PropController Description
The PropController is an open source single-board hardware platform designed for lighting and prop control. Based on the Parallax Propeller microcontroller, the PropController has 24 I/O pins, can be powered by both AC and DC supplies. Some of things you could control with the PropController include AC Dimmers, Low Voltage DC LEDs, Pixel Strings, hobby servos, and even motors. There are two versions of the PropController, RS-485/DMX and Ethernet. The DMX version features a galvanically isolated RS-485 half-duplex interface. The Ethernet version features the WizNet WIZ812MJ, which makes communicating via Ethernet easy. In addition, both versions are designed to be compact and have 4 mounting holes allowing it to be mounted into any enclosure. Programming the PropController is easy with the on-board USB interface and Parallax's Propeller Tool (a free download from Parallax Inc). To give you a head start a Google Project site has been created to provide both pre-made hardware drivers and completed “program and play” projects. Since the PropController uses the Propeller microcontroller it is supported by a very active community of users at the Parallax forums. HISTORY and PURPOSE
I wanted to create a DMX/Ethernet swiss army knife for the DIY Christmas community. I wanted to make something that anyone could learn and customize. Because the Propeller's development environment is free and well documented I'm hoping that not only will people learn to develop with the Propeller but also the community will start to create daughterboards (with drivers). This will allow others to use these building blocks to create a custom controller/dimmer. APPLICATIONS
Holiday lighting displays
Special FX and props
Show Control and automation
FEATURES
Parallax Propeller 8 core microcontroller
RS-485/DMX or Ethernet Interface
4 General I/O headers (4 data pins, 5V, 3.3V, Vin, Gnd)
1 Special I/O header (4 data pins, 5V, 3.3V, Vin, Gnd, I2C, TTL)
USB Programming Interface
On-board Zero-Cross sensing
Bicolor Status LED
Low Voltage AC and DC power input (6 to 9 V)
Screw Terminal Power connectors
Molex KK I/O connectors
3.3V and 5V voltage regulators
5V regulator provide 1 ampere of power for external hardware
Compact size: 5.25” x 3.00”
Free Development environment
POSSIBLE USES
Forward or reverse phase Dimming
LED Dimming, RGB or single color
Servo Control
Motor Control
Relay Control
Protocol Conversion
Ethernet to multi-universe DMX node
...or any combination of the above.
PropController Resources
PropController Forum: http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?91-PropController
Outstanding Enhancement Requests
1. Currently the LPD6803_Pixel driver only supports 1 I/O this needs to be extended to 4 to support an entire I/O header.
2. Currently the WS2801_Pixel driver only supports 1 I/O this needs to be extended to 4 to support an entire I/O header.
3. Currently the Renard driver can only Transmit, it would be nice if it also was able to receive. When the object is called the mode of operation should be specified, Tx or Rx. Note: To do this the enable pin on the transceiver must be controlled since it determines the data direction of the transceiver. Enable Low = Rx, Enable High = Tx.