Artistic Licence Micro-Scope 3c User manual

Micro-Scope 3c
User Guide
Artistic Licence Engineering Ltd
Firmware v1.7 User Guide v8.3

2

3
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................7
DMX output / RDM Connection..........................................................................................................7
DMX input...........................................................................................................................................7
Power..................................................................................................................................................7
9V PSU.............................................................................................................................................7
Battery.............................................................................................................................................8
Menu Navigation.................................................................................................................................8
Top Menu............................................................................................................................................9
DMX512 Menu....................................................................................................................................9
DMX - TRANSMIT Menu......................................................................................................................9
DMX - TRANSMIT - CHANNEL Menu .............................................................................................10
DMX - TRANSMIT - RANGE Menu .................................................................................................10
DMX –TRANSMIT - SCENE Menu..................................................................................................11
DMX –TRANSMIT - SNAPSHOT Menu ..........................................................................................12
DMX –TRANSMIT - CONFIG Menu ...............................................................................................12
DMX - RECEIVE Menu........................................................................................................................14
DMX –RECEIVE - STATUS Menu ...................................................................................................14
DMX –RECEIVE - GRAPH Menu ....................................................................................................15
Insight icon display....................................................................................................................15
DMX –RECEIVE - DECIMAL Menu.................................................................................................16
DMX –RECEIVE - SINGLE Menu ....................................................................................................16
DMX –RECEIVE –16-BIT Menu.....................................................................................................17
DMX –RECEIVE - FLICKER Menu...................................................................................................17
DMX –RECEIVE - STATS Menu......................................................................................................19
DMX - RDM Menu.............................................................................................................................20
DMX –RDM –DISCOVER Menu....................................................................................................20
DMX –RDM - PATCH Menu ..........................................................................................................21
Get the start address of the first root device ...........................................................................22
Get the start address of the second root device ......................................................................22
Get the start address of the second device’s second sub-device.............................................22
Set the start address of the first root device............................................................................22
DMX –RDM –AUTO-ADD Menu...................................................................................................23
DMX –RDM - MESSAGE Menu .....................................................................................................23
Get the status messages from the first root device..................................................................24
DMX –RDM –GET+SET Menu ......................................................................................................24
Get the start address of the first root device ...........................................................................25

4
Get the start address of the second root device ......................................................................25
Get the footprint of the second device’s second sub-device ...................................................26
Set the start address of the first root device............................................................................26
Set the names of both devices..................................................................................................26
RDM Feedback ..........................................................................................................................27
DMX –RDM - SENSORS Menu ......................................................................................................29
Get the first sensor from the first root device..........................................................................29
DMX - ADVANCED Menu...................................................................................................................31
DMX –ADVANCED - LOOP Menu..................................................................................................31
DMX –ADVANCED –FIX RX Menu................................................................................................32
DMX –ADVANCED - NETWORK Menu..........................................................................................32
DMX –ADVANCED - BOBULATE Menu .........................................................................................34
DMX - CABLE Menu...........................................................................................................................37
DMX –CABLE - DOUBLE Menu......................................................................................................37
Good cable ................................................................................................................................37
Data cores swapped..................................................................................................................37
Broken ground (screen) ............................................................................................................37
DMX –CABLE - SINGLE Menu........................................................................................................37
Good cable ................................................................................................................................38
Data cores swapped..................................................................................................................38
CALC Menu........................................................................................................................................38
UTILS Menu.......................................................................................................................................39
UTILS - CONFIG Menu ...................................................................................................................39
UTILS - BACKLIGHT Menu..............................................................................................................40
Glossary.............................................................................................................................................41
Channel .....................................................................................................................................41
Slot ............................................................................................................................................41
Data slot....................................................................................................................................41
Footprint ...................................................................................................................................41
Personality ................................................................................................................................41
RDM ..........................................................................................................................................41
Refresh rate...............................................................................................................................41
Get.............................................................................................................................................41
Set .............................................................................................................................................41
ISD .............................................................................................................................................41
Warranty...........................................................................................................................................42

