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• Carambola

  Ryan • 09/02/2014 at 18:35 • 0 comments

  I've (re)discovered the wireless module I am planning on using. It is the Carambola 2 from 8devices (http://8devices.com/carambola-2).

• Galvanic Isolation

  Ryan • 08/21/2014 at 06:18 • 0 comments

  Another common feature in DMX interfaces to ensure that components don't get damaged by any electrical issues is galvanic isolation. It looks like some opto-couplers are needed to prevent the microcontroller or wifi board from getting fried.

• Microcontroller for DMX Buffer

  Ryan • 08/21/2014 at 06:15 • 0 comments

  After reading up some on how existing DMX interfaces handle communication, it looks like having an additional microcontroller to handle the output of messages via the RS485 is needed. So, in order to ensure stable communication via DMX regardless of any hiccups the cpu on the wi-fi board may experience (basically the host computer if this were a USB to DMX interface), an atmega microcontroller will be used as a buffer chip that will act like an interface between the wi-fi board and the chips used for RS485 communication.

• Wi-Fi Chip + Web Page Serving

  Ryan • 08/21/2014 at 06:08 • 0 comments

  A while ago I found a board for sale that is about the size of a Raspberry Pi. It comes equipped with an Atheros chip for Wi-Fi communication, in addition to possessing some capability of executing programs. It is basically the board inside of those mini routers, except intended for use in projects rather than for use as a router. I ordered one about a year ago that I have lying around and will use. Unfortunately the name of it is escaping me at the moment, but it has a pcb that is some shade of yellow whose name I am uncertain of.

• DMX Protocol - RS485

  Ryan • 08/21/2014 at 06:04 • 0 comments

  It turns out DMX just uses the RS485 protocol. There are a plethora of chips that can be used to communicate via RS485, so plenty of options if one doesn't work out.

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