FSR FLEX LT-200 Installation guide

32606   LIT1369
FLEXTrainingManual
SystemDesign
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FSR
244 Bergen Blvd.
Woodland Park, NJ 07424

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TableofContents
Introduction ...............................................................................................................................4
FLEXHardware..........................................................................................................................4
FLEXFrontPanel.................................................................................................................................5
FLEXBackPanels ................................................................................................................................6
InstallingtheFLEX....................................................................................................................7
Mounting................................................................................................................................................7
WiringtheFLEX...................................................................................................................................8
Power ..................................................................................................................................................................8
Serialconnections..........................................................................................................................................9
IRConnections .............................................................................................................................................10
GeneralPurposeI/O ..................................................................................................................................10
AnalogInput..................................................................................................................................................11
DesigningaSystem ............................................................................................................... 12
Hardwareconsiderations............................................................................................................. 12
Display .............................................................................................................................................................12
Switchers ........................................................................................................................................................13
Audiocontrol ................................................................................................................................................13
ScreenControl..............................................................................................................................................13
DistanceLimitations ..................................................................................................................................13
IRConsiderations........................................................................................................................................13
SerialConsiderations.................................................................................................................................13
EthernetConsiderations ..........................................................................................................................14
DesigningaSystemUsingFLEX ........................................................................................ 14
Designingthesystem...................................................................................................................... 15
STEPONE:DevicestoControl ...............................................................................................................15
STEPTWO:FunctionstoControl..........................................................................................................16
STEPTHREE:Screens................................................................................................................................17
STEPFOUR:Templates.............................................................................................................................18
SampleTemplates.......................................................................................................................................19
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Introduction
WelcometotheFLEXtrainingprogram.TheFLEX‐LTisaself‐containedcontrol
systemwiththecapabilitiesofamuchmoreexpensivesystemandacostthat
everyonecanafford.TheFLEX‐LTmountsinawallorsitsonadeskandpresents
theuserwithaneasytouseandunderstandcolortouchscreen.Throughthetouch
screen,theusercanchoosewhatsourceisbeingdisplayed,changethevolume,
controlthevarioussources,turnlightsonandoff,raiseorlowertheshadesor
screenandmuchmore.
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TheFLEXconfigurationutilityfeaturesaneasytousemethodtogetthemostoutof
thesystem.Thecontractorispresentedwithaneasytofollow"draganddrop"
programmingmethodology.Thereisnoneedtolearnanotherprogramming
language.
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FLEXHardware
TherearefourmodelsoftheFLEX,theLT–200,LT‐300,LT‐150andtheLT100.
Let’slookatthedifferencesbetweenthefourproducts.
TheFLEXLT–200hardwarefeatures:
3.5”ColorLCDTouchScreen
FourRS‐232serialports
FourIRports
FourdigitalGPIOports
AnalogInput(forfutureuse)
EthernetportwithPoweroverEthernet
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TheFLEXLT–300hardwarefeatures:
NoTouchScreen
FourRS‐232serialports
FourIRports
FourdigitalGPIOports
AnalogInput(forfutureuse)
EthernetportwithPoweroverEthernet

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TheFLEXLT–150hardwarefeatures:
EthernetportwithPoweroverEthernet
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TheFLEXLT–100hardwarefeatures:
3.5”ColorLCDTouchScreen
TwoRS‐232serialports
TwoIRports
FLEXFrontPanel
YoucangainaccesstotheFLEXfrontpanelbyremovingtheplasticbezel.Thefront
panelhastwocommunicationports,RS‐232andminiUSB(forfutureuse).The
communicationportisusedtoloadconfigurationsintotheFLEXpanel.Belowthe
communicationportsisthehardwareresetswitch.TheFLEXpanelalsohasanIR
receiver(forfutureuse).Seethepanelillustrationbelow.
NOTE:TheUSBportandIRReceiverarecurrentlyinoperable.
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RX
GND
TX

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FLEXBackPanels
ThebackpaneloftheFLEXsystemhousestheconnectorsforbothcommunication
andpower.TheEthernetportusesastandardRJ‐45connection.Allother
connectionsuseaplug‐ablescrewterminalstyleconnectorfordevicewiring.The
imagesbelowillustratetheconnectionpanelsfromtheLT100,LT‐200andLT‐300
FLEXsystems.
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InstallingtheFLEX
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Mounting
The FLEX-LT should be installed in a 2-gang enclosure such as a Carlon plastic two-
gang device box. The unit should be positioned so that both the user and installer can
conveniently operate LCD touch plate. This is usually a wall or a desktop. If a desktop
installation is required, use an FSR DSKB-2 desktop console.
Installation of FLEX in a 2 Gang Box

