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== Timings ==
 
The clock rate is 250 kHz so each symbol bit on the wire is 4 microseconds long (period time).
 
  
Frame rate is ??
+
== connectors ==
Packet rate is typically around 44 Hz when all frames are sent.
+
The use of modular plugs like 8-position modular connector (8P8C or RJ45) or 6P4C (RJ11)? Is there any allowance for other than 8 position modular connectors?
 +
Some product (cheap dimmers) have 6 position connectors (RJ11).
  
== RDM protocol additions ==
+
== Sender/receiver topologies ==
The name of the standard is: ANSI/ESTA 1.20, Entertainment Technology - Remote Device Management over USITT DMX512
 
???
 
Mark (beginning of frames)
 
Mark After Break (beginning of frames)
 
 
 
Mark time between packet
 
Mark time between frames
 
 
 
 
 
== Use of category 5 UTP or STP ==
 
New cable types is used, and may be officially accepted.
 
http://www.usitt.org/standards/DMX512_FAQ.html#FAQ_08
 
 
 
The use of modular plugs like 8P8C (RJ45) or 6P4C (RJ11)
 
 
 
The cabling for DMX512-A should be described in the document  called "BSR E1.27-1 -- Portable Control Cables for Use with USITT DMX512/1990 and E1.11 [DMX512-A]"
 
 
 
== Sender/receiver topologiess ==
 
 
To avoid ground loops and improve reception performance, transmitters and/or receivers can be grounded/floating/non-isolated ???
 
To avoid ground loops and improve reception performance, transmitters and/or receivers can be grounded/floating/non-isolated ???
 
http://www.usitt.org/standards/DMX512_FAQ.html#FAQ_15
 
http://www.usitt.org/standards/DMX512_FAQ.html#FAQ_15
Line 31: Line 12:
 
Receivers should be ...?
 
Receivers should be ...?
  
== More suggestions and info ==
 
  
 
== Voltages ==
 
== Voltages ==
  
The power dissipation in the 120 Ohm terminating resistors depends on the differential voltage between the two data wires.
+
At http://www.dmx512-online.com/physl.html there is an example wit D1+ at +5V and D1- at -5V, and considering [http://focus.ti.com/lit/an/slla070c/slla070c.pdf page 12 in this document from TI] it is presumably a wrong interpretation.
If the transmitter only makes a 5 V differential voltage, the power dissipation is P= U*U/R= 5*5/120 = 208 mW.  
+
 
 +
[http://www.dmx512-online.com/physl.html This web page] cites RS485 as having a upper limit of +12/-7 V with respect to ground. This probably refers to common mode loading voltages that receivers must work with. I.e. one of the data wires is allowed to reach +12 or -7 V but the opposite wire must not be at the other extreme, but only differ by 6 V maximum.
 +
 
  
According to http://focus.ti.com/lit/an/slla070c/slla070c.pdf the maximum absolute differential voltage allowed by the EIA485 standard is 6 V.
 
This give the maximum power dissipation is P= U*U/R= 6*6/120 = 300 mW. So it is best to use 1/2 W resistors.
 
  
This web page cites RS485 as having a upper limit of +12/-7 V with respect to ground: http://www.dmx512-online.com/physl.html
 
  
Transciever chips made for 5 V:
 
Linear Technology LTC485: http://www.linear.com/pc/productDetail.jsp?navId=H0,C1,C1007,C1017,P2064
 
National semiconductor LMS485: http://www.national.com/mpf/LM/LMS485.html
 
National semiconductor DS75176B (used in Martin PAL 1200, Lite-Puter DX-625 and a cheap Eurolite DMX console) http://www.national.com/mpf/DS/DS75176B.html
 
  
 
== Debugging tips ==
 
== Debugging tips ==
Line 53: Line 28:
  
 
How can reverse polarity be detected?
 
How can reverse polarity be detected?
 +
* The break at the very beginning of a packet must be low
 +
* If all transmitted data bytes have value zero, the DMX line should be low about 80 % of the time if there are no extra idle time between slots/frames or packets.

Latest revision as of 13:26, 9 December 2009

connectors

The use of modular plugs like 8-position modular connector (8P8C or RJ45) or 6P4C (RJ11)? Is there any allowance for other than 8 position modular connectors? Some product (cheap dimmers) have 6 position connectors (RJ11).

Sender/receiver topologies

To avoid ground loops and improve reception performance, transmitters and/or receivers can be grounded/floating/non-isolated ??? http://www.usitt.org/standards/DMX512_FAQ.html#FAQ_15 There are different topologies, and not all will work together. There are no requirement for what topology to use in the DMX specification from 1990, so it was added to DMX512-A.

Transmitters should use "earth ground" as a reference for the positive/negative voltages that is put on the two data lines. If they don't, it must be clearly marked on the product and in the manual. Receivers should be ...?


Voltages

At http://www.dmx512-online.com/physl.html there is an example wit D1+ at +5V and D1- at -5V, and considering page 12 in this document from TI it is presumably a wrong interpretation.

This web page cites RS485 as having a upper limit of +12/-7 V with respect to ground. This probably refers to common mode loading voltages that receivers must work with. I.e. one of the data wires is allowed to reach +12 or -7 V but the opposite wire must not be at the other extreme, but only differ by 6 V maximum.



Debugging tips

Links to simple testers?

How can reverse polarity be detected?

  • The break at the very beginning of a packet must be low
  • If all transmitted data bytes have value zero, the DMX line should be low about 80 % of the time if there are no extra idle time between slots/frames or packets.