Fancy USB LED VASE

This USB LED vase is a simple yet elegant device that fuses art with electronics to create a decorative lighting display. Powered directly from a standard USB port, it uses readily available components such as MOSFETs, resistors, capacitors, and LEDs to produce a striking, dynamic sequence of lights.

- T.K. HAREENDRAN

The design operates on the principle of a ring oscillator, where LEDs illuminate sequentially in a rotating pattern. This continuous flow of light produces a calming, decorative effect, particularly when the LEDs are housed within a transparent or semitransparent vase. Owing to its straightforward design, the device suits both beginners and hobbyists, offering a practical way to grasp the fundamentals of electronic oscillators and explore creative circuit applications. Fig. 1 illustrates the suggested design by the author.

Circuit and working

Fig. 2 shows the circuit diagram of the fancy LED light vase. It uses three 2N7000 N-channel MOSFETs in a ring configuration, each driving one LED. Two yellow or amber and one green LED are used here. The gate of each MOSFET is connected to an RC low-pass filter, providing the necessary delay for continuous oscillation. For the 2N7000 datasheet, refer to https://diotec.com/request/datasheet/2n7000.pdf.