GPIO (DCIO/DCIO-H)

This topic describes how to configure and control the General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) hardware interface using Q-SYS Designer for the DCIO and DCIO-H.

The General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) Controller is used to integrate Q-SYS with custom or third-party controls. Using the GPIO you can control external hardware and certain aspects of Q-SYS using external hardware.

The GPIO Interface is physical hardware, and is represented in Q-SYS Designer by the GPIO component. There is one GPIO component available in each DCIO / DCIO-H component added to the Inventory. There are six GPI pins representing the Automation Inputs RJ-45 and four GPO Relay pins representing the two six-position Euro-style connectors. In addition, there is a Level Knob and a Mute Button, each having input and output control pins. These controls are connected to the Mute and Level controls on the front panel of the DCIO. Refer to the Properties section in this topic for details.

The GPIO control pins on the GPIO component can be displayed (used) or not displayed (not used) by settings in the Properties.

Properties

DCIO Properties

Name

The Name may contain ASCII letters 'a' through 'z' (case-insensitive), the digits '0' through '9', and the hyphen. Names cannot begin or end with a hyphen. No other symbols, punctuation characters, or blank spaces are permitted.

Note: This name must match the Hostname for the device as defined in Core Manager or Peripheral Manager.

Location

User-defined name that groups the component with other components in the same physical location – for example, "Rack 1" – or in the same organizational scheme.

Is Required

When enabled, and the device is not found on the network, the device is reported as 'Missing', which is an error condition. This is the default behavior. When disabled, and the device is not found on the network, the device is reported as 'Not Present', which is not an error condition.

Dynamically Paired

Indicates that this virtual component can be paired with the same type of hardware without changing the network ID of the hardware or the name of this component. Refer to the Q-SYS Core Manager Dynamic Pairing topic for more information. The default is 'No'.

Use Frontpanel

Controls the display of the Mute button and the Level knob in the GPIO control panel.

Use Relays

Controls the display of Relay buttons in the GPIO control panel.

Use GPIO

Controls the display of the Mute button and the Level knob in the GPIO control panel.

GPIO Input Type

Selects the type of GPIO Input. You can choose between Contact Closure Input and Digital Input (TTL 3.3V).

Graphic Properties

Label

Use the Label property to change the name of the component in the schematic. The Label property defaults to the component name. To learn more about renaming schematic elements, see Organizing Your Design.

Position

The coordinates reference a specific place in the schematic - for example,"100,100" (horizontal, vertical). 0,0 is the upper left corner of the schematic.

Fill

Sets the fill color of the component in the schematic.

Script Access Properties

Code Name

Displays the currently assign name for control access. You can use the auto-assigned name or customize it. Q-SYS will automatically check all Code Names in the design to ensure name is unique.

Script Access

Defines whether the component will be accessible by script and/or externally, or not at all. Choices include All, External, None (default), and Script.

None (default) - Not accessible by any script, plugin, or by Q-SYS Remote Control Protocol (QRC).
Script - Can be accessed by scripts, such as Text Controller, Block Controllers, and plugins only.
External - Can only be accessed by 3rd party controls systems using component commands from the Q-SYS Remote Control Protocol (QRC).
All - No restrictions, can be accessed by 3rd party control systems via Q-SYS Remote Control Protocol (QRC), or script objects or plugin objects.

Tip: Use Script Programmer Mode to quickly view the Script Access setting directly on the component in the design schematic without the need to disconnect from the Q-SYS Core processor.

Controls

The numbered Controls are displayed in Relay (1 thru 4) and GPIO (1 thru 6) pin-number order. The numbers are the physical pin numbers.

General

Mute (Frontpanel)

This Mute button mutes the main output; it functions the same as the Mute button on the front panel.

Level (Frontpanel) (dB)

This Level knob controls the level of the main output; it functions the same as the Level knob on the front panel.

Relay Outputs (1-4)

The function of the Relay button is to open and close the contacts of the relay on the GPIO Interface.

NC – Relay 1 (3) Normally Closed Pin 1

NO – Relay 1 (3) Normally Open Pin 2

C – Relay 1 (3) Common Pin 3

NC – Relay 2 (4) Normally Closed Pin 4

NO – Relay 2 (4) Normally Open Pin 5

C – Relay 2 (4) Common Pin 6

Rear Panel

GPIO Inputs (1-6)

There are 6 GPInputs. The green LED illuminates when there is a digital high on the associated pin. The following list is describing the input connector on the rear panel.

Automation Inputs (RJ-45)
Pin #	Description
1	GPI 1
2	GPI 2
3	GPI 3
4	GPI 4
5	GPI 5
6	GPI 6
7	Unused
8	Ground