Difference between revisions of "Beacon4"

From Hackstrich
(Inter-strip connector research.)
(Updated with current plans.)
Line 11: Line 11:
  
 
= Outstanding Issues =
 
= Outstanding Issues =
* Software we were thinking of using was QLC (but it only supports 4 universes) or MagicQ (but it's x86-only which means more power draw)
+
* Software evaluation:
** If we go x86, the [http://www.fit-pc.com/web/fit-pc/fit-pc2i-specifications/ fit-PC] might be a good choice, it's a 6-8W x86 box in a small metal enclosure
+
** QLC
* As of June 2012 the leader in the software investigation is LightJams, which would be Windows on x86
+
*** Max of only 4 universes, which rules it out
 +
** MagicQ
 +
*** Very complex and more geared toward theatre setups than VJ setups
 +
*** Supports up to 16 universes over Art-Net
 +
*** x86-only
 +
*** Advanced features like sound-reactiveness or remote control require a very expensive license dongle
 +
** Lightjams
 +
*** x86/Windows-only
 +
*** Supports up to 16 universes over Art-Net
 +
*** Sound reactiveness, remote control, Wiimote control, and everything else is included for a low price
  
 
= Ideas/Plans =
 
= Ideas/Plans =
Line 20: Line 29:
 
** Backup plan is to have a USB hub and one OpenDMX USB interface per universe, driving the StrichLux boxes via [[StrichLux/IO-DMX|IO-DMX]] input modules
 
** Backup plan is to have a USB hub and one OpenDMX USB interface per universe, driving the StrichLux boxes via [[StrichLux/IO-DMX|IO-DMX]] input modules
 
** [[StrichLux/IO-DMX|IO-DMX]] input module could be brought along either way and swapped to manually control the "display"
 
** [[StrichLux/IO-DMX|IO-DMX]] input module could be brought along either way and swapped to manually control the "display"
* BeagleBone is being looked at to control the whole display
+
* Fit-PC 2i is being looked at to control the whole thing
** <1W idle, 1.75W full load
+
** As nice as ARM would be power-wise, x86 will be much more flexible software-wise
** Comes with onboard Ethernet
+
** Need to make sure it will be powerful enough before we order
 
* Need to find a fanless very low power 4 or 5 port Ethernet switch
 
* Need to find a fanless very low power 4 or 5 port Ethernet switch
 
** Allied Telesis AT-FS705LE V5 might work, it's rugged, low power (1.5-2.5W), and cheap
 
** Allied Telesis AT-FS705LE V5 might work, it's rugged, low power (1.5-2.5W), and cheap
Line 29: Line 38:
 
** Best option may be the Sixnet SL-5ES-1, it's $100, rugged, takes 10-30VDC via screw terminals, and only draws 2W
 
** Best option may be the Sixnet SL-5ES-1, it's $100, rugged, takes 10-30VDC via screw terminals, and only draws 2W
  
= System Components (out of date as of 2012-06) =
+
= System Components =
* BeagleBone (controller)
+
* Fit-PC 2i (controller)
 
* 4-port fanless Ethernet switch
 
* 4-port fanless Ethernet switch
* 1 or 2 [[StrichLux]] boxes (transform engine/protocol converter)
+
* 3 [[StrichLux]] boxes (driver, each with:
** 1x [[StrichLux/IO-ArtNet|IO-ArtNet]]
+
** 1x [[StrichLux/IO-ETH|IO-ETH]]
 
** 4x [[StrichLux/IO-SPI|IO-SPI]]
 
** 4x [[StrichLux/IO-SPI|IO-SPI]]
 
* Many LED strips '''(need to work out dimensions)'''
 
* Many LED strips '''(need to work out dimensions)'''
Line 41: Line 50:
 
= Power Details =
 
= Power Details =
 
* Power requirements (peak)
 
* Power requirements (peak)
** BeagleBone - 1.75W
+
** Fit-PC 2i - ???
** Ethernet Switch - 1.7W (assuming AT-FS705LE V5)
+
** Ethernet Switch - ???
 
