Daktronics CE-1010 - Manual (Page 7)

Introduction 1-3
DataTrac displays are character-based indoor LED displays, which are available in
tri-color (red, green and amber) characters. This display family is for 5x7 single-
stroke fonts. Daktronics offers the DataTrac displays with a 1.2", 2.1", 3.2", or 4.2"
character height in various lengths. The DataTrac model numbers are described as
follows: CE-1010-RRR-CCC-HH-XX
CE = Panelized DataTrac Display
1010 = 1010-Panelized with screen
RRR = Number of rows of characters—1.2 available in 8 and 12 high sections; 2.1 available in
4, 8 and 12 high sections; 3.2 and 4.2 available in 4 or 6 high sections
CCC = Number of columns of characters—1.2 and 2.1 available in 24 and 30 character
sections; 3.2 available in 18 and 24 character sections; 4.2 available in 12 and18
character sections
HH = Character height—1.2, 2.1, 3.2 or 4.2
XX = RG=Tri-color (red, green and amber)
1.3 Network Concepts
The concept of using LED displays as a cost effective, high impact method of
communication is rapidly growing throughout many industries and businesses. The
reasons for this growth are many, but the need for additional features and complexity
of multiple sign installations has emerged, and the Daktronics display systems have
been designed to meet those needs. The common thread to most clients’ requests is a
means of programming and controlling a group of signs from a central control point.
Daktronics responded by developing a powerful system of interconnecting and
controlling signs. Great care has been taken to design products that will satisfy a
wide variety of installations. Some of the design goals of these systems include the
following:
•
Easy transfer of messages
• The ability to tell a sign in the network which message it should run
• The ability to determine the status of any sign on the network
•
The ability to control multiple sign technologies on the same network
All of the programming features would seem insignificant if the installation of the
systems could not be accomplished with basic tools and without technical difficulty.
Daktronics decided to use the very popular and readily available RJ11 connector.
This connector is also used on modern home and office telephone equipment.
All that is required for signal installation is standard six (6) conductor modular
telephone wire. For some installations, it may be possible to buy pre-terminated
telephone cables for use with the displays.
The DataTrac CE-1010 display uses a RS422 networking system. RS422 (EIA/TIA-
422-B) is a standard communication interface that utilizes a differential balanced
transmission scheme, which uses a typical maximum cable length of 1.2 km
(approximately 4000 feet). The main advantage of RS422 over RS232 is the longer
cable length that is possible. A signal converter is needed to convert the computer’s
RS232 to RS422.