5
Compliance .......................................................................................................................................42
Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE).............................................................................42

6

7
Introduction
Micro-Scope 3c is a battery-powered, hand-held tool for transmitting and receiving DMX512,
commissioning RDM devices and testing cables and DMX512 infrastructure.
If you have purchase the Micro-Scope 3c upgrade kit, please view this video for installation details.
DMX output / RDM Connection
The DMX output / RDM connection is made via the female XLR5 on the right panel.
Pin-out is as follows:
Pin
Function
Pin 1
Signal Common
Pin 2
DMX Transmit Signal-
Pin 3
DMX Transmit Signal+
Pin 4
Scope Trigger Output
Pin 5
Scope Trigger Ground
DMX input
The DMX input connection is made via the male XLR5 on the right panel.
Pin-out is as follows:
Pin
Function
Pin 1
Signal Common
Pin 2
DMX Receive Signal-
Pin 3
DMX Receive Signal+
Pin 4
Pin 5
Power
Micro-Scope 3c can be powered from two sources:
9V PSU
The supplied PSU is used for power and battery charging.
Pin-out is as follows:
Pin
Function
Centre
+9VDC 350mA

8
Skirt
Ground
Battery
Micro-Scope 3c is designed to run on battery power for extended periods using the internal NiCd
battery pack. The power switch is used to switch off Micro-Scope 3c, battery charging will continue if
the power connector is energised.
Start-up
Micro-Scope remembers the last used function on start-up. It also remembers the last scene
number.
When would I use this?
Apart from the feature simply being a time saver, it was the following interesting applications:
1. If you need a DMX transmitter that will always send the same data (for testing or a quick
demo) use DMX-TRANSMIT-SCENE.
2. If you have a DMX compatibility issue, select DMX-ADVANCED-FIX and leave the Micro-
Scope in-situ for the show. NB. Disable the standby timer and ensure it is connected to the
charge.
Menu Navigation
Menu navigation is intuitive and will be familiar to users of other Artistic Licence products. At a given
time, the product is either in menu-mode or run-mode. The MENU key switches between these
modes. The figure below shows the top menu. The UP and DOWN keys scroll the menu up and
down. The <and >icons indicate that the LEFT and RIGHT keys can be used to navigate through the
menu. The [icon indicates that there is no LEFT function: i.e., you are at the top menu.
As shown in the figure below, the Kicon indicates the option to run the selected function. In this
example, the TRANSMIT -> CHANNEL function. To do so, press TOGGLE.
TOP |[DMX512 >
MENU | CALC
TX |<CHANNEL K
MENU | RANGE

9
Top Menu
The top menu provides access to numerous operational and configuration menus.
Keys operate as follows:
LEFT Navigates to higher level menu if it is available.
RIGHT Navigates to sub-menu if it is available.
UP and DOWN Select entry from the current menu.
TOGGLE Access the menu function if the Kis displayed, otherwise it behaves as if RIGHT is
pressed.
DMX512 Menu
The DMX512 menu categorises all the available DMX512 and RDM functions as listed below. Use the
RIGHT key to access the relevant sub-menus.
The DMX sub-menus are:
TRANSMIT Transmit test patterns of DMX to dimmers or fixtures.
RECEIVE Receive and view DMX levels plus analyse timing.
RDM Discover, configure and monitor RDM devices.
ADVANCED Test the DMX network, fix bad DMX and access our unique discombobulator.
CABLE Test connectivity of the three DMX conductors.
DMX - TRANSMIT Menu
The DMX-TRANSMIT menu provides five options. Use UP and DOWN to navigate and then press
TOGGLE.
The sub-menus are:
CHANNEL Transmit a single channel at a level.
RANGE Transmit a range of channels at a level or changing levels.
TOP |[DMX512 >
MENU | CALC
DMX |[TRANSMIT>
MENU | RECEIVE
TX |<CHANNEL K
MENU | RANGE

