I'm needing guidance with this project. I'm wanting to build a sequencer that will allow me to launch fireworks timed to music. I plan on having an Arduino read a timing file and send code down some Cat5 cable to the separately powered 8x8 matrix. I have put together a schematic of the 8x8 matrix circuit that will be controlled by the microprocessor. Can someone review the schematic and let me know if it is sound in principal. The schematic is not even close to being professional, so, if you can offer advice on how I can improve if, please do. Since this if for a firework display and I'm not going to make it for this 4th of July, I'm shooting for New Years. If anybody is interested, I've provided a zip of the current KiCad project files. Please feel free to review them as well and offer any advice or critisism. I'm a noob at all this and can use the help and guidance.
8x8 matrix 12v dc power module.zip (47.4 KB)
8x8 matrix 12v dc power module.pdf (86.7 KB)
I've provided a zip of the current KiCad project files.
Apparently, your attachment didn't "stick"....
I probably wouldn't wire it as a matrix, even if the display is physically arranged like a matrix (which it probably isn't).
You can use [u]serial multiplexing[/u] to control an almost unlimited number of outputs with only 3 control lines from the Arduino.
Since serial shift registers can be daisy-chained, it's possible to build something that's expandable where you could simply plug-in more remote firing modules if you wanted to expand beyond 64 channels in the future. That might not make sense with a manual control console, but if the thing is totally software controlled it might be worth considering.
I've got a lighting effect where I can individually-address 48 LEDs this way. It's a stereo sound-activated effect, so I actually use 4 control lines (separate data lines for left & right with both channels sharing clock and latch lines). In my setup, each channel has 3 daisy-chained 8-Port LED drivers. (But, my setup does not have an "output" connection so it's not expandable without re-wiring.)
I'm also using networking cables with the "extra" conductors used for power and ground. The RJ45 sockets can be a pain to wire-up reliably & mount if they are not mounted on a circuit board (and I've tried a couple different kinds). I'm thinking about replacing the sockets with dangling RJ45 plugs made by chopping-up networking cables. Then I'll make the cable connection with an inline coupler.
Since this if for a firework display and I'm not going to make it for this 4th of July, I'm shooting for New Years.
I'm always paranoid about live events and I'm especially paranoid about one-time live events... So, you might want to build two of these things (it's really not twice the work to build 2 and it's usually not quite twice the cost either). And make sure you have spare cables and everything.... And, I suggest trying it out with igniters-only (or with something small) with it set-up and in-place a few hours before the show.
Thanks for the reply DVDdoug. I have attached the files. Not sure what happened when I first went through the motions.
I am using two 595 shift registers in this design. one to control the rows and one to control the columns. It seems to me a practical approach to use two 8 bit shift registers to control 64 ports vs 8 serially linked shift registers (if I correctly understand your description). Have a look at the schematic and let me know if it is sound.
I'm starting to work on the design of the actual 64 ports. It is really dependent on the terminals I can find. I'd like to use the spring loaded stereo speaker terminals, but I can't find them in the right configuration, so, I'm keeping my options open. One thing I never thought about until doing this project is how the design evolves with each part decision.