DMX Demultiplexer

http://www.hoelscher-hi.de/hendrik/english/demux.htm

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DMX Demultiplexer

DMX 512

This LeastCost Demux converts up to eight consecutive DMX channels to the corresponding
analogue 0-10V signals.

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With this circuit you can integrate existing analogue dimmer packs into a new DMX installation.
A DMX Demultiplexer is made of:
1 DMX Transceiver
1-8 low pass filters with levelshifter
DMX-Transceiver (Rev. 3.01)
With this modul DMX data can be received or transmitted.
Because of the complete usage of the RS485 converter, a bidirectional transfer
of data is possible (i.e: RDM as described in ANSI E1.20). Till now this feature
is only supported by a few expensive devices.

high voltage
tesla coil
twin

Though the circuit is only made of an AVR and few other parts I recommend a
diy etched board.

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parts

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27/06/2012 12:04

DMX Demultiplexer

http://www.hoelscher-hi.de/hendrik/english/demux.htm

IC1
IC2
IC3
B1
LED1
LED2
R1
R2,3,4
C1,2
C7
C5,6
SW1
Q1
connectors

ATmega8515-16PU
75176B
7805
rectifier (round)
LED 5mm red
LED 5mm green
10k (PT10-S)
390 Ohm
27pF
100nF
100F
DIP-Switch (10)
8MHz (HC49)
pin header (single)

As you can see, the schematic is quite simple: The heart of the controller is the firmware of the mcu
(IC1). The start address is set with SW1. The LEDs indicate the status of the controller. The parts
around IC3 are responsable for an exact Vcc of 5.0Vdc. IC2 is the RS485-Transceiver. It allows our
controller to communicate via DMX512 with other equipment.
For a dimmer- or switchpack you have to connect the pins of "output" with the "-"pins of the
dimmer-/switchmodules because a mcu can drive bigger loads as a current sink. The "+"inputs of
all modules must be connected to vcc.
The "spare" port is used for additional pins or to jumper different modes.
AC1&2 have to be connected with a power supply of 9-12V ac or dc. 3-5W should be sufficient.
The following schematic shows you how to connect the transceiver with the DMX bus:

this is the layout:

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27/06/2012 12:04

DMX Demultiplexer

http://www.hoelscher-hi.de/hendrik/english/demux.htm

The board is 48 * 76 mm^2. The resolution of the picture above is 300dpi.

placement:

On the resources site you can find a manual for programming AVRs. The 8MHz crystal has to be
selected as clock source by changing the fuse bits.
After changing the fuse bits the transceiver should be flashed with the Demultiplexer Firmware. This
program generates high frequency PWM signals from the next eight channels after the start
address.
Filter and Shifter

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DMX Demultiplexer

http://www.hoelscher-hi.de/hendrik/english/demux.htm

A PWM signal is averaged via R1 and C1

and amplified by IC1A. The OP-Amp
doubles the input voltage. C2 prevents the
amplification of the PWM ripple after the low
pass.
I used the quad OP-Amp LM324 in my test
circuit. Any other rail to rail OPA should
work, too. If the LM324 is used, connect pin4
to +12V and pin11 to GND.
The ripple can be decreased by increasing
C1 and R1.
Debugging
A change of relevant channels is indicated by a flashing green LED. The red one repeats error
codes until the bug is fixed:
Pattern
flashing
double
flashing

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Error
Solution
There is no signal connected to the
Connect the transceiver to the DMX bus.
transceiver.
The signal is not accepted as DMX.
Swap D+ and D- at the DMX connector.
The transceiver cannot receive all Transmit more channels or choose a lower
required channels.
start address.

27/06/2012 12:04