Arduino DMX controller and PIC DMX Led slaves

[a_lessais]

Hello all!

I'm a newbie from Quebec. Please forgive my "basic" English skills. I'll try the best I can, but sentences will probably sound strange sometimes.

Anyway, I'll share with you a project I want to do for a long time: I want to illuminate the front of my house with RGB leds, a led each feet for the 40 feet of facade. I'll put the leds under the soffit, about 6 inches away from the wall. The outside walls of my house are made of flat rocks. I want to give an effect with the shadow of each rocks, enhancing relief.

I want each led to be addressable. I want to be able to run animations with the leds. Not something the neighbour across the street will be mad about. Only gentle effects an attentive eye will notice: simulate my house "breathing", react to "presence" around the house like someone tripping a movement detector, etc.


I researched quite a few protocols and I think DMX sounds about right for my needs. There are a lot of software already available to create sequences.

As I have basic PIC programming skills, I decided to use these microcontrollers for the "slave" units. But as I want the sequences to reside on uSD cards and want to have network connection with the "Master", I choose the arduino as many implementations have these features built-in. It is my first contact with the "other" ecosystem.


I'll give a shot at programming the "Master" this week. I just received "3 channels DMX slave" from ebay. I'll try to make them work with the arduino and when it works, I'll program the "Slaves" (PIC + TLC5940).


I'll keep you informed of my work. If you have any question, feel free to ask. I'll upload my files (PCB, source code) as I progress.


Thanks

A Lessais

[SuperDrive]

Any clue on a DMX variant that can address more then 512 slave?

[ZASto]

@a_lessais:
It would be nice if you figure a Master with 'duino+SD, and to be able to "decode" Vixen sequences to another format "chewable" by 'duino

@SuperDrive:
sACN ( Streaming ACN, E1.31) aka DMX over IP, will post later a link to a project made by Robert P. Martin (RPM) which is sACN-DMX bridge with 4 DMX universes.

Links:
http://q-services.biz/Share/E131_to_DMX%20Bridge_Source.zip
http://q-services.biz/Share/E1.31-Assembly-Pics.zip
http://q-services.biz/Share/E1.31%20setup%20and%20operation.pdf

[ravenfeather]

Just to say  - there is some RGB LED stripes ( found that recently)  that has some control chips in it  - 300 LEDs about 150$ I think. Bad thing is that not every LED is controlled individually  - they are grouped by 3 .

[solutions]

Thanks for not sharing a link regarding your "found that recently" 300LED strip and making me look for it.

In looking, I found these individually addressable LEDs in a strip, along with instructions for Arduino hookup:

http://learn.adafruit.com/digital-led-strip

[folkeu]

Hi,
You have too this link for the software :
http://www.pcdimmer.de/index.php/pcdimmer2012

and the interface USB/DMX512 :
http://www.pcdimmer.de/index.php/dmx512-hardware/dmx512-interface

In this web site you have too receipter DMX for RGB led :
http://www.pcdimmer.de/index.php/dmx512-hardware/dmx512-rgbled
@+

[Ichan]

Thanks for not sharing a link regarding your "found that recently" 300LED strip and making me look for it.

In looking, I found these individually addressable LEDs in a strip, along with instructions for Arduino hookup:

http://learn.adafruit.com/digital-led-strip

Google once more: "ws2811 smd5050 rgb led".

RGB led + WS2811 chip in a smd5050 package - $0.15/pcs @ 100qty on the cheesy land.

-ichan