'Pixie' Installation & Use
Introduction
'Pixie' is a Wifi ArtNet to WS2811/12 (NRZ) Driver interface, and is capable of receiving one DMX universe (512 channels) and converting to
a continuous NRZ data stream that will appear on the JST output connection. Network connection can be made by utilising a special Access-
Point Mode. Device IP, ArtNet, and LED Test are available directly from a second browser interface once the Wireless network connection has
been made. Pixie can also be unlocked if a special unlock code is purchased which will allow access to an additional 3 configurable universes,
sACN(E1.31) receive, and the ability to name the device on an ArtNet network
Specifications
Browser Configuration Server and UDP Client mode
Single Universe ArtNet II & III and sACN E1.31 decoding DMX512 data to WS2811/12 in NRZ Format
Radio Module : Wireless standard 802.11 b/g/n, Frequency range 2.4-2.5 GHz
Power input : 5V USB Powered, or
MAX 5V
external power applied to RED wire of 3-Pin JST Connector
Parts Supplied
Pixie Interface 1 x 3 pin JST Cable
Status LEDs
Network Select
: Slow fingle flash RED=APMode, not connected – Slow double flash RED=APMode, connected
Network Connect
: Medium single flash RED=ClientMode, not connected – Solid BLUE=ClientMode, connected
Data Streaming
: BLUE OFF=streaming/data being received that matches universe selection group
Unsuccessful network Connection
: Equal On/Off slow flashing RED (after 60 seconds of failed attempts)
Access-Point Connection
On first power-up (when the device has not been set up before), it will appear as an Access Point. If you check your list of wireless network
connections you will find the device in the list as 'Pixie xxyy' (where xxyy are the last two octets of the device mac). The device's LED will be
slowly flashing RED. On your PC, select the device from the list of wireless network connections and enter 'smartshow' for the password. Once
connected the device's LED will do a repeating slow double flash.
[Laptop/PC]
<--- direct wifi connection --->
[Pixie in APMode : 192.168.4.1]
'Join A Network' Configuration Page
To access the '
Join A Network
' configuration page, type into the URL bar '192.168.4.1' and press return, the configuration interface should
appear as follows:
Network SSID & Password Settings
Network SSID:
Enter the name (SSID) of the wireless router for the network you wish to join
Network PASS:
Enter the password (PASS) for the above network.
[Save SSID & Password]
The above SSID and Password will be saved so that next time the device reboots, the connection will be
made automatically (unless the Network/Pass cannot be verified)
[Connect to Network] *READ DEVICE SETTINGS BELOW BEFORE PRESSING CONNECT*
This will allow the device to connect
to the Network as specified above, the device will close down its Access-Point ('Join-A-Network') connection and restart as a network
client/node. While the device is making the network connection the LED will show a medium RED flash. When the device's LED
changes to a solid BLUE it confirms the connection to your chosen wireless Network.
Device Settings & IP Configuration
Device IP Address:
It is possible to set the IP Address of the Pixie to almost any value. Many ArtNet devices will use standard IP
addresses of 10.x.x.x or 2.x.x.x, only values of 0-254 can used, 255 is not allowed.
Note : If you change this IP address, the new IP address will be the one that will allow you access to this configuration page next
time you reboot. Also take care to only change to an IP address that you actually have access to.
Device SubNetMask:
Normally this should be left at 255.255.255.0, which will cover most applications.
[Save Device Settings]
Saving the configuration will write the Device IP and SubNetMask values to the Pixie's internal memory, so
on next power-up the new settings will be used.
Resuming Network
Connection
Once the device has connected to your chosen Network (Solid BLUE LED), then you should disconnect your Laptop/PC from the Pixie's AP-
Mode (it might automatically do this anyway), and then manually connect your Laptop/PC back to your existing Network (Same SSID as
above)
[Laptop/PC]
<--- wifi --->
[ROUTER]
<--- wifi --->
[Pixie in ClientMode : 192.168.1.200]
Note
: If the device's LED stays flashing medium speed RED then you have not been able to connect to your desired network (you may
have entered the SSID & PASS incorrectly). If you cycle the power to the device you will start in AP mode once again, the device will do this
until a confirmed network connection has been made.
Browser Configuration Mode
To access the browser configuration page, type into the URL bar the Network IP Address (this will be default value '192.168.1.200' unless
you have changed it from within the 'Join-a-Network' page) and press return.
Note : Access to the Browser Configuration page is only
available when ArtNet data is NOT streaming to the device over the network, therefore access can only be granted when the Devices LED is
SOLID BLUE.
The configuration interface should appear as follows:
Device Settings & IP Configuration
Network:
The page should announce the currently connected network name as 'Connected to..'
IP Address:
It is possible to set the IP Address of the Pixie to almost any value. Many ArtNet devices will use standard IP addresses
of 10.x.x.x or 2.x.x.x, only values of 0-254 can used, 255 is not allowed.
Note : If you change this IP address, the new IP address
will be the one that will allow you access to this configuration page next time you reboot. Also take care to only change to an IP
address that you actually have network access to.
SubNetMask:
Normally this should be left at 255.255.255.0, which will cover most applications.
MAC Address:
This is not adjustable and is a unique number created when the device was manufactured.
[Save]
New IP configuration will not take place until the Pixie has its power cycled (or by pressing [Reboot]). Saving the
configuration will write the Device IP and SubNetMask values to the Pixie's internal memory. On the next power-up the new settings
will be used.
Art-Net Starting Universe
These values can be configured to match the requirements of your system. There are a total of 32,768 universes for ArtNet III
ArtNet Mode: Net:
Range 0-127
SubNet:
Range 0-15
Universe:
Range 0-15
[SAVE]:
New ArtNet settings will take immediate effect after they are saved.
Pixel Test
Connected Pixel colours can be tested by pressing buttons for either RGB or RGBW, clear ALL using OFF.
Starting Channel
Enter the first Channel that you require the pixels to start from, leave as zero to start at channel zero
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