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Glenn Vassallo edited this page Jul 28, 2015 · 38 revisions

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You will find the following section below to help you understand, setup and install LightServer.

  1. LightServer Introduction
  2. Software and Hardware Prerequisites
  3. Installation and Setup Steps

LightServer Introduction

What is LightServer?

LightServer is a Wifi enabled embedded device which controls RGB Intelligent lighting in various ways. You can control the lights via iOS Apps or via a webpages that are on the device.

The quickest way to understand what LightServer does, is to view the demos on Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/album/3015956

iOS Apps

A number of iOS Apps have been developed that make controlling the lights super simple. These are available on the App Store. If you do not have an iOS device, or if you do not wish to purchase the iOS Apps, you can still control the lights via any web browser. Though some features, for example music synchronization are only possible via the iOS Apps.

LightKit is the main app, which has many features which are listed below. There is also LightTunes, which is a dedicated music synchronization app and LightDrum, which is an interactive Light and Drum App. What makes LightServer special is the Apps, which include 1000s of hours of coding to build Apps that make controlling RGB lights simple.

##LightKit Feature Lists

The main app is LightKit. This is the app that makes LightServer special and super simple to control. Here is an outlines of the LightKit feature list.

Home:

  • Scenes: Save 6 lighting scenes, which can be instantly recalled when desired. Set the right lighting atmosphere for the moment, mood lighting to rave party.
  • Lights: Connect as many lights as you wish, you can control in a group or individually.
  • Random: Quickly create scenes by using the random colors and effect feature.
  • Store: Have a specific scene load when you re-power the device.
  • Add: Simply add a new set of lights to your Wi-Fi network, with a one step process.

Color Wheel:

  • Selection: Select the exact color you want, and run a lighting effect on the color.
  • Banks: Bank A for subtle mood lighting effects, bank B for party lighting effects.
  • Control: Adjust the speed, brightness and direction of the effect.

Candy Cane:

  • Selection: Select up to 5 colors and have different lighting effects run on these colors.
  • Banks: Bank A for subtle mood lighting effects, bank B for party lighting effects.
  • Control: Change speed, direction and brightness of the selected effect.

Music & Microphone:

  • Music: Use music in your music library to create lighting effects.
  • Microphone: Use your devices microphone to create lighting effects.
  • Effects: There are 32 different effects, located in 4 banks.
  • Auto-Sound Levelling: For best result with various volumes, use auto-sound leveling.
  • Auto-Rotate: Automatically rotate through different lighting effects at a set time interval.

Photo Scan:

  • Photo Library: Use photos in your photo library to change the colors of your lights.

Tilt Adjust:

  • Accelerator: Use the devices accelerator to change the light's color.

Sports Teams:

  • Color Database: Select your favorite sports team from our color database and then run lighting effects from its colors.
  • Banks: Bank A for subtle mood lighting effects, bank B for party lighting effects.
  • Control: Change the speed, brightness or direction of the lighting effect.

Events and Nations:

  • Color Database: Select an event or nation and have its colors displayed, these colors can then be effected in various ways.
  • Banks: Bank A for subtle mood lighting effects, bank B for party lighting effects.
  • Control: Change the speed, brightness and direction of the lighting effect.

Effects:

  • 16 Random Color Effects: Randomly create colors to be used in effects, press again to generate new colors.
  • 4 Multi Color Effects: These effects will use many different colors.
  • 2 Set Color Effects: Rainbow and Color Wheel.
  • Control: Adjust the speed, brightness and direction of the lighting effects

Software and Hardware Prerequisites

LightServer Resources

Many resources are contained in the LightServer Resources Reqpository - https://github.com/remixed123/LightServer_Resources

Software Required

You will need to obtain and install each of these software packages.

