DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx Smart String => Topic started by: mykroft on August 26, 2011,
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Ok, just finally got my power supply today for the hub, tested each port on the hub with a SSC w/test firmware - everything is good. Plugged in a SSC to test with, pixelnet usb dongle, used the SS util and set the SSC to channel 1, 120 node flex strip - via com 10 - program jumped on, transmit - string starts flashing white like it should.
Now in both LSP and Vixen I can not get anything to light up using the test controller option in LSP or the channel test in vixen. If I am able to program it from SS util > pixelnet usb dongle > hub > SSC - my hardware should be working correctly - right?
I did make sure LSP and vixen where set to my com10, 115k, neither program complains about not being able to access the com port etc - i just get no lights out of the flex strip.
Need some ideas on what to look for pls...
Thanks
Myk
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Did you use the drop down to select the number of nodes or type it in?
I think RJ fixed it in the latest version, but in the first version of the SS utility, there was a problem with typing in the number of nodes.
RM
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about says 1.00, so i dont know if I have newest ver - but reprogramming right now using just drop down and will try it again here quick before work and post
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Did you remove the test firmware and load in the real firmware?
Rick R.
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nope same - no output on LSP test controller hardware
I have both jumpers on pixelnet universe 1, dmx is on 1 also, but am not using dmx output.
So its got to be a software prob - but with both LSP and Vixen is weird - since the SSC is getting the programming signal...
yes, it is normal firmware - dont think the SS util will program test firmware, as when i plug it in, it does not rotate thru the colors like the test firmware would...
:(
Myk
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try my color finder program. only one setting, com port
its in the wiki software page
it sends out to all 4096 channels
Rick R
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Myk,
Is the pixelnet output plugin installed and configured in Vixen?
John
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ok, will try tonight when I get home from work....
Thanks
Myk
try my color finder program. only one setting, com port
its in the wiki software page
it sends out to all 4096 channels
Rick R
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Ya I redownloaded vixen, and let it update, then downloaded the pixelnet plugin from the wiki and put in plugins/output folder, did configure it etc com10 is where my pixelnet dongle is.
When I bring up the channel tester, click on channel 1 and the slider is at 100%, nothing comes on.
Myk
Myk,
Is the pixelnet output plugin installed and configured in Vixen?
John
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Greetings,,,
Can you try a lower com port than 10?
Keith
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ok, moved it to com4, reflashed pic in dongle to make sure, tried different cat5 cables - still no go in any software - even the color picker software, but i can still program the ssc via the util program - even tried different sockets on the hub, and a different ssc
nada - nope - no blinkie :(
Myk
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Sounds eerily similar to the issue I had when I missed a couple solder joints on the data input connector to the hub. Might not hurt to check all the joints (especially data) for missed / cold / bridged joints. Also if you haven't already done so, take a few minutes to clean up any solder flux especially at the data lines...probably won't make a difference but why chance it.
http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=5456.0
[Summary]... I found I could use the SSC program utility and get the strings to flash white indicating they were programmed, but could not get vixen output to the strings - even though the dongle indicated transmitting. I set up Vixen on a separate computer and got the exact same result which seemed to point back to the hardware. Looking at the Hub, I found the top row of solder joints [on the data input] had been missed. <fp. I resoldered those and found the strings still wouldn't light - so I went back and re-ran the SSC set-up utility. Same flashing result, though the string would then see output from pixelnet and work fine [/summary]
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I would concure it is likely a Dongle issue if we do not now it is working or the input to the hub. Make very sure you do not have a wrong cable (crossover ect.) or a bad cable. When you do the test firmware you will be useing just one cable and only need a few conducotrs to work for you to get power. If you send data you have at least two cables in the mix and both must work completely. This has already been a repeated problem. That is why I highly recommend to everyone to order new factory made stranded patch cords.
You have it likely isolated to (cable issue, Solder joints on hub input, dongle issue)
Hope this helps you find it, if not get setup on teamspeak and pm me to setup a time to help you with it.
RJ
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ok, let me check solder points on the dongle and hub before I take up your limited time. Appreciate the offer/assistance.
