DMXKitty

DMXKitty is a low-cost PoE-powered Art-Net to DMX converter. Like NoCatDMX, but with more cat.

Project Status

• 2013-03-30: Started design work on Rev002, as the board/design issues with Rev001 are mostly/all known now.
• 2013-03-28: Chips replaced, troubleshot for many hours, eventually finding a bug in the new PHY driver I wrote, and fixed it. Can now telnet into the DMXKitty, but DMX output isn't working right yet.
• 2013-03-27: Boards received, first module built, have output of PoE module backwards so blew up all the chips. More chips are at home, so work stopped for the night.
• 2013-03-15: PoE modules received, boards manufactured and shipped, not yet received.
• 2013-03-04: Silkscreen done, checklist run, sent to OSH Park w/ Priority shipping to get it in time for this month's hackoff. Also ordered PoE modules from Silvertel/Semiconductor Store.
• 2013-03-03: Finished routing board, still need to do silk.
• 2013-03-02: Checklisted schematic, almost finished routing board.
• 2013-03-01: Finished schematic pending checklist.
• 2013-02-28: Started design + BOM + schematicizing.

Architecture

• Same processor as StrichLux/IO-ETH (PIC32MX664F128H) but with Micrel KSZ8051ML PHY
• Silvertel AG9003 PoE to 3.3v converter

Build Notes

Rev001 Notes

• C4 and C5 missing from BOM - Fixed in Rev002
• +/- outputs from PoE converter backwards - Fixed in Rev002
• Termination for Ethernet TX/RX should be separate, rather than all connected together - Fixed in Rev002
• DMX I/O not connected to UART pins on the PIC! - Fixed in Rev002
• EEPROM not required, as we're using flash on the PIC now - Removed in Rev002
• PHY Test In/Out test points not required on next rev, can implement this test in code now that the basic PHY driver works - Removed in Rev002
• LED labels could be larger
• Outline for PoE converter being rectangular leads to a bunch of wasted space, should make a more accurate layout for the next rev - Updated in Rev002
• OSHW logo is on the wrong side of the board (top, should be bottom or elsewhere that isn't under things)
• Look at if it's possible to feed the PHY 25MHz from the PIC itself via a timer, would save us 3 components - It's not.
• Look at if it's possible to use the internal 8MHz oscillator in the PIC, would save us 3 components - Using smaller xtal in Rev002, and can not-stuff if internal can be used
• See if it's possible to add footprint for 3-pin DMX connector w/o affecting the 5-pin footprint - Added in Rev002
• Link LED never comes on, check polarity of LED outputs from PHY - Fixed in Rev002
• Speed LED is green, should be yellow - Fixed in Rev002
• Power LED is excessively bright - Fixed in Rev002
• See if there's anywhere else we can use R/C packs to save component stuffing time
• Switch Debug and ICSP connectors to be pogo-pin pads rather than PTHs to save top-side space - Changed in Rev002