10
SCENE Playback one of forty recorded scenes.
SNAPSHOT Snapshot (record from received DMX) into any of the forty scenes.
FIXTURE Transmit DMX to control intelligent fixtures based on a personality library.
CONFIG Setup numerous timing parameters for transmitted DMX.
DMX - TRANSMIT - CHANNEL Menu
This menu allows transmission of a single channel (aka data slot) of DMX at any level.
Keys operate as follows:
LEFT and RIGHT Navigate through the option fields. In the product, option fields are shown in
UPPER CASE. In this guide, option fields are highlighted in red.
UP and DOWN Select the required value within an option field.
TOGGLE Toggle the level of the selected channel.
When would I use this?
This is the classic ‘rig check’ mode that allows you to cycle through all the channels checking the
lighting rig lamp by lamp.
DMX - TRANSMIT - RANGE Menu
This menu allows transmission of a range of channels.
Keys operate as follows:
LEFT and RIGHT Navigate through the option fields. In the product, option fields are shown in
UPPER CASE. In this guide, option fields are highlighted in red.
UP and DOWN Select the required value within an option field.
TOGGLE Toggle the level of the selected channel.
The operating functions are:
MAN DMX transmitted to the range of channels at the selected level.
SNAP Snap between on and off every second.
FADE Slowly fades to full then back to zero.
RAMP Slowly fades to full and rolls over to zero.
TX Channel: 001
@ level 255/255
Tx Range 001-512
@ 255/255 WALK

11
ALT Odd channels fade up while even channels fade down.
WALK Each channel in the range is illuminated in sequence.
RGB Each group of three channels in the selected range is treated as RGB and cycled though
primary and then secondary colour mixes.
RGBW Each group of four channels in the selected range is treated as RGBW and cycled through
primary and then secondary colour mixes.
To change the operating function select the Func field and use the UP and DOWN keys.
When would I use this?
If you need to go to the stage or outside a building to check lamps, this menu allows an
automatically changing test pattern to be transmitted. Hint: Check the Standby Timer to ensure
Micro-Scope 3c does not power down when you are away!
DMX –TRANSMIT - SCENE Menu
The DMX-TRANSMIT-SCENE menu is used to playback and edit any of the forty scenes. The scenes
are saved in flash memory and so will be available between power cycles and even when batteries
are removed.
Keys operate as follows:
LEFT and RIGHT Navigate through the option fields. In the product, option fields are shown in
UPPER CASE. In this guide, option fields are highlighted in red.
UP and DOWN Select the required value within an option field.
TOGGLE Toggle the level of the selected channel.
The fields are:
Scene Select one of the forty scenes. Each scene contains a full 512 channel set of levels.
Chan The channel to be edited.
At Level of the selected channel to be set. TOGGLE is used to toggle the selected level.
When would I use this?
As each scene holds individual levels for every channel, scenes are a great way to setup show
specific test panels for lamp checking.
Additionally, Micro-Scope remembers the last menu and last scene when power cycled, so this is
useful when you always want the same DMX output at boot.
Tx Scene: 39
Ch 001 @255/255

12
DMX –TRANSMIT - SNAPSHOT Menu
The DMX-TRANSMIT-SNAPSHOT menu is used to snapshot (record) received DMX into one of the
forty scenes. The scenes are saved in flash memory and so will be available between power cycles
and even when batteries are removed.
Keys operate as follows:
LEFT and RIGHT Select the desired scene.
UP and DOWN Select the desired scene.
TOGGLE Record the snapshot. The snapshot process takes approximately 2 seconds and
the backlight will blink to indicate that it has completed.
When would I use this?
If you have some useful test patterns setup on the lighting console, use this menu to transfer then to
Micro-Scope 3c.
DMX –TRANSMIT - CONFIG Menu
The DMX-TRANSMIT-CONFIG menu is used to set numerous DMX transmit parameters. This menu
should be used with caution as it intentionally allows the user to set parameters which result in
illegal DMX transmission. For this reason, the parameters are not saved across a power cycle. The
values set in this menu will be used for DMX-TRANSMIT-CHANNEL, DMX-TRANSMIT-RANGE and
DMX-TRANSMIT-SCENE.
Keys operate as follows:
LEFT and RIGHT Navigate through the option fields.
UP and DOWN Select the required value within an option field.
TOGGLE Not used.
The parameters are:
Parameter
Description
Default
Value
Min
Max
Legal
Min
Legal
Max
Start Code
The Start Code defines the meaning
of the data in the DMX packet. The
value zero means ‘simple lighting
channel’ data.
0
0
255
0
255
Data Slots
The number of Data Slots is also
called number of channels. It is the
512
0
512
24*1
512
Snapshot receive
Scene: 39 Toggle
Tx Config
Start Code 000

