At the hardware level, how does the SSC identify each pixel node? To put it another way, how does the controller know automatically which node is the first one on the string, which one the second, etc.? I am going to be creating a starburst tree topper, which will require me to take a 75 count string and cut into at least 4 sections. One could either extend the whole string with wires between each segment running from the end of one segment back over to where the new segment starts, or one could cut the string into 8 segments and wire all 8 segments together in parallel at the center of the star. The latter would certainly be possible with a dumb string, but if the node assignments on a pixel string depend upon the physical order of the nodes on the string, then it will not work that way for a Smart String.
On a related note, what is the diameter of the nodes sold by Ray Wu? I will be drilling holes in the substrate in which to insert the pixels, and how large those holes will be will influence my choice of substrate.