Contemporary Research LA-B18 User manual

LA-B18 Light Alert
Product Manual
972.931.2728 | 888.972.2728 | www.contemporaryresearch.com

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Contents
Overview .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Connecting the LA-B18 ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Setup .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Rear Circuit Board Connections .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Setup Notes ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6
P1 Logic Input Port ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Web Pages ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8
RS-232/Telnet/UDP Control Protocol ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Control Commands ........................................................................................................................................................... 11
LA Toolbox Software ......................................................................................................................................................... 12
LA-B18 Specifications ........................................................................................................................................................ 13
Safety Instructions and Warranty ......................................................................................................................................... 14

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Overview
The LA-B18 is a low voltage remote controllable optical signaling device. The 18 x 5/8 inch RGB LED optical element with programable color
and intensity. The color and intensity settings may be stored as a preset. The presets can be recalled by Telnet or RS-232 serial command or
by contact closure. A loop of two or more presets may be created with a programmable on time for each preset.
The unit is ideal for any location where visual signaling is desired. This can include health care facilities, first responder facilities, education
facilities, or high noise environments such as industrial, manufacturing, or production facilities.
Programming may be accomplished via Telnet or RS-232 serial command or using on-board DIP switches.
Features
 18 x 5/8 inch RGB LED element
 Red, Green, and Blue individually adjustable with 100 steps of intensity
 Flashing mode
 9 user defined color presets stored in non-volatile memory
 Fully remote controllable via RS-232, Telnet, or contact closure
 Integrated Electronics
 Logic inputs may be interfaced with alarm system or emergency management system
 May be mounted at any orientation
 Surface mountable or mounts to standard 2-gang electrical enclosure
 Full ASCII 2-way RS-232/Telnet commands
 Powered via PoE or optional external 12 VDC 1 A power supply

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Connecting the LA-B18
Power
Power may be provided to the LA-B18 by PoE via the Ethernet connector.
For applications where an Ethernet connection is not desired, the unit can be powered from the optional PS12-1.0 external power supply.
The output of the power supply will connect to the coaxial power connector marked ‘12V’ on the left side of the circuit board.
Setup and Control
The color and intensity of the LA-B18 can be customized and stored as a preset. The unit supports nine presets plus off. The color settings
can be set and stored by the following listed below.
 On-board web browser
 RS-232 commands via the 3.5 mm TRS serial port or Telnet
 Rear DIP Switches
The presets can be recalled by the following listed below.
 On-board web browser
 RS-232 commands via the 3.5 mm TRS serial port or Telnet
 Rear DIP Switches
 Contact closure logic input port
Setup
IP Address
The IP mode of the LA-B18 is set to DHCP by default. The current IP address may be found using the LA Toolbox software for Windows or any
readily available IP scanner software.
The IP mode and IP settings may be changed and edited by the following.
 On-board web browser
 RS-232 commands via the 3.5 mm TRS serial port or Telnet
 Rear panel DIP Switches
Web Pages
On board web pages are available configuration and control. Connect the Ethernet port of the LA-B18 to a PC or other compatible device
with a web browser. A crossover cable is not required. Open a web browser and enter the IP address of the LA-B18 into the address bar to
access the web pages.
RS-232
The LA-B18 may be controlled and configured using RS-232 ASCII strings from a terminal program or control system processer. Connection to
the unit for RS-232 communication can be through the 3.5 mm TRS connector on the rear panel, Telnet, or UDP port 31931. The default baud
rate is 115,200.
Rear DIP Switches
The two banks of DIP switches on the rear facing circuit board are used to set the device number of the LA-B18 during normal operation. In
program mode, the DIP switches may be used for configuration of the IP settings, color settings, and other functions.
Logic Input Port
The logic input port has three input pins plus 12 V and ground pins. The input pins may be used to remotely recall presets from a switch or
contact closure of a control system processor. The logic input port is labeled P1 on the circuit board.