13
Parameter
Description
Default
Value
Min
Max
Legal
Min
Legal
Max
number of bytes in addition to the
Start Code that are contained in the
DMX packet.
Break
The Break is the synchronization that
indicates the start of DMX packet.
200us
40us
20ms
92us*2
1s*3
MaB
The MaB or Mark after Break is the
idle period between the end of Break
and the Start Code.
20us
8us
20ms
12us*4
1s*3
ISD
The ISD is the inter-slot delay. This is
the idle time between the slots in the
DMX packet.
8us
0us
20ms
0us
1s*3
MbB
The MbB or Mark before Break is the
idle period between the end of the
last data slot and the next packet’s
Break.
20us
0us
20ms
0us
1s*3
*1This is a simplification that provides a good rule of thumb. In fact, any number of data slots below 24 can
be used, subject to Packet Time >=1204us.
*2In the earlier DMX512(1990) standard the minimum was 88us.
*3The 1s maximum is actually for the entire packet.
*4In the earlier DMX512(1990) standard the minimum was 8us.
When would I use this?
These parameters are used when testing a DMX receiver that is suspected to be incompatible. If a
receiver is suspected of being incapable of receiving fast DMX, set all the timing parameters to their
lowest value in order to produce very fast DMX.
If a DMX receiver is suspected of flickering on RDM (Remote Device Management), try setting the
Start Code to a non-zero value (204 is the RDM start code) and then use TRANSMIT-CHANNEL. The
receiver should not respond to the data.

14
DMX - RECEIVE Menu
The DMX-RECEIVE menu provides eight options. Use UP and DOWN to navigate and then press
TOGGLE.
The sub-menus are:
STATUS Set receive Start-Code and view receive status.
GRAPH Display a bargraph of the levels of up to 30 consecutive channels.
DECIMAL Display the decimal levels of up to 6 consecutive channels.
COLOUR Display a high-resolution bargraph of two consecutive channels while modulating the
backlight with a red / green colour mix.
SINGLE Display a decimal, hexadecimal and a high-resolution bargraph of a single channel.
16-BIT Display a decimal, hexadecimal and a high-resolution bargraph of two consecutive
channels expressed as 16-bit (Big-Endian).
FLICKER Display the decimal level of a single channel along with the maximum and minimum
levels detected.
STATS Display statistics and detailed timing for received DMX.
DMX –RECEIVE - STATUS Menu
The DMX-RECEIVE-STATUS menu is used to display to total number of received DMX packets and
compare to the number of packets received with a specific start code.
Keys operate as follows:
LEFT and RIGHT Select the desired start code.
UP and DOWN Select the desired start code.
TOGGLE Resets counters to zero and cycle through three commonly used start codes:
•Standard lighting data (0).
•RDM (204).
•Test packets (85).
RX |<STATUS K
MENU | RECEIVE
RDMX SC:000
Pck: 0/0

