GPIO (Core 510i, 1100, 3100, I/O Frame)

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 and 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, and temperature and humidity sensors.

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. You can configure these pins to be Inputs, Outputs, Digital, Analog, Clocks, and so on.

The GPIO is protected by self-resetting fuses.

GPIO Core 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 Network Redundant

Indicates if the amplifier is connected to redundant networks.

Slot A-H

Card Type

Identifies the type of I/O card installed in the physical Core. After you make your selection, the I/O card displays under the Core in the Inventory list. The number of I/O Slots varies depending on the Core Model. Choices of I/O card installed are:

• Blank
• Line Out
• Mic/Line in H.P.
• DataPort Out
• AES3 In/Out
• Mic/Line In Std.
• CobraNet
• Dante
• AVB
• 16-Channel AES3 In
• POTS

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.

GPIO 1-8 (DA-15 Pins)

The Controls are displayed in GPIO Pin number order, 1 through 8, from left to right in the Control Panel with the related DA-15 pin number listed. The DA-15 pin / GPIO pin number relationship can change based on the controls assigned to the GPIO pins.

General

Relay

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

• RNO 1 (Relay Normally Open on DA-15 Pin 1)
• RNC 2 (Relay Normally Closed on DA-15 Pin 2)
• RC 9 (Relay Common on DA-15 Pin 9)

Digital In (Indicator) 

This LED lights when there is a Digital input of 1 (3.3 V TTL) present.

Analog In (VDC)

This is a read-only knob that displays the DC voltage applied to the GPIO pin.

Digital Out

This toggle button supplies a 0 in the Off position and a 1 in the On position.

PWM Duty (Percentage)

Sets the percentage of a period when the pulse is positive.

PWM Frequency (Hz)

Sets the period time. (1 / frequency). Affects all PWM outputs.

The GPIO pins display as control pins on the GPIO component and are always present except when "Unused" is selected for a pin's Direction. The GPIO pins are not used to change controls in the Control Panel. Some of the Direction/Type combinations provide Control Pins you can use to change the Controls within the Control Panel.

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.

Q-SYS device GPIO output states are undefined during boot-up and design redeploy. In the following table, "While On" and "While Off" indicate the button setting as defined in the running design file. During a reboot or redeploy, the setting may toggle depending on the GPIO type before returning to the defined setting after the design starts running.

Bold text indicates a temporary GPIO setting during boot-up and redeploy.