Daktronics S-100/S-200 - Manual (Page 11)

Introduction
1-5
was designed for computer communication at short distances. All computers have an RS232
communications port. Refer to Drawing A-91388.
RS422 Network
RS422 (EIA/TIA-422-B) is a standard communication interface that utilizes a differential balanced
transmission scheme that uses a typical maximum cable length of 1.2 km (approximately 4000
feet). The main advantage to RS422 over RS232 is the longer cable length that is possible. A signal
converter is needed to convert the computer’s RS232 to RS422. Refer to Drawing A-91387.
Modem Network
The modem is a standard communication interface that utilizes standard phone transmission lines.
The phone company assigns each phone line a number that the modem uses to communicate
between controller and display. Refer to Drawing A-91386.
TCP/IP Network
The TCP/IP protocol is an interface allowing the Ethernet network card (installed in the operator’s
computer) to communicate with the serial server via a Local Area Network (LAN). Information
for the individual displays is distributed from the serial server’s RS232 and output. Refer to
Drawing A-93904.
1.4 Display Overview
The Daktronics Indoor LED displays have been designed and manufactured for performance,
reliability, easy maintenance and long life. The displays consist of an array of LED pixels. The
configuration of the LED pixels is dependent on the family of LED displays. The standard character is
seven pixels high by five pixels wide.
A typical system consists of a Windows

-based personal computer (PC) running Venus

1500
software and one or more displays. The PC controls one ore more DataTrac displays. The displays are
offered as single -face displays, which are single -sided stand-alone units. They can become double -
faced by mounting them back-to-back with a second unit.
The Venus 1500 is a software package that runs under Windows 3.1x or Windows 95

operating
systems on an IBM-compatible computer. Refer to the Venus 1500 controller manual, ED-12717, for
installation and maintenance of the Venus 1500 editing station.
DataTrac displays are character-based indoor LED displays that are available in monochrome red or
tri-color (red, green and amber) characters. This display family is for 5x7 single -stroke fonts and
graphic fonts. Daktronics offers the DataTrac displays with a 0.7
@, 1.2@ or 2.1@ character in various
lengths. The DataTrac model numbers are described as follows: S-X00-LLL-CCC-DD
S = DataTrac Display
X00 = 100 = Indoor Monochrome Red
200 = Indoor Tri-Color (Red, Green, Amber)
LLL = Number of Lines Tall (4, 8 and 12 are available)
CC
C
= Number of Characters per Line (18, 24, 30, 36, 42 or 48)
DD = Character Height (0.7”, 1.2” or 2.1”)