# TLC Drive 485

## Overview

The plot is simple: I had 3W RGB Leds from DX and I wanted to do something cool. I knew there was this project: [[http://jwcxz.com/projects/acris/|ACRIS]] and thought I could make a more simple version, with one of the many MSP430 I had laying around. Just for fun. And I did.

The PC App is heavily inspired from the ACRIS project, but is way much simple. It's a Python script that connects to the USB-RS485 adapter, and thats allow multiple interfaces for the user. Currently, only direct input (keyboard) and UDP interfaces have been implemented, but anything is (theoretically) possible...

I have found a daily use for this project: Thunderbird warns me with a green light when I receive an email. A quick keyboard shortcut clears the notification.

## Pictures

{{:msp430:tlcdrive485:dsc_0133.jpg?direct&200|Bare PCB}} {{:msp430:tlcdrive485:dsc_0134.jpg?direct&200|First assembled board}} 
{{:msp430:tlcdrive485:dsc_0136.jpg?direct&200|First assembled board}} {{:msp430:tlcdrive485:dsc_0137.jpg?direct&200|Code testing}} 
{{:msp430:tlcdrive485:dsc_0138.jpg?direct&200|First assembled board, Final}} 
{{:msp430:tlcdrive485:dsc_0139.jpg?direct&200|The two prototypes}} 

## Schematics - PCB
The full schematics and PCB have been made in Diptrace. I made two versions of the PCB, one without onboard regulator (for the MSP430), one with. I only printed the later one.\\
{{:msp430:tlcdrive485:tlcdrive485_reg3v.jpg?direct&200|PCB with 3.3v regulator}} 

## Resources
Full code, files, pictures can be found on the SVN repository:
    svn co http://svn.redox.ws/svn/TLCDrive485