lumenradio CRMX StarDust RDM/DMX Wireless Transm Receiver User Manual

lumenradio CRMX StarDust RDM/DMX Wireless Transm Receiver

CRMX Stardust User Manual

LumenRadio AB 2023-02-17

Contents

• Safety information
• Introduction
• Your Stardust device
• Settings and operation

Product Information

The CRMX Stardust is a wireless DMX device that allows for cognitive coexistence and is compatible with CRMX2. The device features a linking key for cloning transmitters and linking an RX. It has multiple power options including AC inlet, DC inlet, and Power-over-Ethernet. The device can be mounted using M10 and 3/8z holes or safety wire for safety purposes. It can also be rack or wall mounted. Firmware upgrades can be performed to update the device.

Product Usage Instructions

To use the CRMX Stardust device, follow these steps:

1. Choose a power option that is suitable for your needs – AC inlet, DC inlet, or Power-over-Ethernet.
2. Mount the device using M10 and 3/8z holes or safety wire for safety purposes. You can also choose to rack or wall mount the device.
3. To update the firmware, follow the instructions provided in the user manual.
4. Use the front panel UI to access the main menu and output status. Status icons will provide additional information.
5. If needed, use the web UI to access additional settings and features.
6. To link or unlink the device, use the linking feature provided using the linking key.

Safety information

1.  Please read these instructions and safety instructions carefully before using this product.
2. Keep these instructions for future reference.
3. Never plug the product into the mains supply while it is still in its packaging. Never cover during use.
4. Only use indoors and in dry spaces, except where otherwise explicitly stated.
5. Verify that the product has not been damaged in transport before you make use of it.
6. Keep the product out of the reach of animals, children and persons who require supervision.
7. This product is intended for professional use only.
8. Always place the product on a stable, solid and at base or safely secure it.
9. Do not use the product near hot surfaces or objects.
10. The mains cable must be regularly and carefully checked for damage to the cable, the plug and other parts. In the event of damage, the product must not be used until the mains cable has been replaced. If the product needs to be cleaned, the adapter or mains cable must be disconnected from the mains supply.
11. Repairs must only be carried out by a qualied person.
12. Note that the connected voltage and current corresponding to the sticker on the product.
13. Never submerge the product or the mains cable in water or any other liquid, in order to prevent electric shocks, re, injury and other hazards.
14. Never carry the product by the cables and do not put the cord around sharp edges.

Introduction

This user manual refers to version 1.0.20 or later.
Welcome to the large family of users of LumenRadio’s world-leading wireless DMX system. We hope that you will enjoy your brand-new devices. We, at LumenRadio, have tailored this wireless DMX system to deliver reliability at its best. No matter if you’re using them at a nightclub, a community theatre or on the set of a feature lm, you should be able to trust its cable-like reliability, but without the hassle of cables.

Wireless DMX in a nutshell
Wireless DMX can be used in many different setups, may it be one single universe being transmitted from one point over a distance to one receiver. This is what is called point-to-point, and is a common scenario when shooting wireless DMX over a distance where the cable is not possible. The cable is simply replaced with a wireless cable with a xed latency of 5 ms.

Figure 1: One DMX universe in a point-to-point setup

It is simple to just add more receivers to a universe of wireless DMX to create a wireless splitter, where the same DMX data is outputted with synchronization of less than 0.1 ms. This is what is called a point-to- multipoint setup.

Figure 2: One universe in a point-to-multipoint setup

It is possible to have multiple universes being transmitted simultaneously in what’s called a multipoint-to-multipoint setup. Simply link each receiver to the transmitted universe you want it to output. The system will automatically exchange encryption keys and other security parameters. The system will coordinate the frequency usage to avoid collisions so that multiple universes can be transmitted simultaneously.

Figure 3: Multipoint-to-multipoint setup

Cognitive coexistence
Cognitive Coexistence is LumenRadio’s patented technology for real-time adaptive frequency hopping. It’s the foundation of our CRMX® technology and the main reason why we are perceived as the most reliable and resilient wireless DMX system on the market.

CRMX systems automatically scan and adapt to the RF environment 1500 times per second. If disturbances are detected, the system will move to frequencies that are currently not disturbed. This is how cable-like reliability can be achieved, and trusted by users in the most demanding sets.

