Interfaces
In order to controll lamps using DMX, you need a DMX-interface for your computer. There are several different DMX interfaces on the market as well as a number of projects to build such an interface on your own. We only focus on interfaces that use either USB or ethernet on the computer side. The following interfaces are supported by Glowworm:FTDI
We support the reference design from the datasheet of the FTDI232RL-chip. It is the simplest and cheapest DMX interface we tried. The interface can be done on stripboard. The only problem is how to solder the FT232RL on the stripboard. We used one of those small adapter boards to convert SMD to TH-DIL. Get an adapter board from either:- Futurlec (Order number: 28PINSOIC)
- AK Modul-Bus
- ELV
Sunlight Killer
The Sunlight Killer is a High-End USB interface from Digital Enlightnment. It is more expensive than the FTDI chip but has buffered IO so only changes in channel values need to be transmitted. Also the bus is optocoupled from your PC to prevent damage. As a bonus, there is an application available for windows to use that device as Art-Net node. Support for this device is coming soon. The device is already on my desk.Art-Net
ArtNet is a specification for DMX over Ethernet. See http://www.artisticlicence.com for more information. There is a bunch of ArtNet-to-DMX-interfaces. It should work with all of those interfaces. Support for Artnet is coming soon. Stefan is working on it.Receivers
For evey lamp, you need a device that listens on the DMX-Bus and controlls some power electronics to actually controll the lamp and optional motors or other tings.
We mostly use DMX-receivers from Mr. Hendrik Hoelscher. See http://www.hoelscher-hi.de/ for more details. You can order ready etched PCBs for this tranceiver at Embedded Projects.