  1. LightServer Application Binaryhttps://github.com/remixed123/LightServer_Resources/blob/master/LightServer_Tiva_C_CC3100b.bin (Press Raw button to download)
  2. LightServer Web Pages - Only required if you want to control LightServer via a web browser – https://github.com/remixed123/LightServer_Resources/blob/master/LightServerWeb.zip (Press Raw button to download)
  3. Texas Instruments Uniflash for TI Microcontrollers (MCU) and Sitara Processors - http://www.ti.com/tool/uniflash
  4. Texas Instruments UniFlash for the CC3100/CC3200http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/CCS_UniFlash_-_CC3100/CC3200_Edition
  5. Texas Instruments CC3100/CC3200 Firmware Service Packs - http://www.ti.com/tool/cc3100sdk

iOS Control Software

Here are links to the currently published Apps on the iOS App Store.

  1. LightKithttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lightkit-rgb/id914825400?mt=8
  2. LightDrumhttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lightdrum/id915624484?mt=8
  3. LightTuneshttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lighttunes/id915369275?mt=8

If you do not have an iOS device, you can control via the LightServer with any web browser by loading LightServer’s internal webpages. Features are limited, but you can still do many things such as select the colors you want, select effects etc.

Software Required for Development

If you would like to get involved in development, the source code to LightServer has been open sourced and placed in GitHub – https://github.com/remixed123/LightServer

You will also need some tools and resources.

  1. Code Composure Studio v6http://www.ti.com/tool/ccstudio
  2. CC3100 SDK (Software Development Kit) - http://www.ti.com/tool/cc3100sdk

Hardware Items Required

  1. Texas Instruments Tiva C LaunchPadhttps://store.ti.com/Tiva-C-LaunchPad.aspx
  2. Texas Instruments SimpleLink Wi-Fi CC3100 BoosterPack and Advanced Emulation BoosterPack - https://store.ti.com/cc3100boost-cc31xxemuboost.aspx
  3. LightServer BoosterPack - https://github.com/remixed123/LightServer_Resources/blob/master/LightServerBoost.zip (Press Raw to download)
  4. LightServer BoosterPack BOM Itemshttps://github.com/remixed123/LightServer_Resources/blob/master/LightServerBoostBOM.txt
  5. RGB Lights (WS8212B) - Recommended are Seeed Studios (http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/LED-Strip-c-81_79/?ref=side) or Adafruit NeoPixels (https://www.adafruit.com/category/168)
  6. 5v Power Supply - This will need a positive center. We recommend the following for many lights - https://www.adafruit.com/products/658

Installation and Setup Steps

Assemble LightServer BoosterPack

You will need to solder the components onto the LightServer BoosterPack, it is a relatively simple process as there are so few parts.

LightServer BoosterPack PCB LightServer BoosterPack Assembled

Install LightServer Web Pages

Note: This is only required if you want to control LightServer via any web browser. Recommended, well because it is pretty cool and convenient to do so, and is actually needed if you do not have an iOS device.

  1. Make sure that you have connected the CC3100 BoosterPack to the CC3100 Advanced Emulation BoosterPack and plugged the USB Cable into the CC3100 Advanced Emulation BoosterPack. More details available here - http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/CC31xx_Quick_Start_Guide
  2. Before starting you will need to determine the correct COM Port number. This is done by opening Device Manager in Windows Control Panel and obtaining the COM Port Number for the 3rd COM Port in the list of COM Ports.
  3. Obtain the web pages from the LightServer Resource Repository (https://github.com/remixed123/LightServer_Resources/blob/master/LightServerWeb.zip (Press Raw button to download))
  4. Extract the contents of the Zip file into the c:\lightserver folder on your hard drive
  5. Start UniFlash for the CC3100/CC3200. Note: There are 2 different versions of UniFlash, make sure you are using the correct one!
  6. Select File menu and the Open Configuration menu item
  7. In the Open Target Configuration dialog box, select browse and then select c:\lightserver\uniflash_template\ls.ucf file and press OK
  8. Make sure you now change the COM Port number to the one you obtained in step 2 above
  9. Before programming the web pages onto the CC3100 BoosterPack. It is advised that you update the CC3100 BoosterPack with the latest Service Pack.
    1. First format the CC3100 BoosterPack. This is done by selecting the Format option, leaving the default settings and pressing Ok. You may need to press the reset button on the CC3100 Advanced Emulation BoosterPack to begin the programming process.
    1. Now install the CC3100 BoosterPack Service Pack Firmware. Do this by selecting the Service Pack Update option and browsing to the Service Pack you obtained previously. Press OK. You may need to press the reset button on the CC3100 Advanced Emulation BoosterPack to begin the programming process.
  10. Press the Program button to program the web pages onto the CC3100 BoosterPack. You may need to press the reset button on the CC3100 Advanced Emulation BoosterPack to begin the programming process.