15
The top line provides an icon display that provides insight into the types of data being received:
Zero start code DMX is being received.
RDM (Remote Device Management) is being received.
Zero start code DMX and RDM is being received.
Non-Zero start code DMX is being received.
DMX with errors is being received.
When would I use this?
When unsure of exactly what start codes the lighting console is sending, this is how you check.
DMX –RECEIVE - GRAPH Menu
The DMX-RECEIVE-GRAPH menu is used to display a bargraph of the levels of up to 24 consecutive
channels.
Keys operate as follows:
LEFT and RIGHT Select the required start address for the received DMX display. The display will
change to show the first and last channel displayed.
UP and DOWN Select the required start address for the received DMX display. The display will
change to show the first and last channel displayed.
TOGGLE Cycles through the GRAPH, DECIMAL, SINGLE, 16-BIT receive menus.
Insight icon display
The bottom left 4 characters provide an icon display that provides insight into the types of data
being received:
Zero start code DMX is being received.
RDM (Remote Device Management) is being received.
001 ƑƑƊƌƑƑƑƑƑƌƏƊ
W ƊƌƑƑƑƑƑƌƏƊƑƑ
DMX
RDM
RDMX
NSC
ERR
W
R

16
Zero start code DMX and RDM is being received.
Non-Zero start code DMX is being received.
DMX with errors is being received.
The display shows a low-resolution bargraph of the levels of 24 consecutive channels from the
received DMX of the start code defined in DMX-RECEIVE-STATUS.
When would I use this?
If you need to see the big picture rather than exact detail on channels levels. Also good for checking
whether a lamp personality is operating as expected.
DMX –RECEIVE - DECIMAL Menu
The DMX-RECEIVE-DECIMAL menu is used to display decimal levels of up to 6 consecutive channels.
Keys operate as follows:
LEFT and RIGHT Select the required start address for the received DMX display. The display will
change to show the first and last channel displayed.
UP and DOWN Select the required start address for the received DMX display. The display will
change to show the first and last channel displayed.
TOGGLE Cycles through the GRAPH, DECIMAL, SINGLE, 16-BIT receive menus.
The left of screen shows the DMX address, along with the Insight icon display.
The right of screen shows decimal (0-255) levels of 6 consecutive channels from the received DMX of
the start code defined in DMX-RECEIVE-STATUS.
DMX –RECEIVE - SINGLE Menu
The DMX-RECEIVE-SINGLE menu is used to display hexadecimal, decimal and a high-resolution
bargraph of a single channel.
Keys operate as follows:
001 1 2 3d
W 4 5 6
001 000 0x00
W ƼƼƼƼƼƼƼƼƼƿ
WR
N
E

17
LEFT and RIGHT Select the required start address for the received DMX display. The display will
change to show the first and last channel displayed.
UP and DOWN Select the required start address for the received DMX display. The display will
change to show the first and last channel displayed.
TOGGLE Cycles through the GRAPH, DECIMAL, SINGLE, 16-BIT receive menus.
The left of screen shows the DMX address, along with the Insight icon display.
The levels displayed are from the received DMX of the start code defined in DMX-RECEIVE-STATUS.
DMX –RECEIVE –16-BIT Menu
The DMX-RECEIVE-16-BIT menu is used to display the hexadecimal and decimal of two consecutive
channels interpreted as 16-bit data. The first channel is the most significant byte (big-endian). The
example below shows the display when receiving channel 1 at full and channel 2 at zero.
Keys operate as follows:
LEFT and RIGHT Select the required start address for the received DMX display. The display will
change to show the first and last channel displayed.
UP and DOWN Select the required start address for the received DMX display. The display will
change to show the first and last channel displayed.
TOGGLE Cycles through the GRAPH, DECIMAL, SINGLE, 16-BIT receive menus.
The left of screen shows the DMX address, along with the Insight icon display.
The levels displayed are from the received DMX of the start code defined in DMX-RECEIVE-STATUS.
When would I use this?
This display is particularly useful for interpreting high resolution data for moving lamps such as pan
and tilt parameters.
DMX –RECEIVE - FLICKER Menu
The DMX-RECEIVE-FLICKER menu is used to display the decimal level of a single channel along with
the maximum and minimum levels detected.
Keys operate as follows:
LEFT and RIGHT Select the required start address for the received DMX display. The display will
change to show the first and last channel displayed.
001 Dec 65280
W Hex 0xff00
001 Now: 000
W 000 - 000

