Chapter 14 - Glossary
Chapter 14 – Glossary
Version: 0.1 (Draft)
Written for: ESPixelStick Version 4.x
Last Updated: July 2026
Author: Ernest Horning
Research & Technical Editing: ChatGPT
Chapter Summary
Purpose
This glossary defines common terms, abbreviations, and acronyms used throughout this manual and within the ESPixelStick community.
Definitions are intentionally brief and point readers toward the relevant chapters for additional information.
Related Chapters
All chapters.
14.1 Introduction
The ESPixelStick ecosystem includes terminology drawn from electronics, networking, lighting control, and computer science.
This glossary serves as a quick reference for those terms.
14.2 Terms
Access Point (AP)
A wireless device that allows Wi-Fi clients to communicate on a network.
See Chapter 6.
Addressable Pixel
An LED module containing an integrated controller that allows each pixel to be individually controlled.
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.
Automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network.
See Chapter 6.
DDP
Distributed Display Protocol.
A modern lighting protocol used by xLights to communicate with controllers.
See Chapters 6 and 8.
Differential Receiver
A receiver used to extend pixel data over long cable distances using differential signaling.
See Chapter 7.
ESP32
A family of Espressif microcontrollers supporting Wi-Fi and numerous peripheral interfaces.
See Chapters 3 and 4.
ESP8266
The original Wi-Fi microcontroller supported by ESPixelStick.
See Chapters 3 and 4.
Ethernet
A wired networking technology commonly used for reliable communications.
See Chapter 6.
Firmware
Software stored inside a controller.
See Chapter 5.
GPIO
General Purpose Input/Output.
Programmable pins used to control external hardware.
See Appendix A.
Host Name
A human-readable name assigned to a network device.
See Chapter 6.
IP Address
A numerical network address assigned to each device.
See Chapter 6.
Level Shifter
An electronic circuit that converts logic voltages between different signal levels.
See Chapters 7 and 9.
mDNS
Multicast Domain Name System.
Allows devices to be reached using host names instead of IP addresses.
See Chapter 6.
Pixel Protocol
The communication format used by a particular pixel type.
Examples include WS2811, SK6812, and APA102.
See Chapters 7 and 8.
Power Injection
Adding electrical power at multiple points along a pixel string to reduce voltage drop.
See Chapter 9.
Universe
A logical grouping of lighting control channels.
Often associated with E1.31 or DMX.
See Chapter 6.
WLED
Open-source firmware commonly used for addressable LED controllers.
Mentioned throughout the manual for comparison purposes.
WS2811
A widely used addressable pixel protocol.
See Chapters 7 through 9.
xLights
Open-source sequencing software used to create synchronized lighting displays.
14.3 Acronyms
| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AP | Access Point |
| DHCP | Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol |
| DMX | Digital Multiplex |
| DDP | Distributed Display Protocol |
| DNS | Domain Name System |
| GPIO | General Purpose Input/Output |
| HTTP | Hypertext Transfer Protocol |
| IP | Internet Protocol |
| LAN | Local Area Network |
| LED | Light Emitting Diode |
| mDNS | Multicast Domain Name System |
| OTA | Over-The-Air Update |
| PWM | Pulse Width Modulation |
| RGB | Red, Green, Blue |
| RGBW | Red, Green, Blue, White |
| RSSI | Received Signal Strength Indicator |
| UDP | User Datagram Protocol |
| Wi-Fi | Wireless Fidelity |
14.4 Engineering Recommendations
✔ Learn the common networking terms.
✔ Understand GPIO numbering before wiring hardware.
✔ Become familiar with pixel protocols before configuring outputs.
✔ Refer to the glossary whenever unfamiliar terminology appears.
References
Definitions are derived from:
- ESPixelStick documentation
- Espressif documentation
- General networking terminology
- Lighting industry terminology
Revision History
| Version | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | July 2026 | Initial glossary |