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Products -> Lighting Controls -> PPX

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PPX is a combination of small adapter boards that can be used in conjunction with our pixel oriented products (PIXAD8, P12R, etc.) to extend the pixel signals over much longer distances. They should also work with most other brands of pixel drivers. The PPX system also will distribute a modest power envelope over the same cable for optionally powering the pixels without the need for local power supplies at the pixel strings.

An ECG-PPX driver board (ECG-PPD-A, B, or C) converts the CMOS/TTL clock and data signals used with most pixel strings into a pair of differential signals. These signals along with up to 2 amps of 7-70VDC power are then transported over a standard 4 pair Cat 5 24awg cable with RJ45 plugs on each end.

At the other end of the Cat5 cable an ECG-PPX receiver board (ECG-PPR-A) converts the differential clock and data signals back to CMOS/TTL levels. It also has an on-board regulator capable of converting 7V-36VDC to the 5VDC needed for its electronics. This same regulator can be used to supply up to 1.5 amps of 5VDC to power a modest length of 5VDC pixels directly. Optionally an external DC-DC converter can be connected and the unit configured to provide larger current 5VDC or 12VDC or other pixel driving voltages as required by the user.

An additional ECG-PPX injector board (ECG-PPI-A) can be added to increase the 5VDC pixel drive by converting and injecting the 7V-36VDC power and injecting into the pixel string at intervals.

At the bottom of this page are some sample photos of connected boards.

How It Works

The power capacity of a standard 4 pair Cat 5 24awg cable is almost directly proportional to the voltage level. Each connection and wire can handle a modest 1 amp of current. At 5VDC that would only carry 5 watts of power. By doubling up your power and ground wires you could increase this to 2 amps or 10 watts of power. However if you increase the voltage you can increase the total wattage. The ECG-PPX system was designed with the idea of increasing the voltage to 12VDC, 24VDC, 36VDC (our recommend optimum) or higher. Using 36VDC as an example you would then have an available power of 72 watts. If at the receiving end you use a DC-DC converter to convert the power back down to your pixel target power you could provide 11.5 amps of 5VDC or 4.8 amps of 12VDC assuming a 20% loss for voltage drop and DC-DC converter loss.

The other part of the solution is the conversion of the CMOS/TTL level signals to a differential signal and back at the receiving end.

The combination of these two techniques allows a standard 4 pair Cat5 cable to provide 57.6 usable watts of pixel power and extends the clock and data and power up to several hundred feet. We have tested it at 200 foot distances with no difficulties. For longer distances you may lose a few more watts of power and may have to slow the pixel clocks down a little. But we expect that it could go 1000 feet if needed.

All ECG-PPX boards will interconnect with the same ECG-PPX standard RJ45 cabling. The ECG-PPX does not enforce or define the maximum voltage used for the +V wires. This value may vary and will be stated as the input voltage range for each product.

ECG-PPX Cable Specification

Pin 1 – Clock Differential +
Pin 2 – Clock Differential -
Pin 3 – Data Differential +
Pin 4 - +V (range of allowable +V to be determined by equipment specs)
Pin 5 - +V (range of allowable +V to be determined by equipment specs)
Pin 6 – Data Differential -
Pin 7 – Ground/Common/-V
Pin 8 – Ground/Common/-V

You may think this order is odd but the standard Cat5 cable wiring that most of us use places one pair on each of the following: 1/2, 3/6, 4/5, and 7/8. So, each of these signals is on its own appropriate pair.

With the use of RJ45 connectors and 24ga cables your current draw should be limited to 2A.

Although technically unlimited, we would like to keep the expected voltage ranges down to a reasonable level. We propose using the terms: PPX-12VDC, PPX-40VDC, PPX-70VDC to describe the maximum allowed voltage for the PPD/PPR pair.

Warning: We believe that plugging one of these cables into an Ethernet device should have a low risk of damage to the Ethernet device. We even, inadvertently, tested that with our laptop during R&D. It is still Etherneting. The use of RJ45 cables with differing signals and voltages does present the possibility of human error. But the cost savings of using simple RJ45 cables and connectors has, we believe, out weighed the risk involved. We already have RJ45 with many different configurations and voltages used in this venue. One more will hopefully not break the camel’s back. You may want to consider color coding or labeling your cables as PPX-40VDC or some such naming to help reduce your risk.

