79 lines
3.9 KiB
Markdown
79 lines
3.9 KiB
Markdown
This is the RDM splitter for WLED chain.
|
|
|
|
purpose
|
|
=======
|
|
|
|
WLED chain devices can be inter-connector using Ethernet cables.
|
|
They can carry data signal and power.
|
|
The RDM splitter allows injecting DMX512 data signal from regular XLR cable, and power from external power supplies.
|
|
The WLED chain is electrically isolated from the XLR chain.
|
|
|
|
RDM
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
DMX allows a controller to send data to devices.
|
|
RDM is an extension to that, allowing the devices to reply back to requests.
|
|
Using RDM, you can:
|
|
|
|
- get device name
|
|
- get device information
|
|
- set device address
|
|
- ...
|
|
|
|
Now devices can be configured remotely, and no ladder is require anymore.
|
|
|
|
The WLED chain hardware is RDM capable.
|
|
Software support needs to be added.
|
|
For now you still have to use the web interface to configure it.
|
|
|
|
usage
|
|
=====
|
|
|
|
To inject DMX512 on the WLED chain link, connect regular DMX512 XLR cable to the XLR adapter DMX IN port.
|
|
It uses the prohibited 3-pin variant of the XLR connector because this is most used is amateur DMX512 installations.
|
|
The D1+ and D1- signal are mapped from the XLR port (pin 3 and 2, with ground on pin 1) to the RJ45 port (pin 1 and 2, with ground on 7 and 8) according to ANSI E1.11-2008 §7.3.
|
|
|
|
To inject power on the WLED chain link, connect the external power supply to the XLR adapter DC IN port, either the 2.1/5.5 barrel jack, or the spring terminals.
|
|
The input voltage should be within the maximum rating of the WLED chain (6-60V DC).
|
|
Plus is mapped on RJ45 pin 4 and 5.
|
|
Minus is mapped on RJ45 pin 7 and 8.
|
|
This is also according to passive Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) mode B.
|
|
|
|
properties
|
|
==========
|
|
|
|
The XLR chain and WLED chain circuits are electrically isolated.
|
|
|
|
The RDM splitter board needs to be powered to operate.
|
|
The DMX512 data will then be copied from the XLR chain to the RJ45 port for WLED chain.
|
|
The power can come from the 2.1/5.5 barrel jack (marked VIN), the spring terminals (the two terminals next to VIN), or from the WLED chain through the RJ45 port or corresponding terminal.
|
|
|
|
There is an over-current protection on VIN using a 2.2 A PPTC resettable fuse.
|
|
PoE++ allows only up to 960 mA per pair.
|
|
We are using two pairs for power transfer, thus allowing a little under 2 A.
|
|
This limitation is because CAT5 cables use AWG 24 wires, with a resistance of 0.2 Ohm/m.
|
|
Letting more current through would cause the cable to heat above dangerous 75 degC.
|
|
To provide more power, use higher voltages, up to 60V.
|
|
|
|
There is also a reverse polarity protection.
|
|
It uses a inline diode.
|
|
Thus, on the WLED chain device the voltage will be at least 0.5V lower.
|
|
Take this into account when reusing this power rails from the WLED chain.
|
|
|
|
If you do not require RDM support, you can skip populating the MCU and related components on the top right corner.
|
|
By default the RDM splitter will still act as DMX splitter.
|
|
|
|
The yellow LED on the RJ45 port lights on when power is available on VIN.
|
|
The green LED on the RJ45 port light on when the electronic on the board is powered, using the on-board DC to DC buck regulator to 5V.
|
|
|
|
The blue DMX LED on the center of the board is off by default, and blinks upon DMX512 traffic from the XLR port to RJ45.
|
|
The red RDM LED on the center of the board is on by default, and blinks upon RDM traffic from the RJ45 port to XLR.
|
|
The green RUN LED in the corner of the board turns on when RDM support is active.
|
|
|
|
The board can be mounted in waterproof enclosures (for [sonoff](https://www.sonoffegypt.com/products/sonoff-ip66-waterproof-case) or generic [100x68x50 mm](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005622148025.html)).
|
|
You can drill holes on the side of the box to get access to the XLR and barrel port.
|
|
This will not be waterproof anymore though.
|
|
Instead, you can put the corresponding cables through waterproof glands (not large enough for connectors), and connect the individual wires to the spring terminals (mark VIN, DMX IN, and DMX OUT).
|
|
Similarly, there are string terminal for the RJ45 wires.
|
|
The terminals match the 8P8C pin numbers, and the wire colors are indicated in the bottom.
|