RBG Laser Projector Wiring

[bsancken]

Could some one please explain the wiring process of going from a ilda cable to a DAC board(any good ones you know of??) to the galvos and to the laser modules...

On a side note what would be a good choice for the laser modules? analoug or TTL?? (or just explain the way you know how to wire it theoretically)

Thanks!!

[swamidog]

it's a ton easier if you use a breakout board.

like this: http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...021#post223021

or like this: http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...421#post214421

i like the etherdream DAC: http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...659#post209659
and LSX for show software: http://www.photonlexicon.com/forums/...021#post193021

here's my youtube channel, if you'd like some examples of what etherdream and LSX can do: https://www.youtube.com/user/swamidog

Could some one please explain the wiring process of going from a ilda cable to a DAC board(any good ones you know of??) to the galvos and to the laser modules...

On a side note what would be a good choice for the laser modules? analoug or TTL?? (or just explain the way you know how to wire it theoretically)

Thanks!!

[ZeroPoint]

im in the process of building a projector and the way I understand the wiring (in its basic form, excluding too many bells and whistles) is this:
1) Computer software generates and sends a digital signal to the DAC
2) The DAC converts the digital signal to analog and sends it to the projector
3) The signal is first received by an ILDA interface board or breakout board which splits and reroutes the different signals to the necessary components (i.e. LD drivers, galvo drivers)
i) the signal travels from the interface board to the laser drivers which then modulate an output signal to the lasers themselves
ii) the signal travels from the interface board to the galvo amps/drivers which modify an output signal to be used by the galvos themselves.

I only have experience with two DACs. one being the Chinese made iShow DAC and the second being the FB3 QuickShow DAC by Pangolin. i wont even touch the iShow DAC anymore but the FB3 wasn't exactly cheap either. I'm sure others (like Swamidog) can offer much more economical suggestion that provide much better performance than the iShow interface at a cheaper price than the FB3.

Choosing between Analog and TTL comes down to what you want to do with your laser and if you're willing to spend a little more for better quality. TTL is cheaper and perfectly fine for beamshows but doesn't allow for nearly the amount of coloring as analog. Analog modules are generally a little more expensive than TTL modules but offer better performance. The same goes for the laser drivers. There isnt really a big difference in the wiring between TTL and analog that I know of. both modules still need to be powered by a driver and the driver still needs a signal from the DAC via an ILDA interface board. The only difference (to the best of my knowlegde) is the use of a modulation wire connected between the interface and the laser driver. TTL lasers and drivers only require power and ground because they only operate in an on/off mode (generally 5v/0v respectively). the modulation line of an analog driver provides a varying signal that allows varying output intensity of the laser to achieve different shades when combining colors (the signal generally ranges from 0v-5v and anywhere in between). like i mentioned earlier, TTL is cheaper and works fine for beamshows but for higher quality graphics projections analog would be the way to go. Hope that helps. -Luke