip
You should be able to achieve something like this:
get the LED strip working properly. Return to the project you saved as “LaserTag_C04_LEDStrip.”
Add Libraries, Variables and Setup() function.
- Add the highlighted libraries and variables.
- Note: Be aware of the difference between NEO_GRBW and NEO_GRB.
- Add the game variable “teamID”.
New Tab (file) – LEDStrip, Functions, and Code
If I were coding this in real time, I would first create the functions and then complete the code. While many of these functions may not be used immediately, they will be valuable later on for indicating whether a tagger has been hit, is firing, or has run out of health using the LED strip.
- Add a new tab called “LEDStrip”
- The switch/case combo work like an if statement, however often simplifies the code. The last statement can also be called “default:” instead of “case x:”, however for our purpose, we will not change the colour if an incorrect value is passed through.
- The switch/case combination is like an if statement but can simplify the code. The last statement could be changed to “default:” instead of “case 4:” which means any incorrect team number passed through the teamColour() function will appear as the unspecified team colour (white).
- strip.begin(); initialises the strip, and allows the LED strip to recieve data.
- strip.show(); updates the strip to include any changed colours.
Upload and test code
You can now upload and test code. You should be able to do this via OTA or the USB. All LED lights should be white to start with. You can change the teamID variable to change the colour.
Christian Content
In the laser tag game, it is important to be able to identify who is on your team. Without the coloured lights identifying your team colours, it would be difficult to know who is on your team, and who is trying to kill you.
Even with the coloured lights identifying your team colour, there may be some people on your team who are a little clueless, who may accidentally work against you. It can be extremely frustrating in a game because they might as well be on the other team. In fact, it’s as if the other team has infiltrated your ranks and is causing damage from within.
In Laser Tag, your colour identifies what team you are in, and generally that works. But Christians don’t have a coloured light that identifies if they are a Christian or not. Even though, the Bible gives us a number of descriptions of what it means to be a Christian, and how to identify them.
1. Christians Love one another
John 13:34–35 (HCSB) “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The love Christians have for each other is the same that Jesus had for them. Jesus demonstrated his love by dying on the cross for those who did not deserve it. The Christian’s love goes beyond loving those that are going to love them, but to love their enemies (Luke 7:27).
2. Christians believe Jesus
John 10:26–28 (HCSB) But you don’t believe because you are not My sheep. 27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish —ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand.
The title of “Christian” simply means a disciple of Jesus. They are someone who follows Jesus. It wouldn’t make sense to be calling yourself a Christian, and yet not at least aim to follow the teachings of Jesus. Christians believe in Jesus and follow him.
3. Beware of fakes
2 Corinthians 11:13–15 (HCSB) For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works.
Just imagine that in a game of Laser Tag, in which your enemy took one of your team’s guns. They would look like they are on your team, but in fact their works demonstrate clearly they belong to the enemy. It’s kind of what is going on in these verses.
Some people may appear to be Christian, they may even become amazing Christian leaders. But just because someone becomes a Christian leader doesn’t make them a Christian. And this is possible because even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. But fortunately, they can easily be spotted. “Their destiny will be according to their works”. They won’t love one another, and they won’t believe and follow Jesus. These two things that are mentioned above.
A simple way of explaining what a Christian is, is someone who Trusts and Turns. They Trust Jesus and they Turn and follow him. This means they now live a life loving others, and loving God.