Practical PIC Projects

   

4 Channel DMX512 Driver
for PIC16F688

 



This project has now been replaced with the new version
see 4-Channel DMX PWM LED Driver project #805


Description

This project is a 4 channel DMX512 driver board.  It features four power MOSFETs that can be configured to operate in PWM mode or as on/off outputs.  The driver can be configured to use any four consecutive addresses across the full 512 channel address range.  It can be used to drive LED arrays or low voltage lamps in PWM mode or operate relays in static mode.

Feature list:

  • 4 channels with low side N channel MOSFETs providing up to 3 amps per channel
  • Two modes of operation:
    • 8 bit resolution PWM mode with a PWM period of 10ms (100Hz).
    • static drive mode with on/off outputs.
  • When no DMX data is received the driver can be configured to turn off all outputs, or leave them in their current state.
  • Configuration held in EEPROM so no external switches or jumpers required.
  • Flexible modes available to set configuration.
  • Configurable for active-high or active-low outputs to allow ease of interfacing to external drive electronics.

One of the design goals for this project was to keep the external hardware required to a minimum.  For this reason, most of the configuration is held in the PICs EEPROM.  The only two hardware enabled options are Output active drive level and Config mode enable.   The other goal was to make it easy to construct, to that end the PCB is single sided and uses easy to obtain through-hole parts.  I also didn't include the DMX connectors on the PCB since there are three types in use.


Driving four white LED arrays with PWM

 

Optional DMX address board

 

Driver with address board and PICkit2 attached

Running with red, green, blue and white LED arrays


DMX Protocol Overview

Without going into too much detail the following is a brief overview of the DMX protocol.  The protocol uses 8-bit asynchronous NRZ serial data and is unidirectional with the data being generated by a master controller.  The protocol supports up to 512 devices.  The maximum number of data slots that can be sent in one frame is 513, this comprises the Start Code and 512 Channel Data slots.  There is no address information contained in the data stream and no error checking or correcting information.  Devices receiving the data must count the number of data slots received to identify the Channel data corresponding to their base address and any additional following data slots if the device requires it.

The physical layer, based on EIA-485 electrical specification can support up to 32 devices (including the controller) on one bus.  Data is sent over the bus using differential signalling. The end of the bus should be terminated with a 120R resistor across the Data+ / Data- pair.

The full DMX512 specification is available from the USITT

 

 

  • MAB is Mark-after-break

  • Time between two Breaks may vary from 1.196mS to 1.25S

  • For dimming commands the start code value is 0x00. Alternate start codes can be used (see the USSIT-DMX512-A protocol specification, annex D).

Some photo's taken during testing

The scope trace clearly shows the break, followed by the MAB, start code of zero, a non zero value in channel one and zero for the data in the following channels.  The high pulses are the two stop bits at the end of each byte (see PDF )


 


Schematic

DMX Driver Board

Download schematic in PDF

 

 

Optional Address Board

Download schematic in PDF

PCB Layout

Component overlay

Download PCB artwork in PDF

Download PCB overlay (jpg)

 

 

Component overlay

Download PCB artwork in PDF

Download PCB overlay (jpg)

 

Component List

You can buy all the parts needed to build this project from most component suppliers world wide. In the UK you can get nearly everything from Rapid Online and I've included a parts list with their part numbers below.

 

All Rapid parts/descriptions correct at 11-December-2008.  You should check part# and descriptions are correct when ordering in case I've made a mistake transferring them onto this page.

Component Description Part #
R3,8,9,10,11 PK 100 120R 0.25W CF RESISTOR (RC)   [Order 1 Pack] 62-0348
R4,5,6,7,12,13 PACK 100 10K 0.25W CF RESISTOR (RC) [Order 1 Pack] 62-0394
R14 PK 100 330R 0.25W CF RESISTOR (RC)   [Order 1 Pack] 62-0358
     
C2,3,6 100N 2.5MM X7R DIELEC.CERAMIC (RC) 08-1015
C4 10U 35V 105 DEG.RADIAL ELECT. (RC) 11-1220
C5 47U 25V 105 DEG.RADIAL ELECT. (RC) 11-1165
     
D1 1N4148 SIGNAL DIODE 75V 150MA (TRU) RC  47-3416
D2,3,4,5* 1N4001A 1A 50V RECTIFIER DIODE (RC) 47-3420
Q1,2,3,4 STP36NF06L MOSFET LOGIC N 60V 30A (RC)  (alternatives) 47-0552
     