Assemble LightServer and Lights

You will now need to assemble all the parts, which involves

  1. Connect the CC3100 BoosterPack to the top of Tiva C LaunchPad. Make sure you have the correct orientation, you can use the writing to make sure it is facinf the same way.
  2. Connect the assembled LightServer BoosterPack to the bottom of the Tiva C LaunchPad. Make sure you have the correct orientation. The Power Connector on the LightServer BoosterPack will be below the USB on the Tiva C LaunchPad.
  3. Connect the RGB lights to the connector on the LightServer BoosterPack
  4. Connect power to the LightServer BoosterPack power connector, making sure it is 5 volt DC.
  5. The light on the Tiva C LaunchPad should now be Red, you are now ready to move onto the next steps.

Here is an image of the completed assembled LightServer

LightServer BoosterPack and Tiva C LaunchPad correct orientation LightServer Fully Assembled

Install LightServer Application Firmware

The application firmware can be installed by using the code or the binary, you will use different tools for these options. If you are not a programmer and are not wishing to make changes to the application code, then it is recommended that you following the Binary Option instructions below. If you are a programmer and want to make changes to the code or learn about the code, then follow the Code Option below.

Installing Application Firmware Binary Option

  1. Make sure you have installed UniFlash (Texas Instruments Uniflash for TI Microcontrollers (MCU) and Sitara Processors Version). Note: There are 2 different versions of UniFlash, make sure you are using the correct one!
  2. Start UniFlash and open
  3. Press New Target Configuration. The Create CCXML File Dialog will then be presented.
  4. Select Stellaris In-Circuit Debug Interface for Connection
  5. Select Tiva TM4C123GH6PM for Board or Device and then select OK
  6. Select the Program menu option and then the select Load Binary Program menu item
  7. In the Open Target Binary dialog box, select Browse and then select LightServer_Tiva_C_CC3100b.bin file (Which you should have obtained from the LightServer Resources Repository previously - https://github.com/remixed123/LightServer_Resources/blob/master/LightServer_Tiva_C_CC3100b.bin (Press Raw button to download))
  8. The Target Core should be Stellaris In-Circuit Debug Interface/CORTEX_M4_0, if not make sure this is selected
  9. Enter 0000 for the Start Address
  10. Press OK.
  11. UniFlash will now program the LightServer Application to the Tiva C LaunchPad
  12. When it return "Operation Writing flash memory returned" you know it has successfully completed the process.

Installing Application Firmware Code Option

Note: This is only required if you intend to develop the code, add features, alter lighting effects etc. To be able to control the lights using the iOS Apps, you will not need to follow these steps. It is assumed that you are experienced with an advanced IDE, as Code Composure Studio (CCS) is based on Eclipse IDE.

  1. Install the CC3100 Software Development Kit (SDK)
  2. Install Code Composure Studio (CCS) v6
  3. From within CCS, select View menu and CCS App Center Option.
  4. Install TI-RTOS for the Tiva C by checking the appropriate box
  5. Import the Project from the LightServer Repository - https://github.com/remixed123/LightServer
  6. Debug the Application by pressing the debug icon, this will also install the LightServer Application on the Tiva C LaunchPad

Install iOS Apps

Install iOS Apps

If you would like to use the iOS apps, you can install them from the AppStore. Search on the following names to find the apps.

  • LightKit RGB - this is the main apps that has most features
  • LightTunes - this is a specialty music synchronization app
  • LightDrum - this is a interactive app that creates lighting effects while playing a virtual drum

Note: All apps are iPhone versions, so if using an iPad make sure you select the iPhone Apps option.

Add LightServer to a Network

You have 2 main option of connecting to LightServer.

  1. Station Mode - This adds LightServer to existing Wifi Network/Router/Access Point. This allows you to use the iOS apps while having your iOS device still connected to the Internet.
  2. Access Point Mode - This turns LightServer into a Wifi Network/Router/Access Point. Which enables directly connecting to LightServer when no Access Point is available.

