Addressable LEDs, also known as individually addressable LEDs or smart LEDs, are controlled using specialized controllers or microcontrollers. These LEDs have built-in integrated circuits (ICs) that allow each LED to be controlled independently, enabling a wide range of dynamic lighting effects.

Here's how addressable LEDs are typically controlled:

1. Data Protocol: Addressable LEDs use various data protocols to communicate control information from a controller to the LEDs. The most common protocols include WS2812 (Neopixel), WS2811, APA102 (DotStar), SK6812, and others.

2. Controller/Microcontroller: A controller or microcontroller is used to generate control signals according to the chosen data protocol. This can be a dedicated LED controller, a microcontroller like Arduino or Raspberry Pi, or even specialized lighting control software running on a computer.

3. Data Signal: The controller sends a data signal to the first LED in the LED strip or matrix. This data signal contains information about the color and brightness for each LED in the chain.

4. Addressing: Each LED in the strip or matrix is assigned a unique address by the controller. This allows the controller to send individual control signals to each LED, enabling precise control over the color and brightness of each LED.

5. Signal Propagation: The data signal is propagated through the LED strip or matrix, typically in a serial manner. Each LED reads its control information from the data signal as it passes by.

6. LED Control: Upon receiving the control information, each LED adjusts its color and brightness accordingly. This allows for the creation of complex lighting effects such as color fading, chasing patterns, and animations.

7. Looping or Feedback: In some setups, the data signal may loop back to the controller after reaching the end of the LED chain. This allows the controller to continuously update the LEDs based on user input or sensor data.

Addressable LEDs offer a high degree of flexibility and creativity in lighting design, making them popular for applications such as stage lighting, architectural lighting, art installations, and DIY projects.