FM6124, ICN2037 is the same function?
Yes, FM6124 and ICN2037 can work together – in fact, they are often considered functionally equivalent and interchangeable.
Both are 16‑channel constant‑current LED sink drivers commonly used in LED display panels. They control the brightness and grayscale of each LED column. In most practical applications, they can coexist without issues.
What “work together” usually means
As direct replacements – On a given LED panel, only one type is typically used, but they are drop‑in substitutes for each other. You can replace an ICN2037 with an FM6124 (or vice versa) without changing the circuit.
In the same project/system – If you are driving an LED panel with a controller (e.g., an ESP32) and ask whether the driver library supports both chips, the answer is also yes. Popular libraries like ESP32-HUB75-MatrixPanel-DMA explicitly list both FM6124 and ICN2037 as supported drivers.
Why they are compatible
Identical core functions – Both are “16‑channel dual‑buffer constant‑current LED drivers” with the same pinout and timing characteristics.
Standard shift‑register behaviour – They are classified as standard serial‑input shift registers, requiring no complex initialisation sequence (unlike some PWM‑type chips like ICN2038S or FM6126).
No extra configuration needed – They start working as soon as clock and data signals are provided, making them plug‑and‑play in most designs.
Important caveats
Not to be confused with other models – ICN2038S / FM6126 are not compatible; those require a specific initialisation sequence and have different timing.
Panel‑level differences – Even if the driver chip is the same, the panel’s row decoding, scan mode, and PCB layout may affect compatibility. Always check the panel’s specifications.
Possible colour‑channel swapping – Some users report that swapping chips can cause red‑blue or green‑blue channel inversion. This can usually be fixed in software by remapping the colour order.
Test Result
Our engineers have tested the P6 32x16 RGB full color LED matrix module, one module with ICN2037 IC, the other module with FM6124 IC, connect them together, they can work well.
Final answer
Yes, they can work together – either as replacements for one another or in the same system. Just be mindful of the panel’s design and potential minor colour adjustments. If you are designing a new board, either chip is a safe choice.
