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C h a p t e r 1
O v e r v i e w
System Components
The Matrix MkII dimming system consists of Matrix Mk.II racks, a Matrix Processor
per rack, and various dimmer module types. A module may contain an SCR dimmer
or a sine wave dimmer, but in addition, a module may contain only a circuit breaker,
a group of relays for switching either conventional lighting or HMI sources, dimmers
enhanced for Fluorescent loads, or may contain no electronics at all.
Matrix Mk.II Processor
The Matrix modules in each rack are managed by a rack Processor unit. The Matrix
Mk.II Processor stores the settings for each module in the rack, manages the data
lines into the rack, provides display for and access to the internal settings of each
channel in the rack's modules. Although each rack processor is central to the full
operation of Matrix Mk.II, each module's own processing capabilities ensure that
basic dimming facilities are maintained even if a major fault affects one of the dual
processing paths within the rack Processor. The dual processors are:
The Processor serves as a real-time processor for incoming control signals and
transmits that information to the individual modules. It also monitors the system
status and reports any errors, both locally, on its own display panel and the affected
module's status LEDs, and remotely through the DimSTAT® network.
The Processor can be used to configure its rack within the system. Configuration and
error data can be accessed either locally at the Processor keypad, or by using the
DimSTAT network PC screen.
Networked Matrix Mk.II systems can be divided into separately configured
subsystems called groups. A group would typically represent one auditorium or one
studio in a theatre or TV studio complex. There is no limit to the number of groups,
but the maximum number of Processors (i.e. racks in the system) is 255, which is
equivalent to 45,900 channels.
2
Merge Processor: for managing data distribution to the dimmer modules
with direct inputs from DMX 1 and 2 (main data lines), Ethernet control data,
RS422 touch panels and 48 switched inputs via optional interfaces.
Screen Processor: for setup, status reports and monitoring, with direct
inputs from DMX 1 and 2 (backup lines), Ethernet DimSTAT and RS485
DimSTAT.
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