BlinkenWall

BlinkenWall is a pixelwall which comprises 23040 LEDs. The wall itself is a Lumino production from 1986, originally controlled by several Z80s. By degrees, more and more bits broke down, the power supply unit was faulty, the whole Z80-stuff too slow and the wall interface no longer useful. Thus, StefanSchuermans and SaschaLudwig integrated a new controller at a weekend in summer 2005 (24.06.2005 and 25.06.2005). This new controller is based on an 8BitAmEthernet module with an ATMega128 and is adapted to the wall interface by a few changes in hardware and some more in software. The old Z80 controller board is not in use anymore.


Technical Data:

• 240 x 96 Pixel + 2 Pixel LEDs green
• Real Power: 1740 Watt
• Apparent Power: 2417 VA
• Efficiency factor cos. phi: 0,72
• Weight: ca. 485 lb or 200 Kg
• Control: Ethernet 10base-T
• Microcontroller: ATMega128
• Network: Realtek RTL8019AS

History:

• 23.06.2005 Hanging up Blinkenwall in Sascha's cellar with M10 Heavy duty stakes at the concrete ceiling (weight of the wall: 485 lb or 220Kg)

• 24.06.2005 Reverse engeneering of the original control of the wall with Z80, modification of the hardware from 8BitAmEthernet to 16 bit and different stuff

• 25.06.2005 Software development to control the wall, disassembling the old controller,integrating the new one with additional boards, testing in heaps

Pictures you may find at: http://photo.astrastudio.de/v/BlinkenWall

-- SaschaLudwig - 31 May 2006
-- JulianePilster - 29 Jul 2007 (translation)