> **Source:** Core Electronics is an Australian maker-electronics retailer and manufacturer based in Newcastle, NSW, run by a team of makers and educators. We design and manufacture our own product lines (PiicoDev, CE originals) and are official retailers for iconic maker and industrial brands including Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Adafruit, SparkFun and DFRobot. Orders ship Australia-wide from our Newcastle warehouse. Prices are in AUD and include GST. Pricing, stock and dispatch on this page are generated from the store's live catalog. Full machine-readable index: https://core-electronics.com.au/llms.txt

# LinkM - USB to I2C

**Type:** Product page · **SKU:** COM-09903 · **Brand:** [Sparkfun](https://core-electronics.com.au/brands/sparkfun-australia)
**Page:** https://core-electronics.com.au/linkm-usb-to-i2c.html ([markdown](https://core-electronics.com.au/linkm-usb-to-i2c.html.md))

## Retired product

This product is retired and no longer available for purchase. Search the catalogue for an alternative.

## How to buy

- **Search the catalogue:** `https://core-electronics.com.au/search/{query}.md` (URL-encode the query; pages 2-3 at `search/{query}/{page}.md`; `search.md?q=` also works)
- **Payment methods, purchase orders, policies and contact details:** https://core-electronics.com.au/llms.txt
## Description

LinkM is a USB adapter that addresses two of the most frequently-requested BlinkM features. It enables you to program BlinkMs without setting up a separate I/O board, such as an Arduino. It also lets you program or control multiple BlinkMs simultaneously. Plug it in, plug in a BlinkM, fire up the BlinkM Multitrack Sequencer, and start programming BlinkMs. It requires no drivers (when used with most operating systems), additional software or hardware. [BlinkM’s](https://core-electronics.com.au/search/?q=08579) sold separately.

**Features:**

- Driverless. Identifies itself as a USB Human Interface (HID) class device, which nearly every operating system supports without requiring additional drivers.
- Has no exposed components. Its hard plastic case makes it appropriate for long-term installation.
- Synchronizes groups of BlinkMs with a metronome signal so that their patterns do not drift in time (this even works when the LinkM is only connected to a power supply, such as an iPod USB charger).
- Works as a generic USB->I2C device, making it compatible with hundreds of standard I2C devices.
- Contains an I2C buffer chip for driving longer I2C bus cables.
- Open Source firmware, available from Google Code
- Open Source libraries for C, Java and Processing that work on Mac OS X, Windows XP/7 and Ubuntu Linux, also available from Google Code.
- Acts as an I2C master with built-in BlinkM metronome for synchronizing groups of BlinkMs so that their patterns do not drift with time
- Additional I/O pins on the board. AVR hackers can crack open the case to get access to digital I/O pins and use LinkM as a standalone microcontroller platform.
 
**Documents:**

- Product Page
- [Datasheet/Guide](https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Components/LED/LinkM_datasheet.pdf)
- Firmware Source

## Images

- [Product image 1](https://core-electronics.com.au/media/catalog/product/l/i/linkm_-_usb_to_i2c__com-09903__01.jpg)