About the IOTA Controller

The IOTA Controller is a hardware device that you can pair with Dragon Stop Motion to:

• Configure multiple interocular distances and fully automate 3D shooting.
• Automate a bash light turning on and off.
• Automate front-light/back-light lighting passes.
• Automate keyframe-based lighting programs for your scene.
• Trigger a RED camera, film camera, or unsupported still camera.
• Trigger a motion-control system for shoot-move-shoot integration.
• Trigger Dragon Stop Motion from an external system.

IOTA 3D Slider + IOTA Controller Bundle

The IOTA Controller is designed to work with the IOTA 3D Sterescopic Slider, a high-precision slider from motion control experts General Lift. Buy them bundled together for $1695 USD.

Control Lighting

DMX512 (or DMX) is a standard protocol for controlling lighting. When paired with one or more DMX dimmer/switch packs, you can control up to 99 different light channels.

Control Devices

Interact with external devices using the built-in relay switch, digital input and digital output.

What else do I need?

The IOTA Controller interfaces Dragon Stop Motion to one or more DMX dimmer/switch packs. You will need to buy a DMX dimmer/switch pack in order to power your lights. You can find several DMX dimmer packs at Amazon.com. Make sure that the one you choose can handle the power requirements of your lights.

You will also need a cable. If you use a 3-pin DMX dimmer pack, you can use any standard XLR microphone cable. If you use a 5-pin DMX dimmer pack, you will need a 5-pin to 3-pin adapter.

• Buy Now US$1695 (IOTA Slider & Controller)
• Buy Now US$750 (IOTA Controller only)

Front and Back Panels

Just need lighting automation?

If you do not need 3D stepper controls, check out DDMX-S2, our new DMX and digital I/O controller.

Technical Specifications

Physical
9.4" x 5.1" x 2.2" ( 24cm x 13cm x 6 cm ), 2.4lbs ( 1.1K ). The IOTA controller is built in a .080" (2mm) thick, hard black anodized, extruded aluminum case, to survive years of service on stage. The enclosure feet are a non-marking synthetic rubber.

Power
The IOTA controller features a universal 100/120/220/240V power supply with a standard IEC/C-13 (office equipment style) connector for easy operation where.

Motor Drive
2x nominal 24V, 0.8A 2 phase microstepped motor drive (1600 steps internally / 2000 externally), chopped and regenerated @ 33Khz. Modulated to 75% at idle. The motor drivers are well protected against external transients.

USB
The USB port is a standard "type B" port, compatible with USB2, but operating at USB1 speeds. The controller uses the industry-standard FTDI serial device driver.

DMX out
USITT compatible port w/ 3 pin XLR. 199 slots (1-99 echoed twice, once autoramped, once instant) with a 50mS packet rate. Drives 120 ohm USITT termination.

Logic out
The logic ports provide both active-high and active-low TTL level signals and are capable of driving into 120 ohms. Signals are referenced to box ground.

Switch in
The switch input can be used to sense a switch closure or a logic-level signal from an external device. When used as a logic in, signal polarity is active low. When used as an input this pin should not be driven by more than 5 volts.

Relay out
The relay out is meant to provide a method of initiating a switch closure on external equipment. Do not exceed 1 amp @ 48 volts.

Support Files
The IOTA Controller uses special 8-pin connectors for the stepper motors. Here is the cable diagram.