** StrichLux box(es) - ???
 
** StrichLux box(es) - ???
** LEDs - 10W/m (need to measure to confirm)
+
** LEDs - 10W/m (~1.8A/m at 5V measured, so 10W/m after losses is reasonable)
  
 
= Power Architecture =
 
= Power Architecture =
Line 95: Line 104:
  
 
= LED Details =
 
= LED Details =
* Length required (very roughly until I get real numbers from Skibit)
+
* Length required (very out of date, need to update w/ numbers from Skibit)
 
** Main vertical bars: 4 * 20ft = 80ft
 
** Main vertical bars: 4 * 20ft = 80ft
 
** Ladder vertical bars: 10 * 3ft = 30ft (but 2 of those are near ground level)
 
** Ladder vertical bars: 10 * 3ft = 30ft (but 2 of those are near ground level)

Revision as of 17:05, 8 June 2012

Beacon4 will be the fourth incarnation of the flagpole beacon (after Beacon2 and Beacon3), for Burning Man 2012. This year the plan is to take a different approach, and light the entire scaffold tower rather than just a beacon on top of the flagpole.

Project Status

  • 2012-06-07: Work on StrichLux continues. Evaluated lots of software, Lightjams is looking the best at this point, though would require Windows.
  • 2012-05-27: Completed rev. 1 StrichLux system design of all modules required for this project and sent all boards off for manufacturing.
  • 2012-04-30: Started planning the power architecture for the project.
  • 2012-04-29: Work continuing on IO-DMX module.
  • 2012-04-24: Permission received!
  • 2012-04-23: Requested permission from NeonBunny to attach LEDs to the tower.
  • 2012-04-22: Started putting together idea.

Outstanding Issues

  • Software evaluation:
    • QLC
      • Max of only 4 universes, which rules it out
    • MagicQ
      • Very complex and more geared toward theatre setups than VJ setups
      • Supports up to 16 universes over Art-Net
      • x86-only
      • Advanced features like sound-reactiveness or remote control require a very expensive license dongle
    • Lightjams
      • x86/Windows-only
      • Supports up to 16 universes over Art-Net
      • Sound reactiveness, remote control, Wiimote control, and everything else is included for a low price

Ideas/Plans

  • Main idea is to cover most of the scaffold tower in addressable LED strips, driven by multiple StrichLux modules
  • Art-Net will be used between the controller and the StrichLux box
    • Backup plan is to have a USB hub and one OpenDMX USB interface per universe, driving the StrichLux boxes via IO-DMX input modules
    • IO-DMX input module could be brought along either way and swapped to manually control the "display"
  • Fit-PC 2i is being looked at to control the whole thing
    • As nice as ARM would be power-wise, x86 will be much more flexible software-wise
    • Need to make sure it will be powerful enough before we order
  • Need to find a fanless very low power 4 or 5 port Ethernet switch
    • Allied Telesis AT-FS705LE V5 might work, it's rugged, low power (1.5-2.5W), and cheap
      • But it takes 7.5V which would be another regulator and is a potential point of failure that would bring the entire system down
    • Alternative option is the GarrettCom S14H-Hi, it takes 8-15V in via screw terminals and is ruggedized, but $140 and draws 4W
    • Best option may be the Sixnet SL-5ES-1, it's $100, rugged, takes 10-30VDC via screw terminals, and only draws 2W

System Components

  • Fit-PC 2i (controller)
  • 4-port fanless Ethernet switch
  • 3 StrichLux boxes (driver, each with:
  • Many LED strips (need to work out dimensions)
  • Power setup (need to work out power details)
  • Debugging terminal (XO-1?)

Power Details

  • Power requirements (peak)
    • Fit-PC 2i - ???
    • Ethernet Switch - ???
    • StrichLux box(es) - ???
    • LEDs - 10W/m (~1.8A/m at 5V measured, so 10W/m after losses is reasonable)