You have 2 options to join LightServer to an existing Wifi Network/Router/Access Point.

  1. Using SmartConfig - This is a super simple 1 step process. Highly Recommended
  2. Using Access Point Mode - This is done via LightServer internal web pages.

Add LightServer to Wifi Network Using SmartConfig

If you wish to add LightServer to your home Wifi network, this can be accomplished simply from within LightKit.

  1. Make sure LightServer is receiving power and the LED on the Tiva C LaunchPad is lite Red (if not Red, then restart LighServer while holding down the SW2 button)
  2. Start the LightKit App on an iOS Device (iPhone, iPad or iPod)
  3. On the home screen press the + (Add) icon
  4. On the Add New LightServer Screen enter the following details
    1. Password - this is your Wifi Router/Access Point Password
    1. Device Name - this is what ever name you want to call LightServer
  5. Press the SW2 button on the Tiva C LaunchPad, the light on the LaunchPad will turn Yellow
  6. Press Start to begin the SmartConfig process
  7. Once LightServer has been added to the network, you will receive a notification tell you. You will also notice that the LED on the Tiva C LaunchPad will have turn blue.
  8. You will now be able to configure the Lights, this can be done by pressing the Back button to return to the Home tab and then pressing the blue arrow next to your new device name.

Add LightServer to Wifi Network Using Access Point Mode

  1. Please following the steps in the section below Connect Directly To LightServer In Access Point Mode. Once completed, return to step 2.
  2. You can now access the setup webpages from within LightKit or directly from a browser to manually enter your Wifi Router/Access Points credentials.
  3. Select either one of the following sections blow; From Within LightKit or From Within a Web Browser.

From Within LightKit

  1. You should see a device on the Home Page of LightKit
  2. Press the arrow next to this device to open the configuration page
  3. Press the Advanced Settings option at the bottom of the Configuration Page
  4. A page now loads, and you can make the appropriate changes
    1. Change Device Mode to: Station and press Apply
    1. Further down the page, add the SSID (this is your Wifi Router/Access Point Name)
    1. Select the Security Type, either Open, WEP, WPA1 or WPA2
    1. Enter the security key/password/passcode
    1. Press the Add button to add this profile
  5. You will now need to reboot LightServer so that the changes take effect
  6. Once done, the light on the Tiva C LaunchPad should now be Blue.
  7. If you have problems, you can start again, by holding down the SW2 button on the Tiva C LaunchPad while repowering LightServer, this will place LightServer is Access Point Mode again, and you can ow re-begin the process of adding your Wifi Router/Access Point Details

From Within a Web Browser

  1. Open a web browser and type in http://lightserver.net
  2. Select the Setup tab
    1. Change Device Mode to: Station and press Apply
    1. Further down the page, add the SSID (this is your Wifi Router/Access Point Name)
    1. Select the Security Type, either Open, WEP, WPA1 or WPA2
    1. Enter the security key/password/passcode
    1. Press the Add button to add this profile
  3. You will now need to reboot LightServer so that the changes take effect
  4. Once done, the light on the Tiva C LaunchPad should now be Blue.
  5. If you have problems, you can start again, by holding down the SW2 button on the Tiva C LaunchPad while repowering LightServer, this will place LightServer is Access Point Mode again, and you can ow re-begin the process of adding your Wifi Router/Access Point Details

Connect Directly to LightServer in Access Point Mode

If you do not have a Wifi network available, or if you just prefer to. You can connect to LightServer directly, by placing LightServer into Access Point mode. Please see the steps below.

  1. Hold down button SW2 button on the Tiva C LaunchPad when you connect the power
  2. The LED on the Tiva C LaunchPad will not be lite Green
  3. Use any device to connect to the Wifi Access Point you have just created, it will be called LightServerAP. You can do this via a computer or mobile device.
  4. You will now be able to configure the Lights, this can be done by pressing the Back button to return to the Home tab and then pressing the blue arrow next to your new device name. You can change the Device Name, Number of Lights and also the Chip Set and Color Order.