GDC
System Overview
The system provides a comprehensive DMX distribution and monitoring installation.
The Merger-boosters are connected through a central network controller to allow the DMX status (signal quality) to be monitored at a controlling PC.
In addition the Merger-boosters hold a series of preset cues which may be activated from the controlling PC or a series of Command stations which are handled by the central controller.
Network Controller System
The system consisting of a series of Merger-Boosters and Digital OCUs is interconnected via a STATUS/BACKUP serial data link to a Global Dimmer Controller (GDC) which acts as the heart of the system and provides an interface between a PC System Monitor and the system.
Merger-Booster
The Merger-Booster units in the system while acting as distributors of DMX signals store a series of preset cues which are activated on the receipt of commands from the Global Dimmer controller to which they are connected via a serial STATUS/BACKUP line.
Each carries an individual address which may be programmed through the system.
Global Dimmer Controller (GDC)
The Global Dimmer Controller handles the commands from the distributed command stations and controls the Merger-Boosters comprising the dimmer control installation.
It handles the following system functions:
- Distributed command station polling.
- Transmission of preset cue activation commands to the Merger-Boosters.
- Handling and retransmission of commands and data from the PC Monitor program.
It is connected to the system as follows
- The STATUS/BACKUP data link outputs to the system Merger-Boosters and D_OCUs
- The COM1 serial data link output to the PC Monitor
- The STATION LINK outputs to the distributed command station bus.
DMX status requests, preset storing and other commands from the PC Monitor are passed through the GDC to the Merger-Booster and Digital OCU network via the STATUS/ BACKUP link.
Preset cue activation commands entered at the command stations are transmitted to the Merger-Boosters over the BACKUP link in function of the fade times stored in the GDC.
PC Monitor Utility
The PC monitor utility communicates over a serial data link with the Global dimmer controller handle the following system level operations:
Storing of the current DMX system wide source cue in a specific preset in the network Merger-Boosters
Download of fade-in and fade-out times to the GDC for each preset cue stored in the Merger-Boosters.
Command Stations
Up to 10 command stations or opto-coupled parallel interface may be connected to the Global Dimmer Controller. The stations allow the system wide preset cues recorded in the Merger-Boosters to be activated.
The presets are faded in or out with the fade times recorded in the Global Dimmer Controller
The stations are connected to the GDC ( STATION LINK 1 or 2 RJ45 connectors) via a high speed serial RS485 data link. The stations are also powered from the GDC.
Two station types are available:
8 key The 8 individual keys act on preset cues 1 to 8. All 8 key stations control the same presets in parallel. Each station key controls one preset.
4 key Each pair of keys (UP and DOWN) act on one of the preset cues 9 and 10. All 4 key stations control presets 9 and 10 in parallel.
(new feature)
OPTOCOUPLED PARALLEL I/O CONNECTIONS WITH A PLC
(PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLERS)
Beside command stations, Global Dimmer Controller may be connected to a Programmable Logic Controllers through an opto-coupled parallel interface.
The opto-coupled parallel interface has 9 inputs and 9 outputs.
First 8 inputs act exactly like 8 key station, PLC may send commands for respectively activate or deactivate the virtual key corresponding to the input.
The last input allows to store a preset (1…8) into the Merger-Booster.
First 8 outputs send to the PLC state of the LED of each virtual key.
The last output return the state of the GDC (normal mode or reprogramming mode).