DiyLightAnimation
Hardware => Lynx Wireless DMX => Topic started by: Zeph on February 21, 2012,
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I've made an attempt to decipher the wireless options. Could you see if I've got it right? (If so, perhaps this could go on the wiki).
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First, look at the diagrams in this post:
http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=1290.msg13242#msg13242
To clear up a couple of things in the diagram: the RX and TX are the same board, and the Lynx Express requires an add-on board.
There are three conceptual wireless modules in these diagrams (but made from only two "wireless" circuit boards):
The TX (Lynx Wireless Transmitter) is a DMX to wireless adapter; consists of a "TX/RX" board jumpered for TX
The RX (Lynx Wireless Receiver) is a wireless to DMX adapter; consists of a "TX/RX" board jumpered for RX
The Lynx Express V2+ can become wireless enabled by adding a daughterboard called the "EX/RX" board which is an onboard wireless receiver
Lynx Express V3+ with EX/RX can also send out DMX to the next board; V2 cannot.
(the TX/RX board is either a TX or an RX; the EX/RX board is an RX daughterboard for the Lynx Express)
The EX/RX can be adapted to some other controllers by soldering a header connector to replace a controller's RS-485 chip, see:
http://www.diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Mod_Wireless
Each TX can send one DMX universe (512 channels) at 50ms timing. Each is configured to a DMX universe.
Each RX (or EX/RX) can receive one DMX universe, and is configured as to which one. The boards it is connected to (onboard in the Lynx Express case, via DMX and RS485 in the RX case) will determine which addresses in that universe they respond to. More than one RX (or EX/RX) can receive from the same universe.
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(You might be surprised how many places I had to look to discover the above; one can search the forum for a long time and not find the right post, and the wiki seems to be about "how to build it" but not "what is it?"). Then when you do find something in a search, like as not it has been obsoleted :) The great diagrams from RRowan were the first big clue, but I didn't understand that the TX and RX were the same board until I scanned the build instructions in great detail and found a step for setting the jumper. Not complaining here, just describing what I see. If there's already a simple page that puts it all together, I couldn't find it.)
There's probably at least one error in the above, but with correction I hope it help somebody else. You can make it a sticky if you want; remove these side comments tho, or I can.
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HI Zeph
The able seems about right. Sorry for the confusion. When a device has options then it naturally is more confusing then a device that only has a single per pose. Example the TX/RX board with a jumper can be two different items either a transmitter or a receiver while the EX/RX is a Receiver only and less confusing what its purpose is.
Then again now you figure it out its not a problem for you now ;D
"Learning is half the battle" {Two points to the members who know where that line comes from}
Cheers
Rick R.
P.S. stay away from the rrowan guy he is not right
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G.I. Joe :)
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I agree with Zeph about the wiki. It does not provide a description of the product. I was just on the phone with another member discussing which parts he would need to do a wireless setup. We used to current coop list, looked at what others were ordering to figure out what each board did.
If a description could be added to the wiki or a sticky in each forum, It would greatly help us noobs.
Thanks
Roy
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great write-up Zeph!
One thing that I didn't see explained so far... can you have multiple wireless networks? I assume the answer is "no". If you use all 512 channels over wireless, you are stuck. You can still go wired for other dmx networks.
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The transmitters and receivers have three channels so you could have 3 seprate wireless networks provided that they don't interfear with each other.
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The transmitters and receivers have three channels so you could have 3 seprate wireless networks provided that they don't interfear with each other.
great news... thanks!
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Got a question, if you have version 1 ex is the version 2 tx/rx compatible?
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.566257,-122.540228
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Got a question, if you have version 1 ex is the version 2 tx/rx compatible?
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.566257,-122.540228
There was a firmware update when the ver 2 was released to allow ver 1 to work with ver 2
Rick (wireless challenged) R.
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Got a question, if you have version 1 ex is the version 2 tx/rx compatible?
Mike,
Yes it is. You need to use the firmware from the wiki on your v1. http://www.diylightanimation.com/wiki/index.php?title=Equipment#Discontinued_Hardware
John
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Hello.