IC1 Requires pre-programmed PIC available from online store only  
IC2 DA78L05 V REG +5V 100mA TO-92 TRU (RC) 47-3612
IC3 ST485CN 8P L/P RS485/422 TRANSCEIVER RC 82-1044
     
JP1 2+2 WAY DOUBLE ROW PCB HEADER PLUG (RC) 22-0525
X1,2,3,4,5 2 WAY 16A INTERLOCKING TERMINAL BLOCK RC 21-0440
CON1 3 W SINGLE ROW PCB HEADER PLUG RC 22-0500
CON2** 5 WAY R/A SINGLE ROW PLUG (RC) 22-0710
ICSP 5 WAY R/A SINGLE ROW PLUG (RC) 22-0710
JP2 2 WAY SINGLE ROW PCB HEADER PLUG (RC) 22-0520
socket for IC3*** 8 PIN 0.3IN DIL SKT (RC) ALSO 22-0131 22-0150
socket for IC1*** 14 PIN 0.3IN DIL SKT (RC) ALSO 22-0132 22-0155
     
Parts for the optional DMX Address Board
R1 PACK 100 1K 0.25W CF RESISTOR (RC)   [Order 1 Pack] 62-0370
C1, C2 100N 2.5MM X7R DIELEC.CERAMIC (RC) 08-1015
D1-D10 1N4148 SIGNAL DIODE 75V 150MA (TRU) RC  47-3416
IC1 4017B DECADE COUNTER/DRIVER (RC) 83-0340
SW1 EXCEL 9 WAY 18 PIN DIL SWITCH (RC) 80-0314
Socket for IC1 TUBE (30) 16 PIN 0.3IN DIL SOCKET. 22-0133

Parts List Notes

* These Diodes only needed if you will be driving relays or inductive loads, otherwise don't fit them.

** Cut off one pin to make a 4-way

*** Much cheaper to buy a tube of 30 sockets if you're making more than one driver board

Alternate MOSFETS

The STP36NF06L MOSFETs specified are logic level devices and are specified to operate with a low gate voltage.  You can use standard N Channel MOSFETs with a suitable Ids current rating if you can't obtain this part and they should work fine with load currents of 2-3 amps.   


Construction notes:


Fig.1


Fig .2

Fig. 3

Fig.4

Fig.5

Fig.6

Fig.7

Fig.8

Fig.9

Fig.10

Fig.11

Fig.12

Fig. 1 Ensure you follow ESD precautions when constructing the board.  The MOSFETs in particular are very susceptible to ESD damage

Fig. 2 Start by installing the resistor, R2/3 aren't used.

In Fig.3  Install Diodes taking care to fit them the correct way round with the band on the diode body aligned as shown on the component overlay. 

Note: Diodes D2,3,4,5 are only required if the board will drive relays or inductive loads (board right) They're not required if the board will only be used for driving LEDs (board on left) 

Fig. 4  Install the capacitors.   Note C4 and C5 are electrolytic capacitors and need to be installed the correct way round.  C1 is not used.

Fig.5 Install the voltage regulator IC2 and the wire link LK1. For the wire link use an off-cut from one of the other component leads.

Fig.6/7  Install all the connectors, pin headers and sockets and LED1.  When installing the LED ensure the flat side on the LED body is aligned as shown on the component overlay.

The wire loop in the Gnd test point isn't required (I used it for connecting an oscilloscope probe during development)

Fig.8/9  Install the four MOSFETs Q1,2,3,4 last. Observe antistatic handling precautions to avoid damage.  Install and solder them into place one at a time.  Solder the lead that connects to the copper ground plane first, then the lead at the opposite end and finally the centre lead.

Use solder to tin the copper tracks between the MOSFETs and the screw connectors to increase their current carrying capacity.

Fig. 12  Once the board has been assembled, apply power to the board and check that there is 5 volts between pins 1-14 of the IC1 socket and 5-8 of IC3 socket.  Don't install the ICs into the sockets until this has been checked and is correct.

Important:

If the board will be used with all four channels at high currents you must use solder to heavily tin all the copper tracks between the screw connectors and all the tracks feeding the MOSFETs  

 

Connecting the board

The board can operate from voltages in the range 9-24 volts. The input voltage should be selected to suit the devices connected to the channel outputs.

Each channel can supply an absolute maximum of 3 amps*.  

As there is no fault protection on the outputs you may need to use suitably rated in-line fuses depending on your particular application.

The red + channel connections are connected to + DC in and are all connected together on the PCB. The black channel wires are the MOSFET switched connections to ground. 

Connection diagrams for LED arrays and relays are shown on the right.  When used with relays ensure that the operating mode is set to static and not PWM.

