Tuesday, November 22, 2011

OpenPyro System is updated to version 0.2

Hi to all!

Thanks to your interest in our OpenPyro project and lots of questions & messages we receive by PM and e-mail, we continue to work more actively on the project. Currently, OpenPyro System is updated to version 0.2.













First of all:
according to your wishes, we have altered circuitry of the 8 channel OpenPy
ro Field box, and now 10 channels in one device are available for you.













Secondly:
we are delighted to present an alternative version of OpenPyro Transmitter Light. Analyzing trends in the fireworks forums, we came to conclusion that many fans are interested in
shooting pyromusical fireworks by computer, as well getting ability to manage already acquired equipment. Particulary for this purpose OpenPyro Transmitter Light was designed.













Let’s consider it in detail:
3 control protocols are available (selection by jumper): AlphaFire 12cues, SuperbFire 32cues and our own high-speed protocol OpenPyro. Fully compatible with the control program PyroIgnitionControl V1.4.1.

Easy to manufacture, this device will allow anyone to gather it at home and control 30 devices, 32 channels each (for SuperbFire 32cues) with a resolution of 0.4 sec, or 30 devices on OpenPyro Transmitter, 10cues each with discreteness of 0.05 sec. High speed and shooting accuracy is very important for pyromusical displays, so we recommend you use a protocol OpenPyro.


































In the Project repository (http://code.google.com/p/openpyro/downloads/list) The following files are available

Arduino code:
- OpenPyro_Transmitter
- OpenPyro_Transmitter_light
- OpenPyro_Field_box_10
Circuitry:
- OpenPyro_Transmitter
- OpenPyro_Transmitter_light
- OpenPyro_Field_box_10

Follow us on Twitter, like our page on Facebook, comment and read our blog. We will certainly keep you informed!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Thursday, September 1, 2011

OpenPyro on facebook

In pare with the OpenPyro project official web site we’ve created our page on facebook. We regard facebook as reliable and comfortable possibility to facilitate our communication process. We do believe that the usage of OpenPyro of project page on facebook will maximally accelerate feedback between us.

So, we are proudly welcome you on OpenPyro facebook page.

P.S. We remind that also you may follow us in Twitter.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Openpyro.com is launched

We are glad to report about completion of works on creation and filling with content of OpenPyro official website. As we promised, you will be able to get more detailed information directly about a project, and also to know more about the creators of OpenPyro project. In addition, in Downloads, you already have a possibility to get source codes, current version of firmware and become familiar with the detailed description of device. We’ll be glad to get your reviews, comments and wishes.

Welcome on openpyro.com

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Creation of official OpenPyro website

By the aim of popularization and advancement of OpenPyro project, our team has started the prosecution of official web site creation. We do believe that a positive result will be attained without delays. Our web site will give a possibility not only to become familiar with our developments but also to get access to initial codes, firmware, and demos of prototypes work. In addition you will be able to get more information about the OpenPyro project developers. We remind you that it is possible to watch after us in twitter

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Positive feedback

Our team of developers thanks everyone for numerous positive comments on the review of the system prototypes, published in current blog and PyroUniverse Forum. Such interest stimulates us a lot. That is why in next few weeks you'll be able to view the site of our project and to familiar with initial codes of the System. Stay in touch – we’ll hold you in course. Once again, thank you all and follow us on twitter.

Friday, June 17, 2011

OpenPyro System

Since its launch in 2009 the OpenPyro device has got a number of prototypes and versions.
Today, having come up with the optimal solution we propose to view it in details.












Control panel:


















Core of the product (Microcontroller):
- Arduino Nano board;
- RS-485 - control over twisted pair receivers.
- RF-433 МHz receiver - simplex mode control
- USB - interface of a communication device to a PC for programming the script, and transfer control firmware embedded software control panel
- 1024 channels (up to 32 devices with 32 channels)

Controls:
- On / Off Power
- Keyboard – 4*4 matrix = 16 buttons

Indication:
- Symbol indicator – 20 symbols*4 lines
Power Source:
- From 7V to 14V - 2 lithium batteries or 12 V lead-acid batteries

Recievers:














Core of the product (Microcontroller):
Atmega8 processor with boot loader Arduino

Communication interfaces:

RS-485 - control over twisted pair receivers.
RF-433 МHz receiver - simplex mode control
Uart TTL – communication interface device for programming the firmware receiver script and re-flashing.

