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PRODUCTS DOCUMENTATION	Teleo Digital Out User Guide Documentation for the Teleo Digital Out Module   TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction Package Contents Operating Instructions Teleo Digital Out Module Teleo Digital Out Device Troubleshooting Technical Specifications

The Teleo Digital Out Module provides control of up to 12 2A digital switches from a Teleo Network.

To use the Digital Out Module, you'll need other Teleo Components. See the Teleo System overview in the Teleo System section of the Teleo User Guide. For information about setting up a Teleo System see the Teleo Hardware Setup section of the same guide.

 

 

Teleo Digital Out Module : The TeleoDigital Out Module providing control for up to 12 digital switches.

 

 

Teleo Digital Out Module
Teleo Digital Out Device

The Digital Out module provides the ability to independently connect up to twelve digital outputs and have them available for control by Max and other programming environments.

Figure 1: Digital Out Module Concept Diagram

The Teleo Digital Out board is pretty much all connector. There are two banks of size connectors separated by V+ power connections and two 5V power connections.

Figure 2: Digital OutModule

Each output of the module is implemented by a replaceable MOSFET - a high current switching transistor.

Digital Out circuits can be used to switch devices like motors, relays, values and lights on and off that draw up to 1A of current. The Digital Out circuits can also be used to generate logic signals for controlling other devices.

The Digital Out circuits operate by making a clear channel to ground for whatever voltage is applied to their connectors. This switching is done by a MOSFET (metal-oxide silicon field effect transistor) in the small 4 legged rectangular chips next to the outputs. These MOSFET switches can handle moderate currents (up to 2A) - but nothing too big. Small motors, relays, solenoids, lights and valves should all be OK. Larger devices might not work well. Where possible, before using some new item, try to understand what its current requirements are and ensure they draw less than one amp.

You will notice that there are both 5V and V+ connectors available for connecting to the Digital Out connectors. You can use either, but not both on the same connector since that would result in a direct connection between the V+ supply and the 5V supply. The V+ will supply up to a total of 6 amps to all output circuits on the board. The 5V supply is very limited. do not try to run motors, and other mechanical devices off this supply since it will almost certainly cause the 5V voltage regulator to overheat and or the processor to reboot. The 5V supply is provided to control LED's and other very frugal users of current.

Figure 3 : Digital Out Connections

 

Max

The Teleo Digital Out component is trivial. A single input connects to the specified output pin.

Figure 4: t.dout

See the t.dout documentation page for more details.

Connecting the Devices

Circuits that are controlled by Digital Out signals can be very simple. Connect a power source on one side and the Digital Out signal on the other.

One of the simplest circuits uses a normal incandescent light bulb. What's important is that the voltages and currents are within the correct range. When you select the V+ line to supply the power to the light, make sure that the bulb can handle the voltage! Similarly check to make sure that the current rating for the bulb is less than one amp. Most small incandescent bulbs will fall within this range, but larger halogens do not. As usual, check the connections carefully before turning the power on and watch for signs of overheating on the appropriate FET device.

Figure 5: Digital Out Module + Incandescent Light Bulb	Figure 6: Digital Out Module + Incandescent Light Bulb Sample Circuit

Another very common class of things to control is solenoids. The circuit is virtually the same as the circuit for the lamp above. The basic cautions to observer are similar to the ones for the light example above: check to make sure that the rated voltage for the solenoid matches your power supply. Solenoids often specify a duty cycle. If the duty cycle is "Continuous" this means that it can be left on indefinitely. If the duty cycle is "Intermittent", then it's designed to be run only for short periods which are sometimes specified (i.e. 50%, etc.) If an Intermittent solenoid is run continuously, it may overheat and in extreme circumstances may be destroyed.

Figure 7: Digital Out Module Digital Out + Solenoid	Figure 8 : Digital Out Module + Solenoid Circuit

Finally, there's nothing to prevent the Digital Out signals from controlling other digital things. What is required is a pull up resistor. When the Digital Out switch is off, the resistor makes the connected circuit see approximately 5v. When the Digital Out switch is on the connected circuit is directly connected to ground (by the Digital Out's FET) and it sees 0V.

Note that in this configuration the output is inverted. This is because when the Digital Out device is sent a "1", the FET switch closes and connects the external logic to ground - which it interprets as a "0" or off and when the Digital Out device is sent a "0", the FET switch deactivates, the external resistor pulls the line up to 5V, and the external logic sees a "1".

Figure 9 : Digital Out + Misc. Logic Sample Circuit

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS:

• one of the MOSFETs is very hot
• one of the MOSFET's doesn't work
• under heavy load the board seems to reset

First Step:
See if your problem is described in the list above. If so, click on the link to see if the suggestion solves your problem.

Second Step:
Check the known problems section of the MakingThings website.

Third Step:
Post the problem to the MakingThings discussion list. This list is checked regularly by the MakingThings staff. In addition, if another Teleo user has experienced, and solved, this problem, you will have the benefit of their experience.

Fourth Step:
Email contact@makingthings.com. We endeavor to reply to all problems within one day.

Quick Note: how to use Max and Teleo effectively:

• always exit Max before unplugging the USB cable
• always exit Max before remove power from the Intro Module (these two steps avoid the USB driver from hanging)
• if any object requires a specific address, then all objects should i.e. the optional address can be left off only when there is only one of each type of module i.e. the module type and device number completely identify every device on the network. as soon as there is more than one type of any module, then each and every object must specify both the device and address.
  

Check:

• Whatever it is that is connected to the switch draws less than about an amp of current. Any more is too much.
• Check that there isn't a short circuit from the V+ directly to the Digital Out terminal.
• Check that there isn't some little scrap of metal lodged somewhere - under the board or anywhere else which might be connecting the V+ line to the Digital Out terminal.

TELEO DIGITAL OUT  MODULE
Number of outputs	12
Maximum current (sink) per output	2A
Maximum total current	6A
TeleoNetwork Voltage - Max	30V
TeleoNetwork Voltage - Min	7.5V