GPIO Interface

GPIO Interface

This topic describes the General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) hardware interfaces available in Q-SYS. Refer to the GPIO topic for information about configuring and controlling the GPIO interfaces in a Q-SYS system.

The General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) interface is used to integrate Q-SYS with custom or third-party controls. The GPIO allows you to control external hardware, control certain aspects of Q-SYS using external hardware. In addition, you can use the GPIO to supply an external word clock to Q-SYS for synchronization. Refer to the Core Status topic for details. The GPIO selections require an external TTL level word clock: pin 3 is signal, pin 8 is ground. When you select GPIO A-1 or GPIO B-1 as the clock source, the respective GPIO 1 Property changes to "Input used as clock source". The clock source should be connected to pin 3 of the respective GPIO connector - either GPIO A or GPIO B.

NOTE:  Typically, Internal is used as the clock source. Only if there is a need to synchronize the Q-SYS system to an external clock would you use GPIO or AES3. You would use GPIO if the external clock signal is a word clock. You would use AES3 if the external clock signal is an AES3 signal. Often an AES3 signal without audio is used to reduce the clock jitter. This signal is called AES3 black.

Some examples of hardware to which you can connect are: Potentiometers, buttons, switches, LED/lights, motors (including fans) relays, temperature and humidity sensors, etc.

The GPIO interface is physical hardware, and is represented in Q-SYS Designer by the GPIO component. There are two GPIO interfaces available in a Core, and one in an I/O Frame. The external connection to the GPIO interface is supplied via a standard DA-15 connector. A GPIO component is configured in Q-SYS Designer (GPIO component Properties) where there are eight configurable pins that represent and configure GPIO-1 through GPIO-8 in the DA-15 connector. Refer to the GPIO Connector Pinout for more information.

The GPIO is protected by self-resetting fuses.

GPIO DA-15 Connector Pinout for Cores and I/O Frames

DB-15 Pin #

Signal Name

Signal Type

Description

1

RNO

Relay Contact

Relay Normally Open 1

2

RNC

Relay Contact

Relay Normally Closed 1

3

GPIO-1

Normal Current

Configurable 2

4

GPIO-3

Normal Current

Configurable

5

Power

Power

+12 VDC

6

GPIO-5

High Current

Configurable

7

GPIO-7

High Current

Configurable

8

GND

Ground

Ground

9

RC

Relay Common

Relay Common 1

10

GND

Ground

Ground

11

GPIO-2

Normal Current

Configurable

12

GPIO-4

Normal Current

Configurable

13

Power

Power

+12 VDC

14

GPIO-6

High Current

Configurable

15

GPIO-8

High Current

Configurable

1. The GPIO Relay is controlled in a Q-SYS Design.
2. When Using a Word Clock. The GPIO input impedance is much higher than what would normally be required to terminate a word clock signal. QSC recommends using a termination resistor between pin 3 and ground (pin 8 or 10). The resistor value should match the cable impedance. If the cable impedance is unknown, use 75 Ohm. Refer to the GPIO component for more information about external clocks.
Specifications - Cores and I/O Frames
Name Normal Current Pins High Current Pins

Maximum Input Range

0 V to 32 V

0 V to 32 V

Analog Input Range

0 V to 24 V

0 V to 24 V

Digital Input, Low

0.8 V maximum

0.8 V maximum

Digital Input, High

2.0 V minimum

2.0 V minimum

Digital Output, Low

0.4 V maximum

0.4 V maximum

Digital Output, High

2.4 V minimum, 3.3 V maximum

2.4 V minimum, 3.3 V maximum

Digital Output Impedance

1 k ohm

1 k ohm

High Current Output, Low

N/A

0.4 V maximum

High Current Output, High

N/A

11 V minimum, 13 V maximum

High Current Output sink

280 mA

280 mA

High Current Output source

N/A

280 mA

Specifications - Cores and I/O Frames

Relay Pins

Maximum Voltage, relative to Ground

30 V

Maximum Current through Relay

1 Amp

Power Pins

Output Voltage

11 V min

13 V max

Maximum Output Current

400 mA

All Power and High Current pins combined

Maximum Source Current

400 mA

All GPIO Pins 1 through 8 combined

Maximum Sink Current

1 A using 1 GND pin

2 A using 2 GND pins

Example Applications

Button or Potentiometer

LED - Light - Motor

Directional Motor

Rotary Encoder

Rotary Switch

All resistors should have the same value. The total resistance should be about 10K Ohms. The individual resistor value should be 10,000 divided by the number of resistors. The schematic is an example only, and could easily be modified to have more switch positions or use multiple momentary buttons instead of a rotary switch.

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