I know it is not the cat5 cables, these are all pre-made purchased cables, molded connected etc. I did double check to make sure they are not cross over cables. Normally i only purchase blue colored cabled for this reason, and only yellow on cross over :)
Will be later tonight before I can check soldering on boards again as I have work here in 45 min - but will post results.
Thanks for everyones time on this...
Myk
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ok, I have rechecked twice my soldering jobs - they look good to me - i did reflow on anything that looking questionable - but still no control.
If my dongle and/or hub was not working - how am I able to program the SSC?
I know I am getting power, test firmware works as expected when hooked thru all 16 ports of the hub. I have tried 6 different commerial made cat5 cables with all the same results.
I even reflashed and check the firmware checksums again on the SSC, dongle and hub - but again if those where not correct i should not be able to program a SSC?
:(
Myk
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Myk, yes if you can use the SSC utility to program and can set the channels on a SSC then yes your dongle is communicating to the hub and SSC. So my guess at this point is your having problems with both LSP and Vixen. Try setting up a test sequence in Vixen using all 4096 channels of pixel net with 50ms timings and a random pattern on all the channels. If you get blinky at this point then we can start zeroing in on what other problems there may be. If there is no blinky then we need to make sure there is communication between the program, computer and finally the SSC (does the green light come on?) If your getting a green light then your getting communication between Vixen and the SSC so you will need to concentrate on that area. If your not getting a green light then your not communicating between Vixen and the dongle. Let everyone know where your at from the above tests and we can go from there. I know this can be frustrating, but hang in there you will get it working!
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You are correct in your thinking. I forgot you can program it.
This leaves only the software setup. If my utility can program the string then the system is working. At the point you are done programming unless you are not moving the jumper back the data from other software should also reach it.
This is where a bunch of variables come in:
Is the software setup correct, Are you trying to control the channels the SSC has been programmed to, do you have the com port correct, are you sending enough data out. Try making a new test seq with 4096 channels set the plugin to use 1 to 4096 and try it.
Since you can program it I agree the hardware is not the issue. I simple send commands with special codes to the controller the same as if we send data to it.
RJ
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ok, that is my thinking but let me throw another log into the fire...
Upon Rick's suggestion, I downloaded his SSC color picker program. Only setup in his program is to set the com port, and then just slide the 3 color sliders to make a color - I cant get that software to work either.
What should be the com port specs? buad, parity etc?
I am gonna get out the laptop and install the dongle usb driver on it, and see what i can get it to do. Maybe it is something else installed in my desktop computer makeing a conflict?
Will post here shortly with laptop test....
Thanks Guys
Myk
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COM specs should be 115,200 Baud, 8 Bits, no parity and 1 stop bit (8N1) Make sure your USB serial port is using the FTDI drivers. Check out Bill's video on setting up a LYNX dongle (this is for DMX but Pixelnet is similar) http://www.vimeo.com/8593544 just to double check what you are doing.
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Couple of other things - might want to check all the hub chips to make sure they are installed in the correct orientation and none of the pins accidentally folded up under the chip when it was inserted. Also, look under Control panel > System > Device manager > Com ports and make sure the settings are correct under there as well... 115200, 8, N, 1, N.
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Couple of other things - might want to check all the hub chips to make sure they are installed in the correct orientation and none of the pins accidentally folded up under the chip when it was inserted. Also, look under Control panel > System > Device manager > Com ports and make sure the settings are correct under there as well... 115200, 8, N, 1, N.
The problem with is that he can program the SSC so the data gas to be getting to the SSC. I am at the point of being sure it is software thing. You are taking the jumper of the SSC after programming correct? Cause this would do exactly this with everything working. If not then don't feel bad, I have done it before.
RJ
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OK...... (takes breath)
Installed the USB drivers on laptop, SS util, SSC Color Picker Util, and grabed list usb driver util to boot....
Got them installed, laptop is win7, tried the color picker (com 3) with no go. Then I figured I will see if it will program SSC again. SSC Util yelled about no com port access - had to run it in admin mode. Programmed SSC and got white flashing....
Loaded up color picker again - and woot colors!!!!!
