How to Network Pixel LED Controllers

You may have seen the word "Cascading" in the pixel LED controller's user manuals . We think this function of the pixel LED controller should called "Networking" .The system can be called as a  "Cascading" system. We are connecting pixel LED controllers to gather to get a synchronized playback from each controller in the network . The amount of pixel LED controllers that can be networked depends on the controller model (Read the controller user manual). The first pixel LED controller in the network is called "Master" controller . When networked , The button functions on other controllers will not work . Only the master controllers button functions will work . 

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Why Network Pixel LED Controllers ?

Let's take a example . Lets say I have a T-1000 pixel LED controller which is a single port pixel LED controller .This controller can only control up to 2048 pixel LED's using it's single port . Now , Lets say you have to program over 2048 pixel LEDs . Without networking you can go to multi port pixel LED controller (Eg- T-4000 , T-8000 ) .However , These multi-port pixel LED controllers are ten times more expensive than T-1000S pixel LED controller . This is where networking pixel LED controllers comes handy . You can network these inexpensive pixel LED controllers to create your pixel LED system without having to buy an expensive pixel LED controller like T-8000 .

The other advantage is that if you have a damaged controller in the network , You can simply replace the pixel LED controller that's damaged without having to replace them all .Simple and inexpensive . If you have used a multi port pixel LED controller , You have to replace the whole unit which is very expensive .

How to Network Pixel LED Controllers

Lets see how to network pixel LED controllers . For this tutorial I'm going to use Two T-1000S pixel LED controllers . With a custom animation we will show you how this system work as a one unit .

The Wiring 

As we discussed in our T-1000S pixel LED controller tutorial . We need to connect the power and the pixel led strings or strip s to each pixel led controller in the network . 

Power Supply Wiring - The controllers and the pixel LED strings / strips need to be connected to the power supply . You can use multiple power supplies .But , You have to use a common ground between the power supplies .If you are using a common power supply for the pixel LEDs and pixel LED controllers , You don't have to connect the data Gnd of the pixel led strip / string to the controller.

Pixel LED wiring - The pixel LEDs needs to be connected to the pixel LED controller  through the data and clock terminals (depends on the type of pixel LED string / strip) . The wiring should be according to the pixel LED layout and wiring pattern .

Networking Controllers 

To network the pixel led controllers together there are four terminals . Input A , INPUT B , OUTA and OUT B  .  These are the four ports we need to connect pixel LED controllers together . The two OUTPUTs of the previous controller should connect to the INPUTs of the next pixel LED controllers . The A terminal Should connects to the A terminals and B terminals should connect to the B terminals. Although , The user manuals says that you need to connect both A and B lines , We found out that that is not the case . The communication between the controllers happens through the B line .So , You may not have to connect the both lines . Only the "B" line connection will do the job . Use color coded wires for networking . It helps you not to mix up the wiring .

How to Install LEDEdit 2022 v8.0

• Download LEDEdit 2022 from the link at the bottom of this page.

Example  - Two K-1000C Pixel LED Network

In this example we are networking K-1000C pixel LED controlled together.  Each controller is connected to a single WS2811 pixel LED string which contains 50 pixel LEDs . Here is the wiring diagram of the system.

T-1000S Networking - Wiring Diagram

As you can see in the wiring diagram we are using a common power supply for both pixel LEDs and pixel LED controllers . The pixel LED strings only connects to the controller through the Data out of the controller . The first pixel led controller in the network called the master . The master pixel LED controllers OUT A connects to the next pixel LED controllers INPUT A and the master pixel LED controllers OUT B connects to the INPUT A of the next pixel LED controller . The same connection method should be used for the next pixel LED controllers in the network.

Programming 

Creating New Project LEDEdit

Please Read our Tutorial on How to program pixel LED in LEDEdit . We will skip the basics . Start LEDEdit software . 

• Create a new project . Select your controller and pixel LED from the list . Click on "OK" at the end .

Creating the Layout  

LEDEdit Auto layout creator window

Create the layout as you wish . Using the manual layout editor or Automatic layout creator . If you are using manual layout creator to create the layout , Create a port for every pixel LED controller in the network and connect the group of pixel LEDs  in the layout to the particular port . Here are some of the related articles on creating pixel LED layouts .

Pixel LED Edit - K led layout design Tutorial

How to Create a Text layout in LED Edit

Design layout using LED Edit's Manual layout Creator 

For this example we will create a 64 x 64 panel layout using the Auto layout creator . 

• Click on "Project Configuration" . Then , Select "Auto Layout" from the drop down menu .

• In the Auto layout creator window . Type the amount of pixel LEDs along the horizontal and vertical axis of your pixel LED layout. 

• Type the limitation of pixel LED controller in the "Max Number of Pixels for each port" input field .

• Select the connection pattern from the "Pattern" drop down list .

• Once all done , Click on "OK" .

In this example we have a 64 x 64 pixel LED which results 4096 pixel LEDs . Since , The K-1000C can only control up to 2048 pixel LEDs . The Automatic layout creator will create two separate ports .Each port represents a controller port (In this case two ports means two controllers) . Which means in this case a new controller in the network (Since , This controller have only one port). There is no connection between the two groups of pixel LED strings except for the power . Each pixel LED string groups data and clock lines will connects to the specific port of the controller . Above image shows the final layout of the pixel LED system. 

LEDEdit Auto layout panel layout 64x64

Even though , This system have two separate sections It works as a single layout . The result is same as if you used a multi port pixel LED controller . No different , except for the wiring and programming .

Recording | Programming 

It the same way you program your other pixel LED program . There is no difference . 

•Open a video , swf ,tol animation or use a default animation by clicking on "Video effect" and selecting an option . 

• Once the animation or the video is opened click on record button "Red dot" . Stop recording by clicking on the stop button "Green rectangle with white fill" .

• Once recorded , Edit the recorded by clicking on the Edit recorded button. Please refer to below article to know how to edit the recorded animation or video .

• More on Recording | Programming - How to program pixel LED in LEDEdit . 

How to Program pixel LED in LEDEdit - K .

Exporting 

LEDEdit Export window

• Once your programming / Recording done you can export your pixel LED effect . Click on "Export" and select "Export LED Effect (.led)" .

• In the export settings window change the settings as you wish . Refer to below tutorials for more info on exporting .

 How to program pixel LED in LEDEdit . 

How to Program pixel LED in LEDEdit - K .

•After changing the settings , Click on "Export" .

• Select a location to save the LED effect files .Click on "OK" .

Copying The Files

If you go inside the "LED" folder that LEDEdit software creates . There will be folders for each controller . With the controller number . Go inside these folders and copy the effect file inside the controller folder . Then , Paste it on the root directory of the SD card . Number the SD card .Eg - Controller 1 SD card should be labeled "1" and so on .. The Effect files should not be mixed .

Final Outcome

Insert the SD cards to the pixel LED controllers that they belongs to .E.g - The SD card that contains program for the controller one should go inside the pixel LED controller one . Once all the SD cards been inserted . Turn the power supplies ON . You will see the pixel LED system in work as a one unit. You can increase the amount of pixel LEDs in the system by adding more pixel LED controllers to the system.

Troubleshooting

Q . One pixel LED controller plays default pattern .

A - Check the SD card , Try a new SD card . If there are any reading issues , The error LED will blink .

Q . One pixel LED set is stuck .

A - Check the network jumper wires .  Replace the controller .

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