Design review: LED

[krook]

Evaluate alternatives to the Neopixels currently in use to optimize for simplicity.

The LEDs being used are the popular WS2812 LEDs, rebranded by Adafruit as Neopixels. These LEDs should be replaced with standard RGB LEDs since the serial protocol to drive them is non-standard, timing sensitive, complex, and difficult to replace in the event it becomes necessary.

Instead, the LEDs can be driven from a digital I/O directly, or from PWM outputs if the colors need to be mixed. Using this method, almost any RGB LED can be used. Ideally, these should be surface mount LEDs as well so that a process can be removed from the manufacturing requirements.

The exact LED will need to be chosen after the final product design is complete, since the positioning, size, and desired orientation are not yet known.