DFRobot has launched an Espressif ESP32-S3-based gadget designed for anybody working with DMX512-compatible lighting setups: the DFRobot EDGE102-DMX512.
“The EDGE102-DMX512 controller is a sophisticated lighting management system designed to handle stage, theater, and venue lighting utilizing the DMX512 protocol,” the corporate explains. “With quite a lot of interfaces — together with RS485, I2C, and UART — this controller helps seamless connections to a variety of sensors and gadgets, together with compatibility with Arduino and ESPHome for straightforward integration into customized tasks. It presents programmable, sensor-based automation for lighting and different stage tools, transferring past conventional guide management by consoles.”
DFRobot is trying to put some smarts in DMX512 lighting management with its EDGE102 (or EDGE201) DMX512 field. (📷: DFRobot)
Contained in the EDGE102-DMX512, delivered to our consideration by CNX Software program, is an Espressif ESP32-S3 microcontroller — giving it two Tensilica Xtensa LX7 cores working at as much as 240MHz with vector directions, 512kB of static RAM (SRAM), and 384kB of on-board flash. A devoted, although unnamed DMX512 processing chip offloads protocol work to cut back load on the microcontroller. There’s an built-in real-time clock (RTC) with battery backup good for 12 hours, and a 12-24V DC energy enter.
The corporate is positioning the gadget, which is for some cause labelled on its housing because the EDGE201-DMX512, as perfect for sensor integration — providing eight opto-isolated digital inputs to set off lighting controls mechanically primarily based on sensor readings or exterior switches. There’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Vitality (BLE) wi-fi connectivity, plus RS485 serial, I2C, and UART ports, shared with two general-purpose enter/output (GPIO) pins — plus a single relay output.
The EDGE102-DMX512 (or EDGE201-DMX512) is on the market to order on the DFRobot retailer at $59, earlier than quantity reductions; Arduino Leonardo house owners searching for a less expensive solution to experiment with the DMX512 protocol can as an alternative go for the corporate’s earlier DMX Defend at $17.90.