 

 

Connection for DMX in-out using 3 pin XLR socket.

There are also standards for 5-pin XLR and RJ45 connection.  www.dmx512.com

 


Configuring Driver Options

Options Summary

The DMX driver board has various user configurable options as summarised below.

  • The outputs can be configured to operate in PWM mode or static mode.  In PWM mode all four channels are driven with an 8 bit resolution PWM signal at 100Hz.  The duty cycle is derived from the DMX channel data with 0=0% through to 255=100%

    In static mode the outputs are either on or off.  The DMX channel data controls the output with channel data values from 0-127 corresponding to off and 128-255 corresponding to on.

    The driver cannot operate in a mixed mode, the outputs are either all PWM or all static.
     
  • When the driver stops receiving valid DMX data the outputs can be configured to either remain in their current state / maintain the PWM duty cycle, or turn off / set PWM duty cycle to 0%.

    The time from the last valid packet being received to entering the stopped state is approximately 1.5 seconds.
     
  • User configurable DMX Start Code.  For dimming commands the start code value is 0x00. Alternate start codes can be used (see the USSIT-DMX512-A protocol specification, annex D). The driver will ignore any DMX packets where the start code does not match the configured value.
     
  • DMX channel base address for the driver
     

Methods for Configuring the DMX Driver

The driver can be configured using the following methods:

  • Using a PIC programmer (via ICSP header) to modify the config in the PIC EEPROM.
    If you use this method please see the notes about writing to a code-protected PIC here
     
  • using a DMX controller to send the configuration as in-band channel data. 
     
  • The address only can be set using the optional hardware switch address board

In-band Configuration over the DMX channel

In order to use this method of configuration the DMX controller must be capable of allowing the channel data values to be set precisely.  Controllers that don't display the actual channel data value cannot be used since it's not possible to tell precisely what value has been set.

When the DMX configuration mode is enabled the driver listens for a packet with a start code of 0x00 and reads the data starting on DMX Channel 1.  The drivers current configured base address and start code are not used when in DMX configuration mode.  This allows it to be reconfigured even if the current data held in EEPROM is invalid.

The parameters that can be set over the DMX channel are:

  • DMX device base address
  • DMX channel 0 start code  (this should normally be set to 0)
  • PWM / Static mode select
  • Output behaviour when DMX data signal is lost

To configure the driver using DMX channel data:

  1. Connect a physical jumper between pins 1-3 of JP1. (Option 1)
  2. Cycle power to the board.
  3. Channel data is read from the first valid DMX packet received and used to configure the driver as shown in the table below.
  4. Once the options have been programmed into the EEPROM the driver will blink its status LED in a repeating 2 blink pattern.
  5. Remove the physical jumper from JP1
  6. Cycle the power to the driver to restart using the new settings.
  7. Watch the status LED to ensure the assigned DMX address is valid

DMX channel data / EEPROM  is interpreted as follows:

DMX
address
EEPROM
address
Value Setting
001 0x00 0-1 DMX address high byte
002 0x01 0-255 DMX address low byte
003 0x10 0-255 DMX Start Code
004 0x11 0-127 PWM Mode on
128-255 Static Mode on
005 0x12 0-127 no DMX data receive turn off output
128-255 no DMX data receive hold outputs in current state

DMX Base Address

The driver board receives data over four consecutive channels starting at the base address configured on the board.  The base address can be set to start at any address in the DMX packet, however it also needs to be set to an address compatible with the DMX controller.  Some controllers expect the start address to be located at fixed offsets, eg.  1, 7, 13, 19,25...   Refer to your controllers documentation.

The base address for the driver board is held in the EEPROM of the PIC.  It can be set by:

a) using the optional DMX address board
b) programming the PICs EEPROM directly
c) DMX in-band configuration mode using the DMX controller

The DMX address requires 9 bits to hold the full range of valid addresses.  It is stored in EEPROM using two memory locations; these are address 0x00 (high byte) and 0x01 (low byte).  If an invalid address is found in the EEPROM the driver board will indicate the error condition with the status LED.

Example 1.

DMX address 7
In Hexadecimal this is 007
Write 00 to high byte at EEPROM address 00
Write 07 to low byte  at EEPROM address 01

If address less than 256 then high byte = 0 and low byte is the address

e.g. address = 7

high byte = 0
low byte =7

 

Example 2.

DMX address 300
In Hexadecimal this is 12C
Write 01 to high byte at EEPROM address 00
Write 2C to low byte  at EEPROM address 01

Decimal conversion for sending as DMX channel data

if address greater than 255 then high byte = 1 and low byte is address - 256.

e.g. address = 300

300 is > 255 so high byte =1
low byte 300-256 = 44

Google will convert decimal to hex if you enter 'decimal_number to hex' into the search engine. The convention for indicating a value is in hex is to prefix it with 0x. 