Power Architecture

http://www.asciiflow.com/#4007824742034929919/13747898[YOB-2]
                                                                              +--------------+
                                                                         +--->| LED Strip  0 |
                                                                         |    +--------------+
                                                                         |
                                                                         |    +--------------+
                                                       +---------------+ | +->| LED Strip  1 |
                                +--------------+       |               +-+ |  +--------------+
                                |              |       |   StrichLux   +---+
                                |     Dome     |    +->| Controller A  +---+  +--------------+
                                |   Lighting   |    |  |               +-+ +->| LED Strip  2 |
                                |              |    |  +---------------+ |    +--------------+
                                +--------------+    |                    |
                                        ^           |                    |    +--------------+
                                        |           |                    +--->| LED Strip  3 |
                             +----------+---------+ |                         +--------------+
                             |                    | |
                             |                    | |                         +--------------+
                             |                    +-+                    +--->| LED Strip  4 |
                             |                    |                      |    +--------------+
                             |                    |                      |
                             |                    |                      |    +--------------+
                             |                    |    +---------------+ | +->| LED Strip  5 |
    +---------------+        |                    |    |               +-+ |  +--------------+
    |               |        |    Distribution    |    |   StrichLux   +---+
    |    Battery    +=======>|                    +--->| Controller B  +---+  +--------------+
    |               |        |        Box         |    |               +-+ +->| LED Strip  6 |
    +---------------+        |                    |    +---------------+ |    +--------------+
                             |                    |                      |
                             |                    |                      |    +--------------+
                             |                    |                      +--->| LED Strip  7 |
                             |                    |                           +--------------+
                             |                    +-+
                             |                    | |                         +--------------+
                             +--+-------+---------+ |                    +--->| LED Strip  8 |
                                |       |           |                    |    +--------------+
                      +---------+       |           |                    |
                      v                 v           |                    |    +--------------+
              +--------------+   +--------------+   |  +---------------+ | +->| LED Strip  9 |
              |              |   |              |   |  |               +-+ |  +--------------+
              | Convienience |   |    System    |   |  |   StrichLux   +---+
              |   Outlets    |   |  Controller  |   +->| Controller C  +---+  +--------------+
              |              |   |              |      |               |   +->| LED Strip 10 |
              +--------------+   +--------------+      +---------------+      +--------------+

LED Details

  • Length required (very out of date, need to update w/ numbers from Skibit)
    • Main vertical bars: 4 * 20ft = 80ft
    • Ladder vertical bars: 10 * 3ft = 30ft (but 2 of those are near ground level)
    • Rigid guys: 4 * 6ft = 24ft
    • Ladder rungs: 8 * 4 * 1.5ft = 36ft
    • Total: 170ft (plus probably want a bit extra just in case, so 11 strips or 180ft)
    • That's 1760 LEDs and 550W peak!

StrichLux Enclosures

  • Each StrichLux controller with its 4 output modules, 1 input module, and 1 power module will need an enclosure of some kind.
    • Pelican case? Could do one larger one with all 3 controllers in it, or 3 smaller ones
    • Assuming each StrichLux box has its own enclosure, would need a bunch of connections made through it:
      • Power - 2x12V @ 20A each - 4 20A power pins
      • Ethernet input - RJ45 - 1 RJ45
        • Connec has plastic bayonet-style IP67 industrial Ethernet connectors which are somewhat reasonably priced, so far this looks like the best option even though it is a lot more expensive than regular non-weatherproof Ethernet
      • Strip outputs - SPI+5V - 2 signal pins, 2 10A power pins each x 4
        • JAE SRCN2A16-7S / SRCN6A16-7P would be good and extremely rugged, but the cost may be too high
  • Need inter-strip connectors too
    • Molex MX150 or Amphenol ATP connectors look good, sealed high-current automotive connectors that aren't too expensive

Test Equipment

  • Want to be able to power the whole setup from AC power for configuration/testing/programming
    • ATX power supplies provide plenty of +12V which could feed the PWR-DC5 modules
      • A modular supply like the OCX ZT-series would be cleanest, could modify the cables with Sabre connectors on the ends
      • Need 100W per channel, 200W per board, 600W total @ 12V
      • 100W per channel @ 12V means 8.33A
      • PCI-E and 8-pin CPU power connectors on ATX PSUs provide 6 amps per pin
        • PCI-E connectors have 3 pin pairs each
        • 8-pin CPU power connectors have 4 pin pairs each
      • Need four pins per board
        • Two boards get 8-pin CPU power -> Sabre connectors
        • The last board gets a 2xPCI-E power -> Sabre connector
      • OCZ ZT-series 750W power supply has all the required connectors