Figure 4: Cognitive Coexistence

Introducing CRMX2
Stardust introduces the usage of CRMX2 that allows for transport of more universes in the same amount of frequency space. It packs more data into the same radio link, hence your receivers needs to be updated to support this. In the next section you can see details on what receivers that can be updated and which that can not be updated to support CRMX2.
Compatibility
There has been two major wireless DMX systems on the market for a while – CRMX® and W-DMXTM. They have historically not been fully compatible due to different technologies being used. But CRMX receivers have been able to receive the W-DMX G3 protocol. However, your new CRMX Stardust multi-universe transmitter can be operated in different modes;

1. CRMX2 – transmit 8 universes of CRMX data
2. CRMX Classic – transmit 4 universes of CRMX data in compatibility mode.
3. W-DMX G3 – transmit 4 universes of W-DMX G3 protocol.
4. W-DMX G4S – transmit 4 universes of W-DMX G4S protocol.

Stardust can transmit up to 8 universes of wireless DMX data to CRMX receivers. This requires receivers to run the latest firmware that has support for CRMX2. Most receivers that are built-in in fixtures manufactured later than circa 2015 can be updated1. For receivers that are not upgraded, CRMX Classic mode needs to be used. It is possible to run Stardust in mixed modes of CRMX Classic and CRMX2. In that case, you will be able to transmit in total either 5, 6 or 7 universes depending on what mix you configure.

For W-DMX receivers, please use the W-DMX G3 mode for maximum compatibility. Note: This mode can also be used with CRMX receivers, but security and DMX delity is not as good as when running CRMX mode.

Mode| CRMX receivers| Older CRMX receivers| W-DMX receivers
---|---|---|---
CRMX 2| Yes| No| No
CRMX Classic| Yes| Yes| No
W-DMX G3| Yes| Yes| Yes
W-DMX G4S| Yes| No| Yes
| | |
| | |

Linking Key

What is Linking Key
The Linking Key is a user-defined 8-digit key code. It can be used as a password to the link credentials of a CRMX link. It can be used to tell two (or more) different transmitters to set up identical links. These is what we call cloned transmitters.

It can also be used to link a receiver to a transmitter that has an active link using the same linking key. This allows for the easy addition of a receiver to a network where the transmitter might be inaccessible for instance, without the need to initiate a linking process from the transmitter.

Fixtures using CRMXchip, TiMo RX, TiMo FX or TimoTwo FX can all be upgraded. Contact your store’s manufacturer for further information. CRMX Nova, CRMX Outdoor, and CRMX Slim can not be upgraded.

Cloning transmitters
By cloning transmitters, by entering the same Linking Key into both transmitters, you can place them at separate physical locations and move receives between the locations without the need to relink.
Note:
It is important that the transmitters are separated, otherwise, receivers may end up creating a link with any of the transmitters, which may lead to undefined behavior. Linking key for transmitters can be used in any mode, not limited to CRMX2.

Linking an RX by Linking Key
In receivers that support it, it is possible to enter the linking key of the transmitter to join that network without the need for performing a linking procedure from the transmitter.

Enter the same Linking Key into the receiver as you have entered into the transmitter and the receiver will automatically link to the transmitter when it is within range.

Linking receivers by Linking key can be used both in CRMX Classic and CRMX2, but it requires the manufacturer of the device to have enabled this in their xture. Current LumenRadio products that support this is; Aurora (through app or UI), Luna (through app) and Moonlite (through app).

Your Stardust device

Overview

Figure 5: Stardust back and front

1. Antenna for Output A and Output B
2. Antenna for Output C and Output D
3. Antenna for Output E and Output F
4. Antenna for Output G and Output H
5. IPS TFT display for the menu system
6. Control knob
7. Ethernet port (EtherCON) with PoE+ (802.3at Type 2) (Software locked to 100Mbps)
8. Ethernet Link/Data LEDs
9. DC inlet (10-18V DC) (5.5×2.5 mm)
10. USB port for firmware upgrades
11. WiFi antenna
12. AC inlet (90-240 VAC) (PowerCON TRUE1)
13. Decorative lights

Power options
Stardust has three different power options. It is possible to connect multiple power sources at the same time without damaging the device, this can for instance be used to have redundant power sources.

AC inlet
Stardust can operate from 90-240VAC (10%) through the PowerCON TRUE1 inlet.