LSP - colors!!!!
ok, so what is wrong with my XP desktop.... :(
pluged it back into desktop - WITHOUT CHANGING ANYTHING - loaded up color picker - IT WORKS NOW? ???
now I am really stumped as to why.... - but it is blinkin! and I have alot less hair than I started with....
:)
Myk
PS - LSP on XP desktop is working also now....
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Couple of things with XP and USB devices, make sure when you plug in the USB dongle you get the sound from XP that it is connected or better yet go an check in the device manager and make sure it is connected. ( leave my dongles plugged in once I begin testing/sequencing so I don't loose the com port number.) and make sure you do this before firing up Vixen or LSP. Above glad to hear you got blinky!
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with usb serial devices, you can go into the control panel, and force them to a specific com port address - XP its current at com10, on the laptop it was com3
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RJ - I completely agree with your reasoning - but that is what kept throwing me when I was troubleshooting my issue as well. The string would flash seeming to indicate it was confirming programming, so I assumed the computer>dongle>hub>SSC>string link was working - but I wouldn't get any output from Vixen. In the end, I fixed my hub solder issues and corrected the orientation on some of the chips and still had no output until I re-programmed the SSC with the 'fixed' hub. Then the blinky started.
I don't know exactly what triggers the 'confirm' blinking - is it actually looking at the program on a check-sum level and confirming they match? Or is it just looking for some type of 'end of sequence' code and confirming that is received? If the latter is the case, would it be possible intermittent contact on some components or Tx errors would allow the program to contain errors, but the string still blinks to confirm?
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something i was wondering about, is it possible to read the data back out of the SSC to double check what is/was programmed?
Something simular to my usb dmx programmer cable I got from David to program the 3 channel dmx modules he sells. Its got a read/view function.
Would be nice if possible if you forgot to mark starting channel on ssc case etc..
Myk
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No I am afraid is unidirectional data. Nothing is sent back.
To answer the other question. It must send a proper string of verification code so I think if the data is hit and miss you should not program and if it does not finish it does not blink.
Also he used the smae hardware just a different computer.
RJ
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well, its been 4 hrs now running a seq on a flex strip with current setup on XP desktop and everything is still working....
Am still not sure what the problem was as I didn't change any hardware between the laptop and desktop on the last diag test.. weird
I do appreciate all the suggestions/help etc to get this working.
I am now official in the world of the blinkie/flashie :)
Thanks
Myk
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ok, one that thing to add to all of this since i cant figure out why it would not work.
I had the other SSC still laying here - so i swap them, and when I plugged it in - no workie :(
so ...
SSC that was programmed via laptop works, SSC programmed via my desktop does not....
So I only have to assume even tho i got the white flashing during programming on both that something didnt get programmed correctly when it is hooked to my desktop.
RJ - if there is a way for me to use my pickit3 to do a TOTAL read of what is in the pic, I can do that and email to you if you want to look or want to take the time to look - otherwise for now I will just program them on the laptop..
Myk
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ok, to further deepen the mystery....
just verified - SSC programed via my desktop - dont work
SSC programmed via laptop - work fine...
Reflashed the SSC with latest firmware from the wiki
programmed via desktop - then read firmware and noted the checksum
programmed via laptop - then read firmware and noted the checksum
they are not the same - and i double checked that i had the same options selected on both computers in the program util....
so, something on my desktop is messing with the programming, but the SSC thinks its getting the correct data and completes the programming - but I am going to assume that because the 2 checksums are different that this isnt the case.....
but what is funny about the desktop is that i cant program them, but it will drive data to them and it works....
Myk
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Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling the Pickit utility on the desktop?
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Let me guess,
You installed the SS utility on your computer a while ago. You installed it on the laptop today to test....
If so uninstall it from your computer and install the newest version like you did the notebook.
RJ
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it has been on the desktop for a while - let me uninstall and reinstall it
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ok, uninstalled and reinstall and now programming works from the desktop...
I did a about on the old version before I uninstalled it 1.00, new downloaded copy says 1.00 also? Was there something changed in the last 1-2 months besides the dropdown/type in # of channels problem?
I feel kinda dumb now.....
I had 7-10-11 version in my download folder - so i am going to assume that was the version I had installed - but maybe something got corrupted somewhere also...
Myk