Arduino DMX-512 I/O Shield

Part I: FeaturesPart II: Parts and Downloads

p1000325

Breadboard is Great and All, But it’s not going to survive a six week run with actors tripping over it and that kid’s show that runs on Sunday mornings.  So here’s a shield that can fit onto your Arduino and securely hold all your connections in place.  It is tested and working with the dmx reception software I wrote for the Arduino.

Features:

  • Same hardware be used to receive or send DMX, so you only have to build one shield.
  • Onboard termination switch.
  • Reset switch brought to top of shield for easy access.
  • Pin 13 LED brought to shield for status/error messages.
  • Two tact switches allow in-the-field addressing, without permanently disabling any pins.
  • Header sockets for easy prototyping.
  • Solder through-holes for permanent installations.

Note: I changed the pin assignments slightly from early versions of the software to allow easier routing.  Pins 3 and 4 in the software are now pins 2 and 3, respectively.  As of Rev11 this change has been made, get the latest version here.

Continue reading for the parts and instructions…

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 at 2:28 pmand is filed under Electronics, Lighting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

4 Responses to “Arduino DMX-512 I/O Shield”

  • E. Roth Says:
    May 3rd, 2009 at 12:11 am

    I’ve been waiting for something like this for some of my projects! It’s not at the top of my list, but I’ll definitely be putting one of these shields together sometime.

  • Mickey Says:
    August 14th, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    Hi,have just got Rev 13 working on a 328 (Duemilanova) with Arduino 15 with the modified libraries. It works with an Artistic licence Microscope DMX tester and again with Magic Q + Enttec Pro. Will test with some Avolites desks but am sure it will be fine. Fantastic stuff. Thanks Mickey

  • Michael Says:
    February 5th, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    Hi, Just wondering if you’ve considered supporting RDM? It would allow you to patch intelligent fixtures, change behaviour mode, invert axes, and so on – all from the comfort of your arduino sketch. What d’you think? (Email me)

  • Max Says:
    February 8th, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    RDM is something I’m interested in doing, and the hardware has been designed to accommodate this functionality. But it’s not really a priority of mine, given that there isn’t a major console that supports it, and in the long run RDM is an evolutionary dead end anyway. In ten years, as intelligent lighting becomes a standard feature of every show, we won’t still be daisy chaining cable that costs $1.50 a foot everywhere. I hope.

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