DC inlet
The DC inlet is a 5.5×2.5 mm lockable jack. Suitable male connectors are thread lockable 5.5×2.5×7.5mm plugs. Acceptable voltages are 10-18VDC (10%).

Power-over-Ethernet
Stardust can be operated from a PoE+ (30W) power source. While it might be possible to power the unit from lower power classes, it is not recommended as it may be unreliable.

Mounting
Your Stardust is designed to be able to be mounted in a number of different ways;

1. Truss mounted – using a clamp with either M10 or 3/8z thread.
2. Rack mounted – using the rack mounting kit accessory.
3. Tripod mounted – using a M10 or 3/8z spigot or the yoke accessory.
4. Wall mounted – using the wall mount kit accessory.

M10 and 3/8z holes
On either side of your Stardust unit you’ll nd holes for M10 (1.5 mm pitch) and 3/8z (UNC). These can be used with any standard truss mounting clamps or spigots, for instance, a standard TV spigot. Do not use screws that can go deeper than 27 mm.

Safety wire
There are holes on the device where a safety wire shall fast if mounted more than 2 meters (6 feet) above ground.

Rack mounting
You can use the rack mounting kit (sold separately) to mount a Stardust in a standard 19-inch rack. The rack mounting kit comes with convenient antenna patch cables to bring the rear antennas to the front of the rack. To mount the rack brackets, loosen four (4) of the M4 screws on each side of the unit, place the rack bracket, and fasten it in place using the M4 screws. Tighten firmly.

Wall mounting
Stardust can be mounted to a wall using the wall mounting kit (sold separately). Loosen the lower two M4 screws on each side of the unit, place the brackets and fasten them using the M4 screws. Tighten firmly.

Settings and operation

Firmware upgrades
You can expect firmware updates to be released on a regular basis for your new Stardust unit. Even though we take pride in the quality, we probably have overlooked something. Also, there will be many more features added to the firmware in the new weeks and months.

How to update

1. Go to https://lumenradio.com/products/stardust/ to download the latest firmware release.
2. Unzip the release and copy the .swu le to the root directory of a FAT-formatted USB stick.
3. Plug the USB stick into the USB port in the back of the Stardust unit.
4. Choose Update in the menu on the front panel. (You’ll end it under the Settings menu.)
5. Stardust will inform you about the process and reboot automatically when done.
   Note: In the future, upgrades will be possible in fewer manual fashions.

Front panel UI

Main menu
The operation of Stardust can be performed from the front panel menu system. Linking, mapping of universes, IP settings, etc is all done from here.

Figure 6: Stardust main menu

Output Status In the upper left corner of the screen the current status of all eight outputs is shown;

Output Status
In the upper left corner of the screen the current status of all eight outputs is shown;

• Dash (-) shows that the output is not congured.
• Small letter (a-h) indicates that the output is congured, but not receiving data from Ethernet.
• Capital letter (A-H) indicates that the output receives data from Ethernet.

Status icons
In the top of the menu screen, you will and status icons.

Web UI
Most settings and functions can also be operated from the web UI embedded in the device. To access the web UI, take a browser and go to http://a.b.c.d where a.b.c.d is the IP address of your device. If you only have one Stardust connected to your network, you can navigate to http://stardust.local instead.

Figure 7: Stardust Web UI

Linking
Linking and unlinking receivers is done from the Linking menu or from the web UI. Each output can be linked/unlinked individually.

Linking
When linking, all available (currently unlinked) receivers within range will be linked to the output.

Unlinking
When unlinking, all receivers that are linked to this output – and within range – will be unlinked. The receivers will then be available to link to other transmitters.

Universe mapping
In the Universe menu, you can connect each Stardust output to an Ethernet universe, or alternatively disconnect it.

When Stardust is running in a 4-universe mode, every second output will be disabled, hence it’s not possible to connect them to any universe at that point.

Streaming ACN
Streaming ACN (ANSI E1.31), or simply sACN, is a standard for transferring DMX-512 universes over IP networks. The standard allows for up to 64,000 universes on the same IP network. Streaming ACN supports, and most commonly uses, multicast allowing the protocol to work even if IP settings are not set up properly. To congure Stardust to use sACN, the following parameter needs to be set:

• Universe (1-64000)

When using sACN with multicast, it is recommended to use network switches that have IGMP support for scalability reasons if using many universes. It allows for the network switches to offload the devices by taking care of the network traffic to only send the data that each device wants.

