Automated Lighting Using DMX and Perl

Step 4 Serial to DMX conversion

The DMX signals to control the dimmers come from the unit pictured above. This device takes a RS232 (serial) signal from my home automation server and converts it into the DMX protocol. This allows me to control the lighting throughout the house automatically, and means that you don't actually have to use the dimmer control units in each room, this is really the whole point of automating the lighting, I have sensors in each room (standard security PIR sensors) that are being monitored by my home automation system, if movement is detected then the server sends a serial signal to the DMX controller to bring up the lights in that room etc...
Additionally it means that you can operate your lights over the internet, via SMS, IVR etc.. which can be useful.

Finally a picure of the rear of the server that connects to the DMX interface, this server is used to control the DMX interface.
....More about that in the software section below.

Comments

[vodo]

where did you get the Serial to DMX conversion box?

[toastyboy]

I got it from a company called Millford instruments.

You can find it here http://www.milinst.com/DMX/dmxtext.htm

Thanks for your interest