Programming Commands; Setup Commands; Recording Commands; Status Commands - AMX PRO-DP8 Instruction Manual

Introduction
All this communication takes milliseconds of time. The AXlink buffer sends data to the PROlink
buffer, receives commands from the PROlink buffer, receives data from the Axcess Central
Controller, and connects AXlink levels to an Axcess Central Controller. Each Central Controller
can control over 250 devices on the AXlink control bus. There is a DIP switch on each AXlink
device to set the address from 1 to 255. Each AXlink Central Controller can receive 8 levels from a
device. AMX Lighting pack #1 can send all six of its levels directly to the AXlink bus. Only Pack
#1 can send AXlink levels; Pack 2-10 cannot return direct levels to the Axcess Central Controller.

Programming Commands

There are four main types of programming commands used in the AMX Lighting system: Setup,
Recording, Status, and Operation commands. The following descriptions apply to both the PROlink
and AXlink Command Structure.

Setup commands

These types of commands are global commands sent to Pack #1 that affect the entire PROlink
network. These commands are used to set the default values and parameters that are typically
entered at the startup of the system and not changed. If certain commands are issued with a time
value associated then the AMX Lighting system will use an available default value determined at
setup. The commands for recording and recalling presets use these defaults, as do ramping
operations. Curve settings are setup commands done on a individual channel basis and are not
global. Curves are set in the beginning and do not need to be changed unless the loads also change.

Recording commands

These commands send preset data to the AMX Lighting memory chip. All recording and setup
commands are stored in non-volatile memory. These commands are also used to store presets,
assign presets for dry closure recall, and erase stored presets.

Status commands

Status commands allow a user or a program to get data from the lighting system and act on that
information. This feature gives a computer the ability to perform interactive processes with the
AMX Lighting system. AXlink status data and Axcess Levels have unique differences from
PROlink status data. The combination of AXlink and PROlink status commands provides the
greatest flexibility.

Operation commands

This is the largest category of commands. The operational commands are used for real-time
lighting control and setup of scenes prior to programming presets. Operational commands recall,
ramp, and set levels for dimmers. They can also be used for remote operation of the dry closure
contact.

Control Curves

There is a great influx of new lamps and ballast on the market. Each one has properties and
dimming characteristics that present a new challenge for the dimmer manufacturer to provide an
appropriate dimmer. What was designed as a standard incandescent dimmer must now be able to
control electronic ballast, incandescent lamps, low voltage track lighting, and a host of new
transformers.
4 AMX Lighting PROlink/AXlink Programming