Astera ARC2 User manual

USER MANUAL .
Radio Frequency
Remote Control
(ARC2)
Manual Version: 3.3.18
Release Date:
April. 25
th
2011
Astera LED Technology GmbH
Address : Nahestrasse 68-70, 55593 Rüdesheim an der Nahe, Germany Tel.: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

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1 Table of Contents
1 Table of Contents ................................................................................................... 2
2. Safety .................................................................................................................... 3
3. Getting Started ...................................................................................................... 4
a. Overview ............................................................................................................... 4
b. LCD Display ............................................................................................................... 4
c. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 5
d. Navigation ................................................................................................................... 5
e. Power Button............................................................................................................... 5
f. Micro SD card ............................................................................................................. 6
g. Batteries ...................................................................................................................... 6
4. Direct Control Tab .................................................................................................. 7
a. Direct Control ............................................................................................................. 7
b. Programed Effects ....................................................................................................... 7
c. Colors.......................................................................................................................... 7
d. Adjustments ................................................................................................................ 8
5. Preset Programs (MEMORY 1-4) .............................................................................. 9
a. Editor .......................................................................................................................... 9
b. Advanced Adjustments .............................................................................................. 10
c. Saving Customized Programs .................................................................................... 10
d. Additional Editing and Saving Functions ................................................................... 10
e. Tap-sync .................................................................................................................... 11
6. Targeting Lamps .................................................................................................... 12
7. Setup .................................................................................................................... 13
8. Technical Data ....................................................................................................... 16
9. Troubleshooting .................................................................................................... 17
10. Appendix .............................................................................................................. 18
Appendix 1: Color Index .................................................................................................. 18
Appendix 2: Customizable Programs ................................................................................ 19
Appendix 3: Color Chaser for Random Modes ................................................................. 20
Appendix 4: DMX table for Effect Mode ........................................................................ 21
Appendix 5: Firmware Updating Process.......................................................................... 22
11. Disposal ................................................................................................................ 24

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2. Safety
Before you operate the unit, read this manual carefully.
Make sure to keep the manual, in case you need to consult this manual
again or you give the unit to another person.
Always make sure to include this manual if you hand out the unit to anoth-
er person.
Do not operate the unit in areas where the usage of radio frequency or
mobile phones is prohibited, like for example in airplanes, or when it may
cause interference or danger.
Only qualified personnel may repair this product.
Don't open the case.
This device conforms to CE -or- FCC regulations, see type label!
It radiates in the 868 MHz or 915 Mhz bands.
Always make sure, that your national regulations allow the use of this de-
vice!
Only insert Alkaline batteries, rechargeable batteries do not have enough
voltage to power the ARC2 remote control.
Keep batteries away from children. In case of a choking hazard go to the
doctor immediately.
Make sure contacts are clean before you insert batteries.
Watch the polarity.
Don't try to recharge batteries.
MAKE SURE TO FULLY CHARGE ALL BATTERY-
POWERED ASTERA LAMPS
WHEN STORING THEM.
PARTIALLY CHARGED BATTERIES WILL LOOSE CAPACITY

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3. Getting Started
a. Overview
Antenna
Display user colors
Navigate through menu,
adjust values LCD display
back one level, Save / Send values
in top level: adjust bpm
Adjust fade time Adjust brightness
Adjust speed Choose program
Choose user colors
Switch LEDs on/off
Update all devices in selected
groups with current settings
Home button:
Return to top level Target a lamp by its group, set etc
b. LCD Display
Definition of symbols:
(1) - Receiving
(3) - Transmitting
(4) - Inside Editor mode
(5) - Synchronization between units is active
(8) - Battery status

