Modes

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Operational Modes

The system has been purposely designed so that the system degrades but can still operate (with manual intervention) if components fail for whatever reason. This is a principal design goal.

The interconnects between components are made, wherever practical, using CAT5 wire, with RJ45 connectors and plugs. That way the system can be reconfigured simply by plugging and unplugging CAT5 (although the signal type on a given pin and conductor varies).

Modes 1 - 3 are illustrated below in increasing order of complexity

Mode 4 is under development and uses a separate custom controller but not necessarily DMX512. The hardware controller is described here

Mode 4 provides:

That the actual physical position of the knob always accurately indicates the value of the device being controlled

Robust fail-over modes. If a computer or other home automation controller goes off-line or fails, manual operation of the system is unaffected.

Simple reversion to a conventional standardized system. Removing the custom controller(s) causes the system to conform to industry standard 0-10vdc control.

Use of ActiveKnobs for control of devices with native
0-10vdc control:

	Dimmers
	Audio controls
	Fan control
	and others

Use of ActiveKnob as logical devices defined by the home automation system:

Slave second and third lighting knobs as required by building codes

Overall "Scene" controls defined by home automation software

	On Vacation
	Good Night
	At Work
	Kids At Home
	Grandma Alone
	and so on

Device- or room-specific "scenes"

	Drapery control (winter, summer, light-controlled modes)
	Room lighting (Entertain, Evening, Homework, Housekeeping, etc
	And so on

MODE 1      No Dimming. Small DC (12vdc OK)   power supply

                   connected to pots provide basic ON-OFF function.

                                             CAT-5

0-10vdc -->>---------------------------->>--- Solid State Relay (SSR)
motorized
potentiometer

Text Box:
MODE 1 No Dimming. Small DC (12vdc OK) power supply
connected to pots provide basic ON-OFF function.

CAT-5
0-10vdc -->>---------------------------->>--- Solid State Relay (SSR)
motorized
potentiometer

     MODE 3   Dimming via DMX512 control using optional computer

                    (not shown)

                        CAT-5
0-10vdc Pot -->>-------------->>--Analog to DMX-- >--DMX dimmer--> SSR

                      Artistic Licence AL4020 module             Al4016 MODULE

               or NorthLight 0-10vdc to DMX module

                      OR

0-10vdc Pot --> >---Analog to DMX-->>--Chauvet DMX-35 or equiv. Dimmer Pak

MODE 2      Manual Dimming via 0-10 analog with optional Highest

                 Takes Precedence DMX512 control using computer

                   or microcontroller w/ DMX512 interface

                        CAT-5                                   CAT-5

0-10vdc -->>--------->> AL4002 module <<-------------->>SSR

motorized
potentiometer



                                       AND (OR)

                                         CAT-5

0-10vdc Pot -->>------------------------ --->>--   Chauvet DMX-35 or

motorized                                                                     equivalent
potentiometer

     M

ODE 3   Dimming via DMX512 control using optional computer

                    (not shown)

                        CAT-5
0-10vdc Pot -->>-------------->>--Analog to DMX-- >--DMX dimmer--> SSR

                      Artistic Licence AL4020 module             Al4016 MODULE

               or NorthLight 0-10vdc to DMX module

                      OR

0-10vdc Pot --> >---Analog to DMX-->>--Chauvet DMX-35 or equiv. Dimmer Pak

Modes 1-3 can be accomplished with relatively inexpensive, off-the-shelf equipment with no programming or soldering (except for working up the motorized pots if used).

Mode 2 is a conventional application of good old fashioned 0-10vdc analog (AMX) dimming,

Mode 3 is a completely conventional implementation of DMX512 dimming that a professional lighting technician should be able to service. There are multiple vendors and manufacturers with equivalent and suitable equipment for all parts of Mode 3.

Mode 4 is what is underdevelopment. There are numerous approaches that combine analog and digital control with attendant advantages and disadvantages. One goal is to make the system compatible with existing home automation software by providing a hardware interface that uses software instructions intended for X-10 and proprietary hard-wired lighting systems

Last updated: 08/14/07.