Arduino / Renard Mashup??

[Alphageek]

Anyone have thoughts on this that might help me?

Background:
I'm planning on some Renard boxes for my display later this year. 2013 will be my first year. I have a bunch of lights bought on clearance, but won't be doing any pixels for the show (might get a few to play with, but thats it).

In the meantime, I am thinking of making up a "live demo" board to test/play with. My idea of this is that I can make a mockup of the setup I will have (something like the preview, but with hardware, not just an image). It will also be a way to consider adding in Arduino controllers to the setup for other thoughts for the show if it works well (things that won't be using big power AC controllers).

So my thought is this:
Drive it with an Arduino Uno. Setup with RS485 and have the Uno coded to read Renard protocol. For outputs, chain together TLC5940s as output (16 PWM channels per chip, chainable). By doing this the Arduino can "act" like Renard hardware and I can use single color LEDs to simulate my setup.

This is a playground for me, but may expand into "real" show if it works well.

So.... Am I nuts? Is this silly? Is there anything that I've missed that someone has done (I think the Renard has been done, and the 5940 library is out there - so much of the guts is ready)...

Thanks!

[Materdaddy]

I don't think this is nuts. As for code to have the uno read renard protocol, you can use mine which is posted about half way down this page: http://christmasonquiethills.com/other-projects/horae/

[Alphageek]

Thanks!! I"ll take a look at that - Definately going to be my first step..

[ukewarrior]

This seems like a good application for the gemmy pixels.
There is already arduino code that has cracked the gemmy LED strip protocol:
http://forums.adafruit.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=33927
And we have Renard code available:
http://christmasonquiethills.com/other-projects/horae/
With Renard on the back end and 'gemmy pixel protocol' on the back end, that would be awesome!

The question would be: How many gemmy pixels can be driven at still keep up with the Reading and potential retransmission of Renard code on the front end?

[Materdaddy]

This seems like a good application for the gemmy pixels.
There is already arduino code that has cracked the gemmy LED strip protocol:
http://forums.adafruit.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=33927
And we have Renard code available:
http://christmasonquiethills.com/other-projects/horae/
With Renard on the back end and 'gemmy pixel protocol' on the back end, that would be awesome!

The question would be: How many gemmy pixels can be driven at still keep up with the Reading and potential retransmission of Renard code on the front end?

This is a good question. I don't have any Gemmy pixels, but have thought about seeing how many GECEs I can reliably control with an Arduino. I just haven't had time!

[Alphageek]

Well, I wasn't planning on using pixels. My original thought was "dumb" LEDs.... But I just happened to pick up 2 25 bulb GECE by luck. Therefore I might try a 50 channel "simulator" with those first.