Just so I'm CRYSTAL clear, and to make sure I ordered the correct items in the wireless coop, will this setup work?
PC ==(usb)==> DMX dongle ==(cat5)==> TX/RX ==(wireless)==> Express with EX/RX ==(cat5)==> other Expresses/MR16s
Thanks!
-Greg
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Yes that will work
One Note: The wireless Express you must use DMX output 2 only. Output 1 will not work as it won't have any dmx data on it since its tied to dmx in.
Rick R.
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btw, the quote is "AND learning is HALF THE BATTLE!"
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Forgive me if this is a stupid/simple question....
Can you use a TX/RX board with the Lynx Express or do you have to use the EX/RX
Thanks
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The EX/RX board is designed to mount on the Lynx Express and is powered by the express. The TX/RX will work with the express but it would need to be set to the RX mode and use a Cat5 cable connected to the DMX IN of the express
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btw, the quote is "AND learning is HALF THE BATTLE!"
Amazing that you can correct a GI Joe quote but totally miss the fact that folks are asking for more info in the Wiki which you said you were going to do <fp. ;)
just saying
Rick R.
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it's a lot of work... and still working on it
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Yeah I know about a LOT of work part but it doesn't have to be perfect. Just start posting stuff for people to help out with.
8)
Rick R.
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not to be too anal....but I think it's "And Knowing is half the battle" :D
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A most excellent summation Zeph. Thanks for taking the time. I've been struggling with finding information about each device, its function and functionality with other devices. There's bits of info located in disparate places that would be best condensed into the Wiki pages.
I remember, when I got my first database programming job in my early twenties, how my boss had me start by documenting the existing system in all respects. What he was doing was giving me an opportunity to crawl through the entire software library, learn it in detail, and quantify it for future programmers.
Perhaps, each device could have a Wiki (and sticky forum post) "What it does and What it Connects to" page that includes a comprehensive description and a couple example system diagrams.
I'd be pleased to help with that effort as Zeph has here.
M
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Just to confuse things...
If you go for the wireless option on the DMX tester, it uses an EX/RX board with a few changes in the assembly (leave off a number of pieces, bend a header, and add a few jumpers) and a different firmware load...
Troll-ing along...
RM
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The transmitters and receivers have three channels so you could have 3 seprate wireless networks provided that they don't interfear with each other.
That's good information, thanks!
Sooo, in practice DO the three channels all work without interference? Are there limitations or restrictions?
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As with all things that transmitt, there is always the possibility of interference. The lower channels are close to the ones used by wireless networks but many use them with success. The only way to know is to get a transmitter and receiver and see what happens in different areas on different frequencies.
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We do operate in the same 2.4GHz frequency band as wifi. The channels are offset, but if you are running wireless G, there are really only 3 non-overlapping channels and if you are using wireless N, it uses pretty much the whole frequency band...
If you are experiencing interference, try a different universe or, if possible, reduce the distance between the tx and RX.
RM
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If you are experiencing interference, try a different universe.
That seems a bit extreme; I don't think that would have cut it as neighbor mollification when I was a ham... Even moving a galaxy away ought to be plenty.
OH, you mean a different PAN? :)
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No not PAN but universe on our wireless is actually a Freqency change.
RJ
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LOL
The lynx wireless has two jumpers which allow you to select from one of three pre-assigned frequencies.
A standard wired DMX connection is 512 channels, which in the lighting industry is referred to as a DMX universe. Since the wireless is one wired DMX connection, we tend to refer to it as one universe.
If you don't have other interference, you can actually run 3 TX units at the same time on different frequencies, giving you 3 wireless universes of DMX.
Now if you use one channel per star, that would be 1536 stars in your yard. You neighbors might think you live in another universe... :-)
RM
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LOL
The lynx wireless has two jumpers which allow you to select from one of three pre-assigned frequencies.
A standard wired DMX connection is 512 channels, which in the lighting industry is referred to as a DMX universe. Since the wireless is one wired DMX connection, we tend to refer to it as one universe.
Thanks for clearing that up (connecting the DMX universe, which I understand, with the alternate frequencies of the wireless option, which is new to me).