ArtNet
ArtNet, developed by Artistic Licence Engineering Ltd, supports up to 32,768 universes being sent over an IP network. Stardust supports ArtNet 4. The ArtNet universe is selected by setting the following parameters:

• Net (0-127)
• SubNet (0-15)
• Universe (0-15)

ArtNet uses unicast and broadcast, which means that IP settings of the unit needs to be properly set up for the protocol to work.

Data merging
Stardust tracks up to 4 data sources per output. Data is merged based on source priority, sourced with equal priority is merged according to a HTP (highest takes precedence) policy where the highest value for each DMX channel is used. If using ArtNet, no priority is used.

Ethernet
Stardust has a built-in Ethernet interface. It can be congured for static IP, or to obtain IP automatically from a DHCP server.

Static IP
When configuring for static IP, you need to configure the following: · IP · Netmask · Gateway (if no gateway exists, leave blank or set it to 0.0.0.0) By enabling DHCP your Stardust will obtain IP settings automatically if there is DHCP server available on the network.

WiFi
The built-in WiFi can operate in either Access Point mode, or Client mode.

Access Point (AP mode)
In access point mode Stardust will create a WiFi network that your phone, tablet, etc could connect to. This is handy for instance for iPad-based lighting control apps, that can send data to Stardust directly over WiFi.

In AP mode you need to do the following settings:

• SSID (the name of the network)
• Password
• IP settings
• DHCP (if the DHCP server shall be enabled or not)

Client mode
In client mode, the Stardust tries to connect to the specified WiFi network.

• SSID (the name of the network to join)
• Password
• IP settings (static or DHCP)

RDM
Stardust allows the user to use any controllers supporting RDM over ArtNet to discover, configure and monitor downstream RDM devices. This is supported for outputs configured for the ArtNet protocol when RDM is enabled in the settings menu.

Monitor receiver signal quality
With the use of RDM, it is possible to monitor the downstream receivers’ signal quality if they support RDM. Each receiver presents a sensor with the current signal quality level.

Battery backup
Stardust comes with a built-in battery backup for uninterrupted operation. When fully charged, the unit can operate for up to 20 minutes. The device will automatically shut down when it detects the battery is reaching a level where normal operaton is no longer assured. Battery backup can be enabled or disabled.

Note:
Battery backup is not available when the unit is configured for operation at 280mW output power.

Turning the device off
When external power is plugged in, the unit will always be on. When operating from the built-in battery, the unit can be turned off by selecting the Power off option in the main menu.

Charging the Battery
The battery will automatically charge whenever external power is connected to the device. If the battery is completely depleted it takes approx two hours for it to fully charge.

Compliance information

CE
This product complies with the Essential Requirements of RED (Radio Equipment Directive) of the European Union (2014/53/EU). This product meets the requirements of relevant conformance standards. A detailed Declaration of Conformity is available upon request from the manufacturer.

UKCA
This product complies with the relevant statutory requirements in the United Kingdom. This product meets the requirements of relevant conformance standards. A detailed Declaration of Conformity is available for market surveillance upon request from the manufacturer.

FCC

FCC IDENTIFIERS: XRSTIMOMWAN301, 2ABCB-RPIRM0

FCC Information to User
This product does not contain any user-serviceable components and is to be used with approved antennas only. Any product changes or modifications will invalidate all applicable regulatory certifications and approvals.

FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20 cm between the radiator and your body. This transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

FCC Declaration of Conformity
We LumenRadio AB, Svangatan 2B, 416 68 Gothenburg, Sweden, declare under our sole responsibility that this product complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful interference, and
• This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FCC Radio Frequency Interference Warnings & Instructions
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following methods:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
• Connect the equipment to an electrical outlet on a circuit different from that which the radio receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Modifications made to the product, unless expressly approved by LumenRadio AB, could void the user’s right to operate the equipment.

Industry Canada
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

Accessories
All accessories can be ordered from your local CRMX distributor.

Order code               Description

• 800-2204           Stardust Rack Mounting Kit 800-2206
• 800-2206          TNG Wall Mounting Kit
• 800-2208           TNG V-mount Battery mount

References

• Stardust - LumenRadio

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