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FLEX Mounted in FSR DSKB-2
Check the recommendations on cable requirements and termination for any external
devices connected to the Flex. Use standard approved wiring practices.
The integrity of all cables should be pretested BEFORE they are connected to the FLEX-
LT. This holds true for the external cabling as well. Simply direct connect the various
sources and displays to pretest the cable runs and equipment. All terminations should
have "ID" cable markers to aid in cabling and troubleshooting.
WiringtheFLEX
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NOTE:ThewiringfortheFLEXLT200andtheLT300areidentical.TheLT300does
nothaveaseparateserialportforloadingprojects.ConnectcableprovidedinFLEX
ProgrammingKittoSERIAL2asillustratedbelowtoloadprojectstoaFLEXLT300.
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Power
TheFLEXcontrolpanelispoweredwitheithera12Vpowersupply(included)or
poweroverEthernet(PoE).
Tousethepowersupplystripbothconductorsback¼”in.andinsertthestriped
wireinthe+receptacleofthepowerconnector.Thepowersupplyhasa9ftcable.
Thepowercablecanbeextendedupto50feetwitha22gauge2‐conductorcable.
TheFLEXsystemalsohasconnectorsfora3VAAAbatterybackup.Anoptional
batteryholderisavailable.Makeallpowerconnectionsasshownbelow.

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TheFLEXcontrolpanelisalsoaClass1POEEthernetdevice.Class1requiresa
rangeofpowerwithaminimumof0.44wattstoamaximumof3.84watts.Besure
thatthepowersuppliedovertheEthernetnetworkadherestothesespecifications.
Serialconnections
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TheFLEXLT–200hasfourserialconnectorsonthebackpanel.Theconnectionsare
madeusingplug‐ablescrewterminalconnectors.Tomaketheconnection,stripthe
wiresasneeded.TheFLEXcontrolpanelhasawiringdiagramontherearpanel.
Wireeachpluggablescrewterminalconnectorasillustratedbelow.Eachpairof
serialconnectionssharethecenterconnectorasgroundwithRXandTXconnected
asillustratedbelow.
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TheFLEXcontrolpanelusesstandardSerialprotocols.ThestandarddistanceforRS
232communicationis50feetusing22ga.three‐conductorcable.FSRrecommends
theuseofWestPenn230seriescommunicationswireorsimilartoensureproper
signaltransmission.
IRConnections
TheFLEXsystemshipswithtwoIRtransmitters.TheFLEXLT‐200systemcan
poweruptofourunitsontheLT200unitsand2ontheLT100.Usingquality22‐
gaugetwo‐conductorwiretheIRtransmitterscanbeplacedupto100feetaway
fromtheFLEXpanel.TransmitterbudsshouldbeplacedinfrontoftheIRreceiving
windowofthedevicetobecontrolled.Eachpluggablescrewterminalconnectorwill
power2IRtransmitters.Eachconnectorhas2inputsforeachofthe(+)wires.The
groundconnectorisshared.
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GeneralPurposeI/O
TheFlexhas4GPIOports.Itisimportanttonotethatthesearedifferentfromdry
contactclosuresanddonothavethesamefunctionality.TheGPIOportscanbe
configuredasInputsorOutputs.AsanInput,avoltageof2.4VDCto24VDCwill
readasa1whileavoltagebelow+1.0VDCwillreadasa0.WheninterfacedtoTTL
orCMOSlogic,theFlexinputsaredirectlycompatible.Wheninterfacedtoan“open
collector”typeoutputornormallyopencontactclosurethatisactivehigh,make
surethatitisatleast2.4VDCanddoesnotexceed24VDCwhen“on”.Additionally,if
usingan“opencollector”typeoutputthat“leaks”morethan0.1mA,apull‐down
resistormayberequiredtokeeptheFlexinputbelowthe1.0VDCwhenthesource
is“off”.Ifyouareinterfacingtoan“opencollector”ornormallyopencontact
closurethatisactivelow,attacha“pull‐up”resistorof1Kto10Kohmsbetween
yourGPIOpinandtheV+inputoftheFlex.Thiswillholdthepinhighuntilyour