Channels:
Matrix 4 * 8 = 32 channels (four common "+" and eight "-") or 8 channels line out

Controls:
On / Off Power
Test / ARM mode
The device number in the network installed using sockets switches (2 ^ 5 = 32 numbers)

Indication:

Test / Start-up Mode (red LED)
Test / Run 32 channels (32 red LEDs)
The power source (red LED)
Operation (green LED)


Power Source:
From 7V to 14V - 2 lithium batteries or 12 V lead-acid batteries

Current status of the product
- 2 firing module prototypes on the circuit board (32 channels and 8 channels)
- Prototype of a remote control console on the circuit board – controlling with the keyboard or ActionBase PyroIgnitionControl
- PyroIgnitionControl, ActionBase and PT2262 encoder protocol.



Software Info:
http://www.feuerwerk-forum.de/showthread.php?t=24096

Thursday, June 16, 2011

About OpenPyro project

In 2004 while working on the order from a professional fireworks company we faced pyrotechnics world for the first time. After seeing the system we designed for fireworks shooting in work we got a new hobby shared by all the members of our team. Fireworks.
We made a research and were really surprised at the fact for how the amateur and professional world of fireworks fall so far behind the high tech progress.
Watching the Open Source hardware progress we decided to design an open source system for fireworks shooting with professional features available for the amateur budget. Thus the OpenPyro project appeared.

Our core objectives:
  • Designing an open source hardware system for pyromusical fireworks shooting available for amateur budget.
  • Popularization of modern technologies in the field of amateur and professional fireworks.
  • Raising security level of amateur fireworks.
  • Popularization of Open Sources Software and Open Sources Hardware development, initiating social network for the development of open digital systems for fireworks shooting and trick effects.

Core vision:

OpenPyro system takes transient place between massive professional systems for pyromusical shows and the various low-cost amateur fireworks systems. Thus, it gives the opportunity to get highly professional level of trick effects with music synchronization and in accordance to the firmly scheduled plan at a lower cost.
The most important thing is that the OpenPyro system is going to be compatible with technologies used by amateurs:
  • Matrix principle of electrical fuses initialization increases shooting channels under significant cost savings (less cable veins, PCB is smaller in size and thus cheaper in cost). Besides, this principle is widely described at pyrotechnics forums and widely being used in practice.
  • Usage of a low cost unilateral ISM radio channel (433 MHz for Europe and 315 MHz for USA) does not require registration. Depending on firmware the device can either be compatible with Chinese consoles controlled by PT2262 encoder or control Chinese channel receivers emulating PT 2262 encoder. In that case there is a chance to use proprietary protocol in order to increase controlling speed and safety. (applying checksums, encryption etc.)
  • Trigger Sequencer input for compatibility with old shooting systems. Sequencer is a sequential shooting of all the channels with a specified interval, for instance, 1 second. The advantage of this technology is that the input can be connected to any shooting system increasing channels capacity.
  • Compatibility to existing software for PyroIgnitionControl, ActionBase control.

We believe the device compatibility with the existing technologies will stir up interest of a global pyrotechnic community as it is going to facilitate device implementation.

Thus, we believe:
  • the amateurs would be able to design any of Open Pyro elements independently
  • as it is an open system anyone can modify it in accordance with his own needs thus assisting OpenPyro project development
  • OpenPyro project may lead to the development of a social network interested in fireworks solutions.

Main tasks for the nearest future:

Designing and development of the current prototype device and publishing the electronic circuit licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Designing the source code firmware device licensed under GNU GPL.v3

For more details you can find us at openpyro.com , openpyro.googlecode.com and in twitter @openpyrofx