The example above shows the EEPROM data for a driver board configured to use DMX base address 7

  • Start code 0
  • PWM outputs
  • Outputs shutdown when no DMX data is received

The example above shows the EEPROM data for a driver board configured to use DMX base address 300

  • DMX start code 0x0A  (10 decimal)
  • PWM outputs
  • Outputs remain in current state when no DMX data is received

DMX Address Board

The DMX Address Board option allows the base address of the driver board to be set using a bank of DIP switches.

At power-on the firmware in the PIC reads the current base address from the EEPROM.  It then tests for the presence of the optional DMX Address Board.  If the board is present the address set on the DIP switch bank is read and compared to the current address in EEPROM.  If the address set on the DIP switches is different, the new address is used and the EEPROM updated.

See flowchart

If the address board is present it will always take precedence over the address held in EEPROM or the address sent in any in-band DMX configuration. 

If no board is detected, the driver will use the address from the EEPROM.  This means a single DMX Address Board can be used with multiple drivers since it only needs to be present to set a new address.  Of course if you want each driver to have its own address board there is no reason why you can't fit one to each driver.

The use of a 9-way DIP switch allows the full range of 512 DMX addresses to be set and used.  A smaller DIP switch can be used if you only want to set addresses within a smaller range.  For example, a 6-way switch would allow addresses in the range 1 to 63 to be set. 

The PCB is designed to take a 10-way DIP switch module.  The 10th switch is not required or used. The reason the PCB is designed for a 10 way switch is that these seem to be both cheaper and more readily available than 9-way.  The PCB therefore provides the end user the flexibilty to use either.

The address is set on the switch bank in binary.

Switch No   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1
Binary value 256 128 64 32 16 4 2 1

Example: To set the base address to 300, set switches 9,6,4 & 3 to the on position.
256 + 32 + 8 + 4 = 300

Switch No

  9

  8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1
Binary value   256 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1
Switch position On Off Off On Off On On Off Off

Google will convert decimal to binary (see example below). 

Ignore the leading 0b and set the switches so 1 = switch on and 0 = switch off.


Operation

DMX Channel data

PWM mode

Channel Value Function  
0 0 - 255 PWM 0% - 100%  
1 0 - 255 PWM 0% - 100%  
2 0 - 255 PWM 0% - 100%  
3 0 - 255 PWM 0% - 100%  

Static mode

Channel Value Function  
0 0 - 127
128-255
Off
On
 
1 0 - 127
128-255
Off
On
 
2 0 - 127
128-255
Off
On
 
3 0 - 127
128-255
Off
On
 

Connectors / Headers / Jumpers

DC in

Input power for the driver board.  9-24 volts regulated DC.  The current rating of the power supply will depend on the devices being driven.  Ensure you use a suitable power supply for your application.

CH0,1,2,3

Low side switched outputs connected to the onboard MOSFETS.  Channel 0 is controlled by data sent to the DMX base address of the board, channels 1,2 and 3 to the next 3 consecutive addresses.  Do not exceed 3 amps per channel absolute maximum.

There is no fault protection on the outputs so depending on your application you may want to use suitably rated in-line fuses.

DMX RX in

Connects to the DMX data cable.  Since there are various DMX connector standards you'll need to wire this to the particular connector you are using e.g. XLR-3pin, XLR-5pin, RJ45 jack.

JP2  (TERM)

When the jumper is closed, the DMX signal is terminated into a 120 ohm resistor on the board.  This should only be done on the last board.  Also, if an external cable terminator is used, don't terminate on the board.

DMX address in

Connects to the optional DMX address DIP switch board.

JP1

Option 1
Pins 1-3:  Open, normal operation
              Closed, enable DMX configuration mode (see text)

Option 2
Pins 2-4:  Closed, output active low.  Open, outputs active high.
              Leave this jumper open for use with the driver board described on this page.

ICSP header

This provides a connection for In-circuit serial programming of the PIC.  The driver board must be powered when using the ICSP connector since it does not support powering from the programmer itself.  Disconnect the programmer before resuming normal operation.


Status LED

The status LED provides indication that DMX data is being received during normal operation and error and status codes if a problem is detected during start-up.

Note: Since the status LED shares the same PIC control line as a signal on the ICSP header when the the board is connected to a PIC programmer the status LED should be ignored until the programmer is disconnected.

