Coming soon: Ether Dream 3

[j4cbo]

Hi folks,

I'd like to end 2020 on a high note by announcing the next generation of Ether Dream.



What isn't changing?
- Same 16-bit X/Y and 8-channel 10-bit color resolution.
- Same network protocol, so existing software will work seamlessly.

But there are a few changes on the outside:
- Smaller form factor. The metal case will have exactly the same profile, just cropped a little shorter.
- USB power supply instead of 12v; some projectors have USB outputs for firmware updates and such, and so this can piggy-back off that. (The USB-C port is a robust through-hole unit to ensure reliability.) Firmware updates over USB too just like before.
- USB host port instead of MicroSD, for playing shows from a thumb drive, with the ability to talk to other devices down the line.

And on the inside, there's more:
- High-performance STM32F7 microcontroller.
- Point rates up to 180kpps - no galvos can go that fast (yet!) but diodes can...
- Numerous extra GPIO pins on an 18-pin 0.1" header.
- X/Y and color available on JST connectors as well as 0.1" header.
- Versatile color channels: the ILDA User-1 to User-4 pins can be repurposed to act as high speed digital outputs, with hardware support for GPIO, USART, I2C, I2S, S/PDIF, and XY2-100.
- Cryptographic accelerators allowing for point data to be encrypted over the wire (ECDHE + AES-GCM).
- All firmware will be open-source, and the boards are designed for easy JTAG debug with an ST-Link V3 (<$10).

Earlier generations of Ether Dream were pretty much tapped out in terms of their CPU abilities; this one has a lot more headroom to do more stuff onboard. I'm looking forward to seeing what people come up with to use it!

[kecked]

Too bad can’t power it over the Ethernet cable. Would eliminate a cable.

[j4cbo]

I thought about it, but it would add a fair amount of complexity, and splitters are pretty easy to find for those that do need them (like this - https://www.amazon.com/UCTRONICS-PoE.../dp/B087F4QCTR )

[kecked]

Good point. Think I will try that. I had used a battery and regulator.

[lasermaster1977]

Good point. Think I will try that. I had used a battery and regulator.

Ethernet only uses 2 pair of the 8 RJ-45 contacts (1,2,3 & 6), so it would be very easy to add the 2 POE pairs of contacts to pins 4,5 and 7,8 at a female, pc-mounted RJ-45, thereby maintaining one cable.

[lihaixu]

I have purchased five ether dream3 in illcolumn
It's very troublesome. It seems that it can't be sent to Chinese mainland directly. I have to transfer the package in the United States.

[sebleedelisle]

Hey Jacob, long time Ether Dream user here (I must have 30 or so and implemented the protocol in ofxLaser). I just got my first v3 units, loving the new form factor! Can you clarify the power options? I must admit that the USB C is quite inconvenient for me as I have a huge set up optimised for DC jacks now... is there still a way to feed in power directly to the board as in previous versions? Can it also be powered via the USB-A port?

cheers!

Seb

seblee.co