The parts of an ECG-PPX System

ECG-PPD-B – Powered Pixel Driver - 7VDC – 40VDC input range ECG-PPD-C – 4 Channel Powered Pixel Driver - 7VDC – 40VDC input range on Channel 1 ECG-PPR-A – Multi-Mode Powered Pixel Receiver Our first PPR can operate in several modes. The mode is setup with wire jumpers on a screw terminal strip on the board and the use of differing connections on the external connectors. Mode 1 – PPX power is supplied to the small onboard switching regulator and that regulator supplies power to the differential receivers and to a small string of pixels. Additionally the PPX power is supplied to a separate output connector for other uses. (see PPI units). Based on the specification of the switching regulator this has an input voltage range of 7VDC to 40VDC and will only output 5VDC at 1.5A max. Mode 2 – PPX power is supplied to the small onboard switching regulator and that regulator supplies power only to the differential receivers. The PPX power supplied to the separate output connector is supplied to an external DC-DC converter and its output is returned to the board to supply the pixel string. Input voltage range of 7VDC to 40VDC but the output voltage and amperage are determined only by available wattage and the type of external converter. We are investigating 5VDC 3A, 5VDC 5A, 12VDC 3A and 12VDC 6A cost effective external DC-DC converters. Mode 3 – PPX power is only supplied to the separate output connector. The converted power return is connected either to the input of the onboard switching regulator, if in the 7V to 40V range, or directly to the differential receivers, if exactly 5VDC. Power and voltage of output must match the range of the external DC-DC converter. Additionally we will produce a simple Powered Pixel Injector (PPI) ECG-PPI-A – Powered Pixel Injector - 7VDC-40VDC Input, 5VDC 1.5A output By tapping the PPX output power available from the PPR-A it is possible to run a separate set of PPX power cables alongside your 5VDC pixel string. Approximately every 25 pixels you can cut your string and insert an ECG-PPI-A. It will take the PPX power and convert it to a new supply of 5VDC 1.5A power and deliver that to the next block of pixels. The clock, data, and ground signals will be passed through. With these small injectors you could power a much longer string (perhaps 150+ pixels) by using a PPX +V of 36VDC and one PPI for every set of 25 pixels after the first. This unit is only for use with 5VDC pixel strings. Ordering Items are in stock and ready for shipment 48 hrs ARO. Orders should include product requested, quantity, shipping mode, and complete shipping address. Orders should be placed via email to: j1sales@joshua1systems.com We will reply via email with an invoice for confirmation and payment. Pricing All pricing is in US Dollars. All shipping is via USPS services. The shipping price is for the first unit or pound of shipping. In most cases many units can be included in the one pound shipment or in the small flat rate box used to hold the priority orders. They also can cost effectively be included with other controlllers in the same package. We will provide a calculated shipping cost with the final invoice before payment. List USA Priority Int'l Priority Intl'l Express ECG-PPD-B Single Channel Driver Board $15.00 $8.00 $25.00 $50.00 ECG-PPD-C Four Channel Driver Board $27.00 $8.00 $25.00 $50.00 ECG-PPR-A Single Channel Receiver Board $15.00 $8.00 $25.00 $50.00 ECG-PPI-A Single Channel Injector Board $12.00 $8.00 $25.00 $50.00 Examples Above is a photo of a sample PPD-C driver setup. On the left is a 36VDC power supply. Power is being provided by the 120VAC black cable going off the top of the photo. The 36VDC is being provided to the second bank of an ECG-P12R pixel controller. The P12R is configured to extract its own power from the 36VDC and is connected to the network by the blue cable going off the top of the photo. 36VDC and CMOS/TTL clock and data signals are going over each of the white cables from the P12R to a four channel PPD-C drive board. These cables are 4 conductor 22awg cables. The 36VDC and the converted differential clock and data signals are going out each of the Cat5 cables to the right. These cables could go over 200 feet to receivers in four distinct locations. Each cable could deliver upto 72 watts of power or about 56 watts after conversion and voltage drop losses. Above is a photo of a sample 5VDC PPR-A receiver setup. Coming in from the left is the PPX Cat5 cable with differential signals and 36VDC. The PPR-A is configured to convert the 36VDC to 5VDC and provide power to the electronics and the pixel string. Connected on the right is a single 5VDC WS-2801 pixel. Even using just the onboard regulator this string could be much longer. We estimate 20-40 pixels. But you must determine the amperage needs for your pixel strings and configurations. Above is a photo of a sample 12VDC PPR-A receiver setup. Coming in from the left is the PPX Cat5 cable with differential signals and 36VDC. The PPR-A is configured to convert the 36VDC to 5VDC and provide power to the electronics. The external DC-DC converter will convert the 36VDC to 12VDC and power the pixel string. Connected on the right is a strip of 12VDC LPD-6803 pixels. Based on the capabilities and efficiency of the DC-DC converter this string could be much longer. But you must determine the amperage needs for your pixel strings and configurations.