Explaining the different types of LED Arrays

Not all LED arrays are the same, there are many varieties within a set size and set amount of LED's.  There are the P numbers.  P10 means 10mm LED spacing.  P6 is 6mm spacing.  P3 is 3mm spacing.

Then there are the S or scan or row select numbers.  Typical S numbers are S4, S8, and S16.  But they even vary within these numbers!  Lets start with a 16S arrangement.  In a 32 by 32 LED array there are two 32 bit shift registers one for the top half and one for the bottom (As well as one for each color).  Then there are 16 row selectors that select what two rows are currently lit up.

Next there is an 8S LED array.  Withing a 32x32 array there are four 32 bit shift registers.  The top two and the bottom two are sequential. (This is for each of the three colors) Then there are 8 row selectons.  These select what four rows are currently lit up.

Now things get tricky.  Some arrays do not follow the normal pattern.  For instance the modified 8S panel depicted below.  These are not compatable with some controllers.  There are two 16 bit shift registers and a 32 bit shift register for the top half and the same for the bottom.  (This is for each of the three colors)  The shift register sequence is the top 16, then the middle 32, then the other top 16 bits.

So not only are you dealing with color differences between different batches you are dealing with scanning differences.  You cannot mix an 8S and a modified 8S in the same chain of LED arrays.