Table of Contents
Advertisement
P3 communication link
VDO Face 5™ panels communicate using the Martin® P3 signal format (Ethernet Martin® P3 Protocol).
The P3 signal contains both video data and command signals.
VDO Face 5™ panels have integral P3 data input and throughput connectors on the back of panels (see
"Overview" on page 12).
It is possible to mix and interconnect different Martin® LED video products in an installation. The P3 System
Processor will recognize the products in the installation, display them correctly in the user interface, and
control the different products correctly.
Cable and connector types
Use good-quality CAT 5e or better STP (shielded twisted pair) Ethernet cable for the P3 link. Cable must be
suitable for the installation environment. RJ-45 connectors should be shielded type, with the shield around
the connector terminals electrically connected to the cable shield.
The Ethernet socket on each panel has a sealing cap and accepts IP65-rated Neutrik EtherCON Cat 6
push-pull connectors. We recommend use of the IP65-rated Neutrik EtherCON CAT 6 cables supplied by
Martin® for the VDO Face 5™ (see "Data cable" on page 51).
In an indoor environment only, you can use non-IP-rated standard RJ-45 Ethernet connectors. It is possible
to make your own cables with Neutrik EtherCON Cat 6 connectors.
Unused connectors on panels must be sealed with their supplied rubber caps at all times.
Planning the P3 link
Figure 37 on page 44 shows an example of a P3 system layout.
Martin P3 System Controllers accept a wide variety of video signal types. Please refer to product
documentation for details.
P3 link requirements in large installations
A single P3 network can contain up to 520 000 pixels, corresponding to maximum of 50 x VDO Face 5™
panels. Please see the P3 System Controllers documentation for details of how many P3 networks and
pixels each of the various P3 System Controllers can control.
If an installation consists of more than 50 x VDO Face 5™ panels, it can be split into two and two P3 System
Controllers used in tandem. An even easier solution is to use a P3-300 System Controller. This controller
has four P3 network outputs, each of which can drive up to 520 000 pixels.
Using Ethernet switches to split the link into chains
To make cabling more convenient, you can run the P3 signal output from the P3 System Controller to a
1 GB Ethernet switch, then use the outputs from the Ethernet switch to send the P3 signal to groups of
panels. You can insert an Ethernet switch at any point on the link to branch the link into separate daisy
chains.
Using Ethernet switches to extend the link
See Figure 37. The maximum permitted cable length between any two devices on the P3 link before a
signal amplifier is required is 100 m (328 ft.) if good quality Ethernet cable is used for the link. A 1 GB
Ethernet switch on the P3 link is an ideal signal amplifier. If the P3 link will exceed the 100 m cable length
limit at any point in the installation, insert an Ethernet switch to boost the signal. If necessary, more switches
can be added each time the link reaches the 100 m limit.
Figure 37 shows the 1 GB Ethernet switch inserted between two panels on the P3 link as an example only:
the switch can be inserted in any position on the link where the cable length between any two devices would
exceed 100 m.
Important!
More expensive, sophisticated switches tend to carry out additional processing that can cause
latency. You should therefore choose a relatively cheap unmanaged 1GB Ethernet switch.
P3 communication link
43
Advertisement
Table of Contents
