DMX512 Programmable Theater Lighting Controller

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DMX512 Programmable Theater Lighting Controller
Jeff Sand and Kris Kopel Advisor Dr. Don Schertz
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Outline

• Overall Project Description
• Digital Theatrical Lighting Control
• System Block Diagram
• Functional Description
• Software
• Equipment List
• Project Timeline

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Overall Project Description

• PC-Based Theatrical Lighting Console
• Windows/Linux PC for User Interface, programming,
  and status
• Several sets of faders and buttons connected via
  microcontroller
• USB Interface between PC and microcontroller

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Digital Theatrical Lighting
Console
DMX512
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DMX512 Protocol

• Controls up to 512 dimmers/devices
• Serial and asynchronous
• 250 kbits/s
• RS-485 physical implementation
• 32 nodes on one chain

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Digital Theatrical Lighting
Console
DMX512
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System Block Diagram
Motorola 68376 mController
USB!
RS485 Driver
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Motorola 68376 Microcontroller

• Moves data between physical inputs/outputs and
  the PC
• UART for DMX512 output
• Queued Serial Module for analog fader and
  pushbutton inputs
• USB Interface to PC

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Microcontroller Block Diagram
Motorola 68376 mController
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Input Blocks

• Modular input blocks
• Connected to 68376 using QSM
• Standard input blocks 8 faders, 8 buttons
• Master input block master level fader and
  submaster faders
• Able to define new input block types for later
  use using software updates

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Input Blocks
Fader Inputs
Button Inputs
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The PC Interface

• Provides GUI user interface
• Provides scene programming capabilities for the
  lighting designer
• USB interface to external hardware

Personal Computer
Input from User Interface
USB
Output to monitor
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Software

• USB driver development
• Direct fader control
• Software dimmer patching
• Programmed lighting queues

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Equipment

• Windows NT PC for 68376 development (Microtek
  XRAY package)
• Linux/Windows 98 PC for main USB and user
  software development
• Motorola 68376 Development board

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Project Status

• 68376 Development interface
• QSPI, RS-485, USB chip selection
• Linux/Windows 98 PC setup
• Web site
• - http//cegt201.bradley.edu/projects/proj2001/pc
  usbdmx/

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Hardware Timeline

• Week 1 Build header connectors for
  microcontroller bus and begin work on temporary
  PC/microcontroller interface
• Week 2 Develop temporary PC interface
• Week 3 Finish temporary interface, start DMX
  output block
• Week 4 Finish and test DMX output block
• Week 5 Begin USB interface, input blocks
• Week 6 Continue USB interface
• Week 7 Finish input blocks
• Week 8 Finish USB, begin testing
• Week 9 Test inputs blocks
• Week 10 Test/verify DMX output stream
• Week 11 Miscellaneous hardware testing
• Week 12/13 Add extra features if time permits

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Software Timeline

• Week 1 Develop interface software for temporary
  PC/microcontroller interface
• Week 2 Begin USB drivers
• Week 3 Write initial DMX512 program for 376
• Week 4 Finish and test temporary x86/376 output
  software
• Week 5, 6, 7 Continue USB driver software, begin
  user software
• Week 8 Start testing USB software on x86 and 376
• Week 9 Test input block communication
• Week 10, 11 Continue and test user software
• Week 12, 13 Add additional programming and user
  interface features as time permits