Saber Electronics: A Technical Comparison of RGB V2 and Xenopixel V3 Lightsabers
Saber electronics
refers to the internal architecture comprising the soundboard (the "brain"), the battery (the "power plant"), and the illumination source. At replicasabers.co.uk, we categorise these into two primary technologies: RGB V2 (In-Hilt LED) and Xenopixel V3 (LED-Strip/Neopixel)
The Primary Difference
The core distinction lies in the location of the light source. RGB V2 systems project light from a high-powered LED housed within the metal hilt into a hollow blade. Xenopixel V3 systems utilise a series of 144 to 288 individual LEDs inside the blade itself, allowing for sequential ignition and granular lighting effects.
The Physics of Illumination: Photon Diffusion vs. Direct Emission
The visual experience of a saber depends on how light interacts with the blade material.
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RGB V2 (Photon Diffusion)
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In an RGB V2 system, a high-powered 12W LED in the hilt acts as a "torch." Light travels up through a hollow polycarbonate tube lined with a reflective diffusion film. The physics here is based on Internal Reflection—the film bounces the light back and forth until the blade appears illuminated.
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The Trade-off: The light is naturally brightest at the base (near the hilt) and slightly tapers off towards the tip.
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Xenopixel V3 (Direct Emission)
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The Xenopixel V3 system bypasses diffusion reliance by using Direct Emission. Because the LEDs are inside the blade, there is zero light loss over distance. This allows for a perfectly uniform glow from hilt to tip.
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The Advantage: Because each pixel is individually addressable, the physics allow for "Light Manipulation" effects like localized localized flashes for lock-ups and localized "drag" effects on the ground.
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Hardware Comparison: RGB V2 vs. Xenopixel V3
Soundboard Architecture and Smooth-Swing Logic
The "Realism" of a saber isn't just about light; it’s about how the electronics respond to kinetic energy. This is managed by the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) on the soundboard.
The Smooth-Swing Algorithm
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Older boards used "clash" and "swing" triggers, which were binary (on or off). Modern RGB V2 and Xenopixel V3 boards use a complex algorithm that tracks the Angular Velocity of your movement.
Audio Layering
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As you move the hilt, the board cross-fades between different "Hum" and "Swing" audio files in real-time. The faster the movement, the higher the pitch and volume.
The Result
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This creates a seamless, 1:1 audio-to-motion ratio that bridges the gap between a toy and a professional prop.
The Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
At the heart of both RGB V2 and Xenopixel V3 boards is a high-precision IMU. This sensor tracks motion across three axes: X (pitch), Y (roll), and Z (yaw). Unlike basic "clash" sensors found in toy-grade products, an IMU detects the angular velocity of a swing. This allows the board to distinguish between a slow, dramatic flourish and a high-speed combat strike.
Smooth-Swing Algorithm and Audio Layering
The term "Smooth-Swing" refers to a sophisticated audio-layering algorithm. Instead of playing a single "swing" sound effect when a threshold is met, the board constantly "cross-fades" between multiple sound files (hums, accents, and swings).
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Real-Time Pitch Shifting: The board adjusts the pitch of the hum based on the velocity data from the IMU.
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1:1 Motion Ratio: This ensures that the sound perfectly mimics the physical arc of the blade, creating an immersive experience for UK duelists.