Description
Octoscrolla without Real Time Clock (RTC) fitted
The octocrolla is a clone of the original Octoscroller design and is pin compatible (with the exception of the real time clock)
The octoscrolla is a pcb that is designed to plug into a Beaglebone Black (BBB) running Falcon Player (FPP) to allow you to run up to 64 P10 led pixel panels. Each of the 8 16 pin connectors can control up to 8 P10 panels.
The octoscrolla pcb has 2 ground (GND) testpoints (which usually won’t be used) on it as well as space to have a 0.1″ connector to power the BBB from 1 of the power supplies running the P10 panels rather than using the BBB power connection.
Octoscroller
The original Octoscroller was developed by Trammel Hudson and some background information on it can be found at http://www.nycresistor.com/2013/09/12/octoscroller/
Connecting
When connecting between an octoscrolla and a P10 panel ensure that the notch on the 16 way IDC connector is around the correct way. Do not connect or disconnect connectors to the octoscrolla while either the BBB or P10 panels are powered.
Improvements
This is an improved version of the octoscroller. It has space on the board for either a 5mm screw terminal or the 0.1″ push terminal for powering the BBB. The original octoscroller had just the 0.1″ terminal. The 5mm terminal is supplied fitted. Connecting the same 5V power that runs the P10 boards to the 5V connector means that no separate adaptor is required to power the BBB. In addition to that change there is also a minor layout change from the original octoscroller allowing the connector numbers on the pcb overlay to be seen and also a real time clock (RTC) to be added so that the BBB can run scheduled shows without needing to be connected to the internet to get the time.
For information on the octoscrolla, octoscroller, P10 panels visit http://auschristmaslighting.com and/or http://www.falconchristmas.com
Note:-
If using the 5V connector to power the BBB from the Octoscrolla then some/all BBB variants require a fast voltage rise of the 5V for the power circuitry in the BBB to be happy. Some power supplies don’t meet the 500us (?) rise time so a switch to turn on the 5V after the power supply has been turned on is recommended.
Quick setup
There is a basic setup guide at https://www.hansonelectronics.com.au/octoscrolla-setup/
Video guides
There’s a number of video guides and online guides on how to setup the BBB and octoscrolla. Below are 2 from Jeff at Canispater Christmas
Octoscrolla shown mounted on BBB. BBB and thumbdrive not supplied.