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Rear Circuit Board Connections
12 VDC Power Input
2.1 mm coaxial jack (inside center conductor positive), 11 to 14 VDC, 12 VDC typical, 0.6 A maximum. May be used in lieu of PoE.
RS-232
3.5 mm TRS jack RS-232 data link for control, configuration, and firmware updates. Baud rate 1200 to 230.4K.
 Tip – Data Receive
 Ring – Data Transmit
 Sleeve - Common
Ethernet
RJ-45 jack, 10/100Mbps Ethernet for control, web page access, configuration, and firmware updates. PoE supported.
P1 Logic Input Port
P1 Logic Input control port 5-pin captive screw terminal, for preset recall using contact closure. Labeled P1 on the circuit board.
 1 – Ground
 2 – Input 1
 3 – Input 2
 4 – Input 3
 5 – 12 VDC output

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S2
Program switch.
S3
Boot switch.
SW2
DIP switch bank 2.
SW1
DIP switch bank 1.
USB
USB mini-B jack virtual com port for control or firmware updates.
Setup Notes
Output
The levels for the red, green, and blue LED elements are individually adjustable in steps of 0 to 100. The levels can be adjusted in the Settings
web page, RS-232 or Telnet command, or by using the rear DIP switches.
Presets
Color settings can be stored as a preset. Up to 9 presets may be stored in memory.
A preset consists of the values for red, green, and blue, plus values for Time On and Next Preset. For a static preset, the value for Time On
must be set to 0. If the Time On parameter is set to 0, then the Next Preset parameter is not used.
Presets can be stored using the Settings web page, RS-232 or Telnet commands or rear DIP switches. Presets can be recalled using the Main
or Settings web page, RS-232 or Telnet commands, or contact closure.
Looped Presets
A continuous loop of two or more presets can be created. The additional parameters required are Time On and Next Preset.
The Time On parameter sets the length of time an individual preset is on before transitioning to the next preset. The values for Time On
range from 0 to 240. Each increment equals 1/10th of a second. If the Time On is set to 0, that preset will remain active until another preset
is selected.
The Next Preset parameter specifies the next preset to be transitioned to after the Time On time of the current preset has been reached.
Below is an example of looped presets flashing red and blue.
Preset
Red Level
Green Level
Blue Level
Time On
Next Preset
1 50 0 0 5 2
2 0 0 50 5 1
The sequence of looped presets may be initiated by recalling any preset that is part of the loop. The sequence may be stopped by selecting
Preset 0 or any preset that is not part of the sequence.

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Network Addressing
The IP mode of the LA-B18 is DHCP by default. The current IP address may be found using the LA Toolbox software for Windows.
The IP mode may be set to static operation. The IP settings may be set manually in the Settings web page, by RS-232 command, or by using
the rear panel DIP switches.
Restore Factory Default Settings
The unit may have the configuration restored to the factory default settings. It is recommended to perform a hard power cycle after the
factory default settings are restored. Some settings may not revert to the default until after a hard power cycle.
The factory default settings may be restored with the Restore button on the Settings web page, by RS-232 command, or by using the rear
pane DIP switches.
P1 Logic Input Port
The P1 Logic Input may be used to recall presets from contact closures or control ports on a control system processor. Shorting a pin to
ground equals a logic high. An open circuit equals a logic low. The action of the input may be momentary or latching.
The input has three active modes of operation. The mode of operation may be set in the Settings web page or by using the rear panel DIP
switches.
Mode 0 – Not Used
The Logic Input is not used.
Mode 1 – Trigger Mode
This mode allows for simple recall of presets 0-3.
Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3
Low Low Low Preset 0 (off)
High Low Low Preset 1
Low High Low Preset 2
Low Low High Preset 3
Mode 2 – Static
This mode allows for recall of presets 0-7.
Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3
Low Low Low Preset 0 (off)
High Low Low Preset 1
Low High Low Preset 2
High High Low Preset 3
Low Low High Preset 4
High Low High Preset 5
Low High High Preset 6
High High High Preset 7
Mode 3 – Static +1
This mode allows for recall of presets 1-8.
Pin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3
Low Low Low Preset 1
High Low Low Preset 2
Low High Low Preset 3
High High Low Preset 4
Low Low High Preset 5
High Low High Preset 6
Low High High Preset 7
High High High Preset 8