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triggerpullsitlow.Whenoperatingasanoutput,theGPIOpinisacurrentlimited,
opencollectoroutput.When“off”,theoutputwill“leak”about0.3mAtogroundif
connectedtoapositivevoltage.When“on”itcansink100mAtoground,witha
saturationvoltageofapproximately2.4volts.Thismakestheoutputidealfor
drivingrelaycoils,butitmayormaynotdrivedevicesintendedtooperatefromTTL
ordrycontactclosures.Youwillneedtoknowthetriggerthresholdofthedeviceto
besurethatitiscompatiblewiththeGPIOportsontheFlex.Ifyouareunsureorif
yourdevice’striggervoltageisbelow+2.4VDCoryourdevicerequiresa“dry”
contactclosure,youshouldinterfaceyourdevicethroughanIT‐R4Sserialrelay
module,theK‐10DrelaymoduleoroneoftheotherKSeriesrelaymodules.TheIT‐
R4SwillinterfacetotheFlexviaoneoftheserialportswhiletherelaymodulewill
interfacethroughtheGPIOports.TheIT‐R4Shasaserialpass‐throughporttoallow
anotherdevicetobeconnectedtoit.Thisallows2devicestoshare1serialporton
theFlex.TheI/OPortsaretobewiredasshownbelow:
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AnalogInput
TheFLEXpanelhasoneanaloginput.Thisinputwillreceivea0to10voltDCrange
signal.
NOTE:Theanaloginputisdesignedforfutureuse.

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DesigningaSystem
Whendesigningasystemthereareanumberofconsiderationsthatneedtobe
addressedforpropersystemfunctionality.Inthissectionwewilllookatallthe
typicalpiecesofasystemandwhatisrequiredforthesystemtofunctionproperly.
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Hardwareconsiderations
Whenchoosinghardwareforcontrol‐basedsystemstherearenumberofquestions
thatneedtobeaddressed.Whattypeofprotocolisusedtocommunicatewiththe
hardware?Whatdevicewillhandleaudioandvideoswitching?Howwillvolume
controlbehandled?Thesequestionswillallneedtobeconsideredwhenlookingat
thehardwareusedinthesystem.Let’slookatsomeoftheconsiderationsforeach
typeofhardware.
Display
Theprimarythingtolookatwhenselectingthedisplayishowwillitbecontrolled.
ThetypicaldisplayhaseitherIRorserialcontrol.Thereareseveraladvantagesto
havingserialcontrol.Devicesusingserialcontrolhavetheadvantageofbeingable
toswitchtodistinctinputs.Thismakessourceselectionmucheasier.Ifyouneedto
pagethroughseveralmenustoswitchinputs,thedisplayisnotidealforacontrol
system.IfyouchooseadisplaywithIRcontrolmakesureithastheabilitytoselect
distinctoutputsources.

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Switchers
Youmayelecttouseaseparateswitchingdeviceforsourceselection.Typicallya
switcherwillhaveserialcontrol.Thissimplifiessetupofyourdisplay.Many
switcherswillswitchbothaudioandvideo.Thisneedstobetakeninto
considerationwhenyouaredesigningtheaudioportionofyoursystem.
Audiocontrol
InasimpleAVsystem,therearemanyoptionsforaudiooutput.Manysystemsuse
theaudiooutputfromthedisplayinconjunctionwithanexternalamplifierand
speakers.Thissimplifiesaudiocontrol.Inthisdesignbesurethedisplayhasthe
abilitytocontrolanyoutputstotheamplifier.
ThereareotherhardwaredevicesinatypicalA/Vsystemwheretheaudiolevels
canbecontrolled.Atypicalexampleofthisisthroughanamplifier,switcheror
mixer.Thedecisiononwhichdevicecontrolstheaudiolevels,isimportanttothe
designofthecontrolsystem.Againbesurethedeviceyouchoosetoadjustaudio
levelshastheappropriatecontrolcapabilities.
ScreenControl
Screenmanufacturershavemanyoptionsavailableforcontrol.Whendesigning
screencontrolintoanAVsystemtherearemanymethodstochoosefrom.Many
manufacturersprovidetheoptionofeitherserial,IR,orcontactclosurecontrolfor
thescreen.Ifyouelecttousecontactclosurecheckthespecificationsfromthe
manufacture.YoumayrequireanexternalserialtorelayconvertersuchastheFSR
Intelli‐toolsITR4Stocontrolyourscreen.Checkthevoltagerequirementsfromthe
screenmanufacture.
DistanceLimitations
Whendesigningasystemitisimportantthatthewiringforcommunicationsdoes
notexceedthepublisheddistancelimitations.ThedistancelimitationsfortheFLEX
hardwarearelistedaboveinthehardwaresectionofthismanual.
IRConsiderations
OneofthechallengeswhenusingIRinAVsystemissyncingthedifferentdevicesto
ensurewhenapowerbuttonispressedthesystemactuallycomeson.Youmaywant
toaddaseparateon/offbuttontoanyIRdevicescreentoensuretheycanbe
poweredtothedesiredstate.
SerialConsiderations
Manufacturer’sserialcommandsetsdiffergreatly.Itisimportanttobesurethatthe
devicedriversarereadilyavailable.Serialcommandsalsovarygreatlyin
complexity.Herearetwoexamplesofthe“PowerOn”command”
PowerOnC00
PowerOn02H00H00H00H00H02H
Acomplexserialcommandsetincreasesthepotentialforcommunicationissues.