18
UP and DOWN Select the required start address for the received DMX display. The display will
change to show the first and last channel displayed.
TOGGLE Reset the minimum and maximum data (ellipsis will be displayed in each field).
In the example below, the min and max fields have been reset and no flicker has been detected. The
current received level is 255:
In the example below, the level has changed to 253 and so the min –max range is now 253 –255.
The current received level is 253:
In the example below, the current received level is 253, but the min –max range is now 000-255
showing that flicker has been captured:
The left of screen shows the DMX address, along with the Insight icon display.
The levels displayed are from the received DMX of the start code defined in DMX-RECEIVE-STATUS.
When would I use this?
Flickering can be caused by many conditions, but the first step is always to check whether the
lighting console is actually outputting changing data on the channels that flickers. This function
allows any channel flicker to be captured.
001 Now: 255
W ... - ...
001 Now: 253
W 253 - 255
001 Now: 253
W 000 - 255

19
DMX –RECEIVE - STATS Menu
The DMX-RECEIVE-STATS menu is used to display numerous DMX receive parameters. The
parameters displayed relate only to received DMX with start code defined in DMX-RECEIVE-STATUS.
Keys operate as follows:
LEFT and RIGHT Not used.
UP and DOWN Select the required parameter.
TOGGLE Clears previously captured data.
The parameters are:
Parameter
Description
Legal
Min
Legal
Max
Refresh
The Refresh Rate is expressed in Hz and represents the
number of DMX frames per second.
1Hz
44Hz*1
Period
The time between two consecutive DMX packets (of
the same start code).
1196us*2
1s
Data Slots
The number of Data Slots is also called number of
channels. It is the number of bytes in addition to the
Start Code that are contained in the DMX packet.
0
512
Break
The Break is the synchronization that indicates the
start of DMX packet.
88us
1s*3
MaB
The MaB or Mark after Break is the idle period
between the end of Break and the Start Code.
8us
1s*3
ISD
The ISD is the inter-slot delay. This is the idle time
between the slots in the DMX packet.
0us
1s*3
MbB
The MbB or Mark before Break is the idle period
between the end of the last data slot and the next
packet’s Break.
0us
1s*3
*1This is the maximum refresh rate for packets containing a full 512 data slot payload.
*2This is allowed, but rarely seen. It can only be achieved with a packet containing 24 or less data slots.
*3The 1s maximum is actually for the entire packet.
When would I use this?
If a DMX transmitter is suspected of sending bad timing, this function allows you to capture and
analyse that timing.
Refresh Hz :44
Lo: 43 Hi: 44

20
DMX - RDM Menu
The DMX-RDM menu provides six options. Use UP and DOWN to navigate and then press TOGGLE.
RDM is an abbreviation for Remote Device Management. It is the bi-directional protocol that works
through DMX to allow the reading and writing of parameters (called get and set) along with reading
sensors and other device status.
The sub-menus are:
DISCOVER Searches the DMX network for RDM devices and enumerates them ready for
configuration.
PATCH Quickly set the start address and personality of an RDM device or sub-device.
AUTO-ADD Automatically address all RDM devices.
MESSAGES Read status messages.
GET+SET Get & Set all RDM parameters.
SENSORS Read all device sensors.
DMX –RDM –DISCOVER Menu
RDM devices must be discovered before they can be controlled. This function is used to discover and
enumerate all the connected RDM devices.
Keys operate as follows:
LEFT and RIGHT Not used.
UP and DOWN Select the required action.
TOGGLE Start discovery. Discovery can take a few seconds and will be longer when more
devices are connected.
Available actions are:
ADD ALL Discards the previous list of discovered devices and executes a full discovery.
ADD NEW Searches for devices that have been recently connected.
REMOVE ALL Discards the list of discovered devices.
Press TOGGLE to start the process. During the discovery process the bottom line of the display
counts the number of devices discovered.
RDM |<DISCOVERK
MENU | PATCH
DISC: ADD ALL
Toggle = Go