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Web Pages
The LA-B18 has on-board web pages for control, monitoring, and configuration. The web pages may be accessed using a web browser by
entering the unit’s IP address in the browser’s address field. The web pages may also be accessed through LA Toolbox. Double-clicking on a
unit in the equipment list will launch the default web browser and navigate to the Main web page.
The on-board web pages are accessible to all users. By default, a password is required to recall a preset or make any programming or
configuration changes.
A mode is available that allows a user to recall presets without entering a password. This mode is selectable from the Settings web page.
Default Password
The default password is based on the last six digits of the unit’s MAC address. The MAC address may be found on the SN/MAC sticker on the
rear of the unit. The password field is in the System section of the Main web page. Enter the last six digits of the MAC address in the
password field, then click the Log In button. The digits should be entered with no punctuation or spaces. Letters should be entered as upper
case. i.e.: 200A2D.
Update Password
The password can be updated in the Settings web page. Enter the new password in the New Password field and click the Change button.
The password may consist of up to 20 characters. The characters can be any combination of numbers, upper- and lower-case letters, and
special characters.

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Allow Free Access to Main Web Page Only
An option is available that will allow password free access to the Main web page allowing users to change presets and check status. Changes
to the Settings web page related to setup and configuration will not be allowed unless the password is entered. To enable this option, log in
and navigate to the Settings web page. Click the checkbox next to Preset Ctl while logged out.
Clear Password
Clearing the password will allow password free access to any of the LA-B18’s web pages permit control and configuration changes.
The password may be cleared in the System web page. Clear the contents of the New Password field and click the Change button.
The password may also be cleared using the rear panel DIP switches. Follow the steps below to clear the password.
 Make note of the SW2 DIP switch settings.
 Set DIP switch 8 in DIP switch bank SW2 to the PROG position (on).
 Set DIP switches 1,2, and 4 in DIP switch bank SW2 to the on position.
 Press switch Program S2.
 Return the SW2 DIP switch settings to the previous state.

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RS-232/Telnet/UDP Control Protocol
The LA-B18 full duplex RS-232/Telnet protocol enables a system programmer to control all functions as well as monitor status. All commands
are sent as ASCII strings. No delays between characters or commands are required, as data is interrupt driven and buffered.
Communications parameters are 1200 to 230,400 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. Factory default is 115,200 baud. The RS-232
port will accept non-standard control such as voltage that swings from 0 to +5 VDC, commonly found when IR ports are used to send RS-232
commands.
The same control communication is possible via IP Telnet (up to two sessions) and via UDP to the decoder’s IP address to port 31931 (fixed)
with status feedback to port 31932. Status feedback to port 31932 is disabled by default, send “>UO” command (UF turns UDP status
feedback off) or set with front-panel menu. The default Telnet port is 23.
General Protocol Specifications
Command strings sent to the LA-B18 begin with the ASCII > (greater than symbol) as an ‘Attention’ character and end with a carriage return
(ASCII CR, Hex $0D, or keyboard Enter) as an ‘End of command’ character.
Responses from the LA-B18 begin with the ASCII < (less than symbol) as an ‘Attention’ character and end with a carriage return followed by a
line feed (ASCII LF, Hex $0A) as an ‘End of command’ character.
A carriage return is required at the end of each command and is assumed in all examples.
Command String Structure
[Attention] [Command] (Parameters) [Return]
Attention Single character (>) starts the string
Command A two-character command
Parameters Added attributes to some commands
Return A carriage return ends the command string (ASCII CR, Hex $0D, or keyboard Enter) may be used in programming. For
simplicity, the programming examples in the manual will not show the ‘CR’.
Command and Status Response
Commands can be sent back-to-back at any time without any delay. To allow for rapid, multiple commands, status responses are
intentionally delayed by about 125mS, sending the most recent status in response to control commands or user actions.
String Example
The example below is a command to recall Preset 6 followed by the response string.
>P6
<P6
The status of a setting may be queried by omitting the = (equals symbol).
>IY
<IY DHCP