THE MAGAZINE FOR COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
Circuit Cellar Online offers articles illustrating creative solutions
and unique applications through complete projects, practical
tutorials, and useful design techniques.

AN ELECTRONIC LITESHOW DISPLAY

Part 1ýThe Electronics Behind the Lights
by James Antonakos

Start ý The Big Picture ý Inside a Panel ý The Driver Board ý 64-Bit Shift Register Board ý Interfacing with the PC ý A Little Math ý The Real Thing ý Sources and PDF

INTERFACING WITH THE PC

One goal of the LiteShow display project was to use the PC printer port to control it. This created a need to convert the TTL printer outputs to the same ý12-V levels required by each panel. Figure 7 shows the schematic of the serial line driver circuit connected between the PC and panel one. The 1488 line driver converts from TTL to ý12 V to drive the cable to panel one. Three LEDs are used to indicate the status of the three control signals (Serial Data, Clock, and Latch). The LEDs are used to provide a visual indicator that the PC is outputting data. This circuit was wire-wrapped and mounted in a plastic case with its own power supply.

PREVIOUS • NEXT