By Peter Lam, on 02 Mar 2013 03:46
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The Light Controller board, developed by Bigfoot Studios, is used for turning lights off and on with the ability to control the brightness from the board itself. Thus far three separate projects have been or are being developed using it: 1.) A lighted staircase that flashes depending on which step an individual is on, 2.) An outdoor pathway that will display a light pattern when the motion detectors sense movement, 3.) And a large ceiling light with animation capabilities.
Light Controller Board v1.4
Components
| Qty | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Light Controller PCB v1.4 |
| 1 | Arduino Nano v3.0 |
| 1 | TIP31C NPN Transistor |
Schematic
Board Attributes
The Light Controller v1.4 consists of 5 main parts, each providing its own function.
- Emitter: Pins D7, D8, D10, D11, D12 provide current to the Emtr ends of IR photo emitters. IR photo emitters require sufficient current and voltage to work at the rated condition. Resistor R8 is for protection.
- Receiver: Pin +5v is connected to the Recvr ends via resistor R1, which will be the IR photo transistor. The IR photo transistor is like a NPN transistor without a base end. Instead it detects an IR signal. When there is specified IR signal received, current will be allowed to pass through the photo transistor. Pin A4 senses voltage change caused whenever current passes through the circuit due to motion detection.
- Lighting control: The brightness of the LED is apportioned via the TIP31C through pins D3, D5, D6, D9. The various resistors will allow different values of current into the base of the TIP31C, maximizing LED output control.
- Communication pins: The Light Controller v1.4 uses pin RX0 and pin TX1 to communicate with other light controllers. TX1, for transmitting, goes to the comm port of MOLEX connector on the left of the board. RX0, for receiving, goes to the comm port of MOLEX connector on the right of the board. The communication within light controllers is one way only, from right to left. D4 and D2 serve as the backup of TX0 and RX0 respectively. A shunt connector can join TX0 and D4, and another shunt can join RX0 and D2.
- Optional parts: Data, Err, OK, and Motion LEDs can be added as well as a Test button.
Projects
Lab Staircase
The staircase in the Arduino Lab has been equipped with motion detectors that begin a light animation on the steps themselves when the corresponding motion sensor is triggered. Each step has it's own set of IR sensors and a Light Controller board capable of serial communicating with the other boards on each step.
Lab Staircase. The IR sensors are hidden behind the darkened glass in the wall.
When tripped, the sensors will case the stairs to light up.
Components (per device)
| Qty | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Light Controller PCB v1.4 |
| 1 | Arduino Nano v3.0 |
| 4 | IR Emitter (5mm Package) |
| 1 | IR Receiver (5mm Package) |
| 1 | TIP31C NPN Transistor |
| 1 | 1-Way 4-Pin Male Pin Header |
| 1 | 1-Way 3-Pin Male Pin Header |
| 1 | 1-Way 2-Pin Male Pin Header |
| 2 | 2-Way Shunt |
| 3 | 2-Block Screw Terminal |
| 3 | 200R Resistor |
| 1 | 2.7k Resistor |
| 1 | 4.7k Resistor |
| 1 | 6.8k Resistor |
| 1 | 11k Resistor |
| 1 | 10K Resistor |
| 2 | LEDs (5mm) |
| 1 | 10K Potentiometer |
| x | xxx |
Project Status
Completed
Schematic
Each device is connected to one another through a molex connector.
Source Code
| Name | Modified | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Lab Staircase v1.0-RC | 5/17/13 | Kendro |
BFC 28/F Ceiling Lights (Hong Kong)
1st set of diffuser installed on ceiling lights.
Project Status
- Waiting for final fabric installation; 4/29/13
- Waiting for other suggestion in animation routine; 4/29/13
- Installed with 35 diffused lights; 4/29/13
Specific Components
| Qty | Description |
|---|---|
| 5 | Bigfoot Light Controller "Q" Version |
| 1 | 12V 29A Power Supply |
| 35 | 12V Light Strips |
| 35 | Arduino Nano v3.0 |
| 1 | USB Tiny Programmer |
| 35 | TIP31C NPN Transistor |
| 35 | 2.7k Resistor |
| 35 | 4.7k Resistor |
| 35 | 6.8k Resistor |
| 35 | 8.2k Resistor |
| 35 | 10k Resistor |
| 35 | 100R Resistor |
| x | xxx |
Assembly
Demo Video for Device Box and Running Light ; 4/22/13
Fade and Speed Test ; 4/22/13
Testing for dimmest and brightest level for LED strips as well as Toggle speed (with and without delay).
Initial Animation with Diffuser Installed; 4/29/13
Demonstration of simple animation routine coded for turning the device on and off.
Pathway
Bigfoot Studios in Cebu - pathway behind main building leading from SS2 to Tiki Bar.
Casa 2 Stairway
Casa 2 Stairway (which one is still to be determined)
Change History
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 4/29/13 | Ceiling Lights v1.0-stable: Simple animation, slow random led strips turning off. Intended to perform animation in a way that the room and table are still evenly lit. |
Source Code
| Name | Modified | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Ceiling Lights v1.0-stable | 4/29/13 | Kendro |
| (name files with proper versioning and note stable/unstable release) |
| File name | File type | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CeilingLights_01.0-stable.zip | Zip archive data | 107.74 kB | Info |
| ceiling-lights.png | PNG image data | 21.5 kB | Info |
| Circuit_diagram_V1.4.jpg | JPEG image data | 152.12 kB | Info |
| Circuit_diagram_V1.4.sch | data | 15.6 kB | Info |
| IMG_3866.JPG | JPEG image data | 1.57 MB | Info |
| LabStaircase_01.0-RC.zip | Zip archive data | 2.63 kB | Info |
| LCBoard_In_Housing_2.JPG | JPEG image data | 247.9 kB | Info |
| LCPackage.JPG | JPEG image data | 157.23 kB | Info |
| Light Board.JPG | JPEG image data | 81.46 kB | Info |
| Light Controller v1.4.bmp | PC bitmap | 866.31 kB | Info |
| Light_Controller V1.4.pcb | data | 16.55 kB | Info |
| light_slave.ino | ASCII C program text | 15.4 kB | Info |
| mk120 light barrier.jpg | JPEG image data | 70.18 kB | Info |
| PIR_parthway.ino | ASCII English text | 3.38 kB | Info |
| StairCase.JPG | JPEG image data | 290.37 kB | Info |
| Staircase_Schematic.png | PNG image data | 16.48 kB | Info |