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c. Introduction
Astera ARC2 radio frequency remote control is being used to control Astera's wireless lamps, wireless
controllers and wireless DMX transmitters. The system offers several sets of predefined effects and
predefined programs that can be quickly launched.
For advanced applications the programs can be customized over the Editor (see Chapter 5.a). The re-
playing colors can be defined to fit a theme or corporate identity. These colors can be used in pro-
grams which can be adjusted on speed, brightness and fading effects.
It is also possible, to address, group and synchronize several units and to stretch programs over sev-
eral lamps. For example the RAINBOW effect can be stretched over two or more units displaying the
full rainbow spectrum at the same time.
d. Navigation
Navigation through the system is done with the top 4 buttons of the remote control. Enter confirms a
value, + and – button choose a value and Back moves up 1 level in the navigation.
The top level of the navigation contains direct control, the 3 sets of pre-defined memory programs
(MEMORY 1 – MEMORY 3) as well as an area to store own programs (MEMORY 4) and the SETUP. The
+ and – buttons are used to navigate between them and Enter offers deeper editing of the MEMORY
programs and the setup.
From any point in the navigation, the home button can be pressed to return to the
top level of the navigation. This is especially useful when an inexperienced user gets
lost in advanced settings and is afraid he will alter important settings.
e. Power Button
Power Mode: LIGHT ON: Returns from BLACKOUT to normal operation.
Power Mode: BLACKOUT: Switches all targeted lamps off and keeps them in standby,
causing only minimal battery drainage. In blackout mode,
fixtures can be stored several months

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f. Micro SD card
For special functions like saving programs and firmware update a micro SD card can be inserted into
the ARC2. For detailed instructions about how to do a factory reset, refer to Appendix 5.
g. Batteries
In many countries, the ARC2 ships without batteries due to safety regulations. If this is the case for
you, please buy 2 Alkaline AA batteries and insert them in the correct positioning with + and – posi-
tioned correctly. Do not use rechargeable batteries as they do not work stable.
When closing the battery compartment push each corner until the compartment cover sits in the
right position. Then close the slider to fix the battery compartment in a closed position.

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4. Direct Control Tab
a. Direct Control
To change the displayed colors and effects, the ARC2 offers a straightforward interface called direct
control tab. While in this tab, the white buttons can be pressed to quickly change values of colors,
effects, fade, speed and brightness.
To reach the direct control tab, simply press the home button.
b. Programed Effects
There are 20 customizable effects that can be selected when in the direct control tab. These effects
use up to 4 colors to display static or moving structures. These structures are formed out of several
pixels and can stretch over several lamps as well. A list of the 20 programs can be found in Appendix
2.
To change a programmed effect, press the Prog button and use the + and – buttons to choose
an effect. This only works while in the direct control tab.
Note: It is also possible to let the random chaser choose colors for the programs. To use this
feature, see Chapter Appendix 10.3. Every time the Programs setting is changed, random col-
or chaser will be switched off!
Note: programs are best displayed on a multi-pixel lightsource (e.g. the AL6 series) or
stretched over a group of lamps. If used with a one-pixel lightsource (e.g. AL3-M) only one
color will be shown at a time.
c. Colors
You can customize the pre-defined programs with up to 4 colors (C1-C4). All predefined programs,
except RAINBOW take the displayed colors from a four color palette. This palette can be defined by
selecting the colors C1, C2, C3 and C4 and is shown at the top of the remote control when editing the
colors. For example, if PROGRAM is set to SIMPLE RUNNING, background color will be C1, and the
color of the running pixel will be C2.
There are 3 kinds of colors available for that:
Standard Colors: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, magenta, pink, white warm,
color warm, black can be quickly chosen
Index Colors: 256 standard index colors can be chosen when selecting INDEX
COLORS. The colors are listed in Appendix B
User Colors: If this is not enough choose USER COLORS. Here, you can mix colors
out of the 3 color channels (red, blue, green)

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To change colors, click any of the C1 – C4 buttons to change their color. This only works while
in the direct control tab.
Note: Not all programs use all 4 colors (C1-C4). For example the program called TWO COLOR
STATIC uses only 2 colors so half of the pixels will be in C1 and the other half in C2.
d. Adjustments
The programs you have chosen can be further adjusted in fade, speed and brightness.
Simply click fade, speed or the brightness button and use the + and – button to change their
values. This only works while in the direct control tab.
Fade: Sets fading transitions between steps of the program in amount of the step-time. If set to
0%, there will be no fading at all, the color will be switched at once. If set to 100%, the
color change will go smoothly from one to the other color. Any value in between will be a
mix of these two settings.
Speed: Changes the speed of the program. A time between 0,09 seconds and 9 minutes and 21
seconds can be set. This time reflects the duration of the selected program.
Note: With the change of speed you might get the units out of sync. In order to
re-sync press the Send key or change the program (Chapter 4.b)
Brightness: You can select the Brightness Intensity or the Power Scheme of the lamp. Both are
strongly affecting the battery runtime of the lamps. Choose INTENSITY to change the brightness of
the LEDs between 0% and 100% in intervals of 10%. Choose Power Scheme to adjust the overall
power scheme of the lamp between HIGH-BRIGHTNESS, NORMAL and MAXIMISE RUNTIME. When
choosing high-brightness, the LEDs are about 30% brighter but the battery will drain faster. In
maximise runtime the LEDs are less bright but the fixture can be used well over 10 hours.
Attention: Battery runtime of all the Astera lamps is stated for the Normal power
scheme. Altering the power scheme will lead to different battery runtime.
Note: New Astera fixtures and ARC2s are set to HIGH BRIGHTNESS. Also, after a factory reset
they will switch back to HIGH BRIGHTNESS.

