Revision 4
Author: Anders Zellén
Wireless Solution Sweden Sales AB
Stureparksvägen 7
– 451 55 Uddevalla – Sweden
+46 522 511 511 Tel. +46 522 440 885 Fax.
Wirelessdmx.com [email protected]
17(23)
14/11/2014
7.3 W-DMX RDM Interface
The W-DMX transceivers can act as a managed RDM proxy. Please see the separate
document “W-DMX RDM Manual” for details.
8
In System Software updates (Boot Loader Support)
The W-DMX device is equipped with a so called boot loader which allows the end user to
upgrade the device to a new software version even when installed in a fixture.
When power is applied to the W-DMX device the boot loader is entered and the Status LED
is lit as an indication. In this mode it waits for a sync signal from a W-DMX USB Dongle. If
no signal is received within 0.5s normal operation is resumed and the system enters the main
program.
If no valid program is found on the W-DMX card, for example because of an interrupted
upgrade, the Status LED will blink slowly to indicate this.
During software upgrade the Status LED blinks once for every valid packet received.
When software update is performed, configuration settings on the device is not affected and
therefore the software lock that disable 2.4 functionality is not affected.
8.1 Design considerations
Designing for boot loader compatibility requires a few considerations that might not normally
be included in a simple receiver setup:
8.1.1 Bidirectional connection
In a simple fixture external DMX ports might not be present. For the boot loader to be able to
communicate with the USB Dongle a bi-directional connection is required between the DMX
terminals of the W-DMX device and an external connector.
Some fixtures offer an external XLR connector for DMX input, often to a separate UART on
the uC. This will not work as the boot loader requires unhindered control of the data lines.
Also, most repeaters/splitters will not work as the boot loader protocol uses the non-DMX
data rate of 57.6kbps.
8.1.2 A means of resetting the device
Since the W-DMX device enters the boot loader at start up, some way to restart the device is
required in order for upgrades to work. This can be done either by power cycling the W-DMX
card or by pulling the RESET pin low on an L6 card.
If the fixture controls the power state of the W-DMX device care must be taken to ensure that
the data lines are available to the device at start up.
