Banco Fie Building
The new Banco Fie building in La Paz, Bolivia, features architectural lighting designed by Joe Salinas of Luminet. The system uses Sundrax wireless Digital Multiplex transceivers and the Ethernet-to-Digital Multiplex converter ArtGate Solid to connect 34 light-emitting diode pars, 14 light-emitting diode bars, 14 beams, and 12 washes.
Equipment Used
To control the facade lighting at the Banco Fie building, the system needed to convert Ethernet signals to Digital Multiplex and transmit them without cables. Converters were combined with wireless Digital Multiplex transceivers, which can function as either transmitters or receivers.
Sundrax wireless Digital Multiplex transceivers use the beDMX protocol, based on Bluetooth 5.0, for stable communication that resists interference. The ArtGate device handles merging and conversion between Art-Net, streaming Architecture for Control Networks, and Digital Multiplex protocols. It includes two EtherCON ports and Power over Ethernet support for creating cascadable setups.
ArtGate Solid
ArtGate Solid is an Ethernet-to-Digital Multiplex converter designed for indoor use. It provides up to four optically isolated Digital Multiplex ports and includes a built-in two-port Ethernet switch for signal distribution.
The converter draws power from mains electricity (110 to 250 volts alternating current) or Power over Ethernet. Additional network devices connect through the integrated two-port switch, which operates at 10 or 100 megabits per second.
Key features of the Art-Net and streaming Architecture for Control Networks to Digital Multiplex converter in the Solid enclosure include:
● A master Internet Protocol address setting that prevents loss of the device's address.
● Permanent laser engraving on connections for easy identification during the equipment's full service life.
● Passive cooling that protects against dust and smoke, which helps extend operational lifespan.
● Surge protection rated up to 315 volts for increased durability.
The enclosure is made from duralumin, offering vandal resistance and an Ingress Protection 44 rating. It resists deformation and corrosion. Configuration is handled through dedicated software.
RadioGate Solid
The Banco Fie building is in South America, where wireless systems often face stability issues. Wi-Fi devices from various countries can operate on mismatched frequency channels, leading to interference across multiple channels and reduced network performance.
The project selected Sundrax equipment for its beDMX protocol on Bluetooth 5.0, which provides reliable operation. This choice addressed the client's past difficulties with other systems, resulting in consistent performance after installation.
Project-specific options include:
● Powering the transceiver from mains electricity (110 or 220 volts) or direct current (12 to 24 volts).
● Up to two isolated Digital Multiplex ports on RadioGate Solid, equipped with five-pin XLR connectors (two male and two female).
● Flexible range adjustments on Sundrax wireless signal transceivers, with omnidirectional antennas supporting Digital Multiplex transmission up to 200 meters and directional antennas extending that to several kilometers.
Pairing devices is straightforward: press a button on the master unit to register up to 64 receivers. This approach supports the creation and maintenance of reliable wireless Digital Multiplex networks that function effectively in any location.
