Roku_C_TTL_8x16 (TTL Serial)

Roku Compact Interface

For Brightsign Compact HD410, 810 & 1010

8 inputs and 16 outputs (uses the 5VTTL Serial Port)

ROKU_C_TTL_8x16

Features:

Small footprint (4.0 x 3.0 inches)
16 Output Drivers for Lamps or Relays (ULN2803A driver)
Terminal blocks for all I/O connections
Two Diagnostic Modes Selectable on board
6, 12V or 24V outputs (requires external power supply)
on board LED's to indicate Roku Power and Processor running.
16 Outputs (uses the 5VTTL serial port @ 19200 baud) .9 meter cable included!
Can plug directly into the Brightsign (no DB15 cable required)

Note: The new 'CSV' TTLSend() command may require firmware ('Autorun.brs') upgrade to the Brightsign. Contact Roku for this upgrade.

Diagnostic Modes:

Option 6: This selection will 'cycle' both output ports (0-7 and 8-15). One output at a time on each port is turned on. I.E. Output0 and Output8, then Output1 and Output9. This diagnostic will help determine if all of the output wiring is correct (lamps, relays and such).

Option5: This selections will cause output of decimal '170' every second to the 5VTTL serial port. This diagnostic is to help determine that the baud rate and connections are good. This diagnostic requires BrightScript to get data from the 5VTTL serial port.

Outputs:

The 16 outputs are controlled by two bytes sent via the 5VTTL serial port. This port connection is the stereo jack labeled '5v Ser' on the interface side of the Brightsign. In a CSV file you can follow the 'playfile event'' with this command ':TTLSEND(byte1,byte2)'. Byte1 controls port1 and byte2 controls ports on my board. So, if you send :TTLsend(1,128), this command will send decimal 1 to port 1 (Outputs 0-7) and decimal 128 to port2 (Outputs 8-15). The following numbers turn on their respective outputs:

Decimal Port1 Port2
1 Output0 Output8
2 Output1 Output9
4 Output2 Output10
8 Output3 Output11
16 Ouput4 Output12
32 Output5 Ouput13
64 Output6 Output14
128 Output7 Output15

To Turn on multiple outputs just add the numbers together for the outputs that you want on with the data bytes. I.E. If you want to turn on Output 0 and Output7 just add 1 and 128. Send 129 to port1 and turn on Outputs 0 and 7.

Note: To keep sync on the serial bytes, there has to be 10 milliseconds delay between sending bytes. This delay or 'break' keeps my board synchronized with the data coming in.

The maximum current draw on any one pin of the ULN2803 is 300 milliamps. The maximum aggregate draw (all outputs combined) is approximately 1 ampere. Most small lamps draw only 40-50 milliamps so the current capability of the ULN2803 should be adequate for most applications.

Link: AutoPlay.csv Example using the new 'TTLsend' commands. Remember to set the serial port speed to 19200! Link: Setting up the Serial Port and Sending Bytes with 'BrightAuthor'.

Note: External Supply Voltage: An External Power Supply is needed to power the loads on the output connector. Do not connect any loads that have their own power that exceeds the power as applied to the board using the 'Ext. Power Connector'. Doing so may result in damage to the board. I.E. Suppose that 12 volts is supplied to this board and you have a relay board with it's own power of 24Volts DC that powers the relays. The 24VDC will feed back into the board via the foldback diodes. Note: Foldback diodes are required for inductive loads such as relays or small motors.

Updated: October 26, 2009