Normal operation

LED Explanation
Blinking 2Hz (*_*_*...)
  • DMX data received within the last 1.5 seconds
  • At power-on for 1.5 seconds (even if no data received)
On (*)
  • No DMX data has been received within the last 1.5 seconds
  • Valid DMX data with a start code different to the one configured will also cause this condition
  • DMX D+/D- signal connection reveresed.
   

Startup Status Codes

During startup the status LED indicates errors and status by blinking a number of times followed by a pause; this repeats continuously.  The cause must be corrected and the driver restarted to clear the condition and enter normal operation. 

  LED blinks Cause
2 *-*--- Completed a DMX in-band configuration.
3 *-*-*--- Invalid DMX base address. =0
4 *_*-*-*--- Invalid DMX base address. >509
5 *-*-*-*-*--- EEPROM write failed after 5 retries
6 *-*-*-*-*-*--- PIC internal GPR memory failed to initialise
  • Status code 2 is not an error.  Once the DMX configuration has completed, remove the mode jumper and cycle power to the board to use the new settings.
     
  • Status codes 3 and 4 indicate the DMX base address for the board is invalid.  Re-program a valid address, using either the DMX address board, DMX in-band configuration or by programming the PIC EEPROM directly through ICSP.
     
  • Status codes 5 and 6.  If these can't be cleared by cycling power to the board, then the PIC is faulty and should be replaced.

Firmware

Full Function release

The full version of the firmware for this projects is no longer available to buy.  This projects has been updated and a new version of firmware produced to work with it. 

Please see the 4-Channel DMX Driver #805 project page

 

Web Demo Evaluation release

The HEX file download is a free to use demo / evaluation version.  You'll need a spare PIC16F688 to program the code into.  It is a fully functional version of the 4 channel DMX driver as described on this web project page but has the following limitations:

  • DMX base address is fixed at 001
  • The start code is fixed to 0

These settings are fixed, and any changes made by inline commands, EEPROM data or the optional address board have no effect.

Description Filename Download link
Web demo release (fixed base address)
HEX file ready to program into the PIC
dmx688webdemo.HEX
v1.1.2  27/03/2009
download
checksum D44C

IMPORTANT please read: 

It has been brought to my attention that some (free) programmer software either does not correctly preserve the data in the PICs config register at 0x2008 or needs to be told not to overwrite it.  This register holds the HF internal oscillator calibration word.  If it gets erased or altered the PIC will not run at the correct frequency.

Since the timing for the DMX data receiver is based on this clock if the calibration word is incorrect the DMX driver may not be able to receive data correctly or at all.

If in doubt get a Microchip PICkit2 programmer.  This will program the 16F688 correctly, it won't however recover a 16F688 that has been corrupted by another programmer.


Changing the EEPROM configuration options

Important: If you have bought a pre-programmed PIC for this project it is code protected.  It is most important that only the EEPROM data is written, therefore you must un-check the 'Program Memory enabled' option before clicking on Write ( see screen shot below)

Changes to the configuration are easy to make if you are using a PICkit2 programmer since this programmer allows you to directly edit the EEPROM data before programming.  Start by reading the data back from the PIC.  The program memory will appear as 000 because the PIC is code protected, the EEPROM data should return the current values stored in it.

Click on the EEPROM data to highlight it and enter the new value(s).  Once changes are complete simply click on the write button to program into the PIC.  Remember the values entered are in Hex not decimal so you'll need to convert them as required. 

In the demo version of the code, you can edit the settings in the EEPROM, but the base address and start code values are ignored.  The other settings are still effective in the demo version.


DMX Compatibility

We've tested the DMX driver board with the following DMX controllers:

DMX512 test data transmitter.

This small application generates 8 frames of DMX data in channels 1 to 8.  The data in channels 1 to 4 increments from 0 to 255 in a repeating pattern.  Data in channels 5 to 8 is always zero.

This code was written to allow testing of the DMX Driver with a DMX data stream where the Break, MAB, packet idle time, packet length, etc could all be configured.  This was required since many commercial products don't generate DMX packets with minimum timing parameters and it was necessary to ensure the application code would work reliably under these conditions.

This code has been provided to allow testing of the DMX Driver described on this web page with a consistent DMX512 data packet stream.  The DMX output from this code generates a Break of 92uS, MAB of 5uS and an idle time between packets of 5uS.  Channel data is sent back-to-back with no delay. 

Description Filename Download link
DMX transmitter test code
HEX file ready to program into the PIC
dmx688demotx.HEX
V1.0.0  15/10/2012
download
checksum 7347

Example schematic for testing

 

 

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