Aether DMX | AI-Powered Architectural Lighting Control

# Specifications & FAQ ## System Specifications ### Portal (Controller) | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Recommended Hardware | AETHER Portal | | Operating System | AETHER OS | | Display | 7" touchscreen (800x480) for kiosk mode, or any browser for remote access | | WiFi | 2.4 GHz 802.11n access point (built-in) | | Power | USB-C, 5V 5A recommended | | Storage | 32GB+ microSD card | | Connectivity | WiFi AP + optional Ethernet for venue network | ### Pulse Node (DMX Output) | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Microcontroller | AETHER Pulse Node | | DMX Output | 1 universe (512 channels) per node | | DMX Connector | 5-pin XLR (industry standard) | | Protocol | AETHER UDPJSON v2 over WiFi | | Fallback | Wired UART DMX (auto-detected) | | Power | USB-C, 5V | | Firmware | Auto-updates from Portal | ### Seance Bridge (Range Extender) | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Microcontroller | Seance Bridge Module | | Function | WiFi range extender for Pulse nodes | | Power | USB-C, 5V | ### Performance | Metric | Value | |--------|-------| | DMX Refresh Rate | 40 Hz (25ms per frame) | | Maximum Universes | Limited by Pulse node count (1 per node) | | Practical Node Limit | ~20 nodes per Portal | | Control Latency | < 5ms typical (direct WiFi) | | Fade Resolution | Hardware interpolation (smooth at all speeds) | | Crash Recovery | < 3 seconds (automatic via systemd watchdog) | *** ## Frequently Asked Questions ### General **What is AETHER?** AETHER is a WiFi-based DMX512 lighting control system. It replaces traditional wired DMX consoles with an AETHER Portal controller and wireless Pulse nodes. You control everything through a web interface on any device — the Portal's touchscreen, your phone, a tablet, or a laptop. **Do I need internet access?** No. AETHER creates its own dedicated WiFi network and works entirely offline. Internet is only needed for optional features like cloud backups, AI cloud mode, and software updates. **What fixtures does AETHER support?** Any standard DMX512 fixture. This includes LED pars, moving heads, wash lights, strip lights, fog machines, and any other equipment that accepts DMX input. AETHER includes a built-in fixture library and supports GDTF fixture profiles for automatic configuration. **Can I use my existing DMX fixtures?** Yes. If your fixture has a DMX input (typically a 3-pin or 5-pin XLR connector), it works with AETHER. Each Pulse node outputs one universe of DMX over a standard XLR cable to your fixtures. ### Setup **How many Pulse nodes do I need?** One Pulse node per DMX universe. If all your fixtures fit in one universe (512 channels), you need one node. Most small to medium installations use 2–4 nodes. **How far apart can Pulse nodes be from the Portal?** Standard WiFi range applies — typically 20–30 meters indoors, depending on walls and interference. For larger venues, add a Seance bridge to extend range. Position the bridge halfway between the Portal and distant nodes. **Can I control AETHER from my phone?** Yes. Connect your phone to the AetherDMX WiFi network and open http://192.168.50.1:3000 in any browser. The interface automatically adapts to your screen size. No app download required. **Can multiple people control AETHER at the same time?** Yes, multiple devices can access the interface simultaneously. AETHER uses a priority system to handle conflicting commands — the most recent manual input takes priority. ### During Shows **What happens if the Portal loses power?** AETHER saves state continuously. When power returns, the Portal automatically restarts within 45 seconds and resumes from its last saved state. The systemd watchdog ensures the software restarts within 3 seconds of any crash. **What happens if a Pulse node disconnects?** The system detects stale nodes within 30 seconds and stops sending DMX data to them. Other nodes continue operating normally. If the node reconnects, it's automatically picked up again. The fixtures connected to the disconnected node will hold their last DMX values (standard DMX behavior) or go to blackout after the fixture's own timeout. **Can I override a running show?** Yes. Manual fader control and blackout always take priority over automated playback. Grabbing a fader or pressing blackout immediately overrides any running show, sequence, or effect. **Is there a blackout button?** Yes, available in the Console view and accessible from any screen. Blackout instantly sets all channels to zero across all universes. It's the highest-priority command in the system. ### AI Features **What can the AI assistant (LUX) do?** LUX understands natural language commands for lighting control. You can describe scenes ("warm sunset on stage"), request changes ("make it bluer"), build sequences ("create a slow chase across all pars"), and ask questions about your setup. LUX knows your fixture patch and saved looks. **Does the AI require internet?** LUX supports three modes. Local mode handles basic commands entirely offline. Hybrid mode uses cloud AI when available and falls back to local. Cloud mode always uses the cloud AI for the most capable responses. You choose which mode to use in Settings. ### Technical **What DMX protocol does AETHER use internally?** AETHER uses its own UDPJSON v2 protocol over WiFi between the Portal and Pulse nodes. Each Pulse node converts this to standard DMX512 output. The protocol includes ACK verification for critical commands and fire-and-forget for normal frames (the 40Hz refresh rate provides natural error correction). **Can AETHER work alongside traditional DMX consoles?** Not on the same universe — each Pulse node outputs one complete DMX universe from AETHER. However, you can use AETHER for some universes and a traditional console for others, as long as they're driving separate fixtures. **Is the software open source?** The AETHER project is hosted on GitHub under the Aether-DMX organization. Check the repository for current license details.