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5. Preset Programs (MEMORY 1-4)
For quickly changing the mood of a lamp or setup of lamps, the 24 pre-programed MEMORY
programs can be quickly launched and optionally be customized (see Chapter 5. a-c).
To start a MEMORY program, choose one of the pre-programmed MEMORY tabs and click
one of the 8 white buttons
To reach the memory tabs, press the home button and press the + button
In addition to the 3 pre-programmed tabs (MEMORY 1-3) the MEMORY 4 tab provides room for 8
own creations that can be launched with the white buttons when inside this set.
MEMORY 1 decorative: This set is suited for basic events, presentations, background
lighting and a general decorative mood. Also, this is the set
where the home-button leads to.
MEMORY 2 party slow: This set has pre-programed color transitions for dinner parties,
early hours of disco-nights etc.
MEMORY 3 party heavy: This set has fast and strong color effects, strobe-effects and
rapid changes between colors. It is suited for dancing events
and to hightlight special parts of a show.
MEMORY 4 user define: This set is not pre-programed by Astera. Chapter 5.a will discuss how its 8
keys can be programmed with customized colors and effects.
It can be used by event-preparing companies to prepare special programs for
their customers for quickly launching them during events.
a. Editor
The Editor is an advanced function that lets you customize the 3 sets of preset MEMORY programs
(decorative, party slow, party heavy). In addition you can save your own programs onto MEMORY 4
user define if you want to keep the original programs in MEMORY 1-3. The Editor works similar to the
direct control tab and while in the Editor you can use the white buttons to change their values (C1-
C4, Fade, Speed, Brightness, Prog). Have a look at chapter 4. b-d if you don’t know how to use these
functions.
To enter the editor, choose any of the 4 MEMORY sets, press and hold one of the 8 white
buttons for 2 seconds. Alternatively, go to a MEMORY tab, choose any of the white buttons,
and press enter to edit the button's memory.

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b. Advanced Adjustments
If adjusting colors, Program-effect, Speed, Fade and Brightness are not enough, a range of advanced
adjustments can be changed in the Editor.
To change additional adjustments of colors and programs enter the Editor then press the plus
and minus buttons choose the setting you want to change and confirm with Enter.
Stobe Speed: Adjust frequency and confirm with Enter.
Program Direction: Choose between forward (left to right), backward (right to left) and
if you want to run the effect only once or repeat it in a loop.
Program Parameter: Changes parameters depending on the program currently running.
Blower Speed: Changes the power of the blower.
Use Random Colors: When switched to YES it starts the random color chaser which places ran-
dom colors on the 4 user color channels(C1 – C4).
Each time tap-sync is pressed the 4 user colors will change.
Random Mode: Features a range of different chaser modes. Overview in Appendix 3.
Random Fade: Fading time of the random chaser.
c. Saving Customized Programs
At the end of setting Colors, Programs, Adjustments and Advanced Adjustments your ARC2 can save
the chosen setting to one of the 8 white keys.
To save settings select SAVE TO KEY x while inside the Editor. If you have not
finished a selection, press the Back button until you see “Editor active”.
d. Additional Editing and Saving Functions
In order to avoid accidental mistakes when saving a special selection to a particular button and over-
writing existing settings, there are several tools to prevent misusage.
In the top navigation, press the Enter button to Enter the Memory settings
Edit Key: Enter the Editor
Offline Edit: Enter the Editor and edit programs and adjustments offline, without
displaying the changes on the controlled lamps.