14
EthernetConsiderations
EthernetenabledA/Vdevicesarebecomingastandardinmostlargerinstallation.
FrequentlyA/Vdevicesshareanetworkwithmoretraditionalnetworkdevices.Itis
importanttoworkwiththeITmanagertoinsuretherearenoaddressconflicts
betweendevices.

DesigningaSystemUsingFLEX
ItisverysimpletodesignasystemwithFLEX.TheFLEXisbasedonasystemof
buttonswhenpressedeithernavigatestheusertoadifferentscreenorperformsan
action.

Anybuttonpresscanperformmultipleactionsincludingnavigatingtoother
screens.FLEXgivesyoutheoptionofnavigatingtoscreensinanymanneryou
choose.


15

InthissystemwehaveaprojectorDVD/VCRandaPC.TheFLEXwillswitchsources
ontheprojectorandcontrolvolumelevels.
Designingthesystem
STEPONE:DevicestoControl
Thefirststepindesigningasystemisdeterminingwhatdevicesaretobecontrolled.
InthesystembelowwehaveaprojectoraDVD/VCRandacomputer.Onthe
projectorwewillswitchsourcesandcontrolvolumelevels.Wewillalsoprovide
transportcontrolsfortheDVDVCR.Nextstepistodetermineanyadditional
screenswemaydesire.YoumaywantaseparatescreenfortheDVDmenu.You
couldhaveawaitscreentoindicateyoursystemisinthepowerupmode.Theseare
allcapabilitiesoftheFLEXcontrolsystems.

16
Serial 1 (3 conductor 22 Gauge)
IR 1
Composite Video Cable
Stereo Audio (RCA)
RGB (HD-15)
DVD/VCR
Computer
Amp
Pro
j
ector
Video
Audio
Control
Stereo Line Out (RCA)
Signal Type
Flex Classroom System
Serial 1
Speakers

STEPTWO:FunctionstoControl
Thenextstepistodecidewhatfunctionswewanttocontrol.Manydeviceshave
functionswemaynotwanttocontrolwiththeFLEXsystem.Forexampleyoumay
wanttomakefocusadjustmentsonaprojectorwiththeremoteandnotuseyour
controlsystemforthis.Itisimportanttodeterminethefunctionsthatwewantto
usethecontrolsystemfor.
Fortheprojectorwewanttocontrol:
SourceSelection Volumeup
Volumedown Volumemute
FortheDVDwewanttocontrol:
Play  Stop
Pause  Fast‐forward
Reverse Chapterforward
Chapterback
FortheVCRwewanttocontrol:
Play  Stop
Pause  Fast‐forward
Reverse

17
Aswecreateourscreenswewillwanttodesignateabuttonforeachoneofthese
functionsyouwillseeasamplescreenfortheDVDbelow.

Inthescreenabove,youwillseebuttonsforvolumeandmute.Theseareglobal
buttons.WiththeFLEXwecanhavefunctionsworkonmultiplescreens.
STEPTHREE:Screens
Thenextstepistodeterminewhatscreenswewantinourcontrolsystem.Ina
typicalsystemwewantascreenforeverygroupoffunctionswearegoingto
control.Forexamplewewillhaveascreenforinputselection.Wemaynothavea
screenforeverydevice.Forexampleifwe’reusingaswitcherforsourceselection
wemaynothaveascreenforourdisplay.
Wealsoneedtodetermineifweneedadditionalscreensforadevice.Forexample
youmaywanttwoscreensforDVDcontrol.Thefirstscreenisfortransportcontrols
andasecondscreenformenunavigation.Anexampleofthisisshownbelow.


18
Belowisanexampleofourchecklist,whichillustratesthedeviceswe’regoingto
control,andthefunctionsofeachdevice.Thisisausefultoolinevaluatingwhat
screenstheprojectrequires.

STEPFOUR:Templates
TheFLEXConfigurationUtilityisatemplate‐basedsystemwherebuttonsandlabels
areplacedonourscreensinpredeterminedlocations.Belowisanexampleofoneof
thetemplates.Thetemplateshavethreedifferentsizeplaceholderthelarge
placeholderistodesigntoaccommodatethelargebuttons.Themiddle‐sized
buttonsaccommodatethesmallerbuttons.Thesmallplaceholdersareforthe
placementoftextlabels.

19

SampleTemplates
TheConfigurationUtilityhaseightdifferenttemplatesavailablefordifferentsystem
configurations.Belowisanillustrationofeachtemplateandanexampleofascreen
createdusingthattemplate.


20

