Types of Control

Contact closure
Contact closure uses relays to replace manually controlled switches. Anything controlled by a
switch can be controlled via contact closure.

Devices
Window drapes and blinds, projection screens, sensors, lighting, motor controls, door locks

Benefits
§ Very simple – typically one action per contact
§ Easy troubleshooting – a multimeter can diagnose nearly anything

Disadvantages
§ Not scalable – typically needs one contact per function
§ Prolific wiring – lots of individual conductors necessary

Detail
When the relay on the controller is energized, the relay contacts are shorted together, emulating
a switch in the ‘on’ position. When the relay is off, the contacts have no connection, emulating a
switch in the ‘off’ position. The contacts on the NI series controllers are limited to 24vdc at 1 amp.

Analog
Analog control allows devices that can accept a range of input voltages to be controlled via an
AMX control system. Analog control usually lets you control one property of the control with a
degree of precision.

Devices
Camera Pan/Tilt/Zoom/Focus/Iris control, servomotor control, position sensing

Benefits
§ Detailed control for relatively little wiring
§ More deterministic than ‘ramping’ controls

Disadvantages
§ Needs adjustment to compensate for voltage drop–over distance
§ Needs one set of wires per function

Infrared (IR)
IR control is the most common form of remote control available. Most devices come with a hand
control that uses IR. IR control is accomplished by flashing infrared light in a pattern that is
recognizable to the controlled device.
Devices
All categories of devices use IR control, including VCRs, TVs, PCs, teleconferencing, etc.

Benefits
§ Ubiquitous – most devices have IR control
§ Simple – control is limited to a small number of functions

Disadvantages
§ Limited – restricted to subset of functions available
§ Prone to interference – sunlight, plasma TVs, compact fluorescents
§ One way – no direct feedback is available
§ Half duplex – only one IR code per port can be sent at a time

Details
There are typically two parts to an IR control signal: Carrier frequency and data.
For the carrier frequency, light in the infrared portion of the spectrum is flashed as some rate,
usual 41kHz or 455kHz.
The data portion is a series of pulses that each represent ones and zeros to form a serial data
stream.
The carrier frequency and data portions are combined and fed to an infrared LED to form the
complete signal.
The signal is received by an infrared photo transistor on the controlled device. The receiver looks
for flashes of light at the right carrier frequency. The data portion of that signal is decoded and
acted upon if it is accepted. Use of the carrier gives IR some amount of immunity from random
noise.
IR control in an AMX system is accomplished by the use of an IR emitter that the control port
flashes in the right pattern. The IR emitter is placed directly over the IR receiver on the controlled
device. This makes separate control of the identical products in the same environment possible.
IR control can also use a ‘wired IR’ port on a device. (For example, Sony S–Link, JVC Compulink,
etc…) Because the defacto IR standard is only concerned with the flashing of infrared spectrum
light, there are some differences in how manufacturers choose to transmit wired IR.
Depending on the device, the carrier part of the signal may or may not be included. To this end,
AMX IR ports allow you to strip the carrier for this purpose. The signal may also need to be
inverted. There are commands to send to the IR port to accomplish this.

Serial (RS–232/422/485)
Typically referred to as COM ports or serial ports, these ports allow for standards based
communication between devices. Serial communication can be bi–directional, making true status
feedback possible.

Devices
Higher end consumer electronics, most professional A/V devices, PCs, alarm systems, pool/spa
controllers

Benefits
§ Bi–directional communication can provide status information to the controller
§ All functions use the same wire
§ Long range (RS–422/485) – Balanced line sends signal up to 4,000 feet

Disadvantages
§ Communication setup is essential – data rate and other parameters of the communicating
devices must match exactly or it will fail
§ One command at a time – all communication shares the same wires, so messages must be
queued and sent out one at a time.
§ Limited range (RS–232) – only guaranteed for 50 feet at 9600 baud

Ethernet
This is a relatively new development in the control industry, and it combines the benefits of serial
control with the properties of a data network. There is typically a single Ethernet port on a
compatible device, shared for both data and control. Ethernet communication can be bi-
directional, making true status feedback possible.

Devices
Higher end consumer electronics (AV Receivers), professional A/V devices (Matrix Switchers and
Projectors), and PCs. More devices are now being released with Ethernet support.

Benefits
§ Bi-directional communication can provide status information to the controller.
§ All functions use the same wire (unlike contact closure).
§ Virtually unlimited range.

Disadvantages
§ Communication setup is essential – IP address must be “resolvable” by the controller through
the entire network infrastructure.
§ One command at a time – all communication shares the same wires, so messages must be
queued and sent out one at a time.
§ Timing is non-deterministic.