RS232
What is it?
RS232 is a 2 wire
communication method to the LED
displays. It has a maximum distance
restriction of 50 feet (15m) and only
one LED display is connected to the
computer. This is a simple connection
system that is relatively easy to
install and use.
When
should I use it?
- When
the distance between the computer
running the Display software and the
LED sign are less than 50 feet
(15m).
- When
your computer has an available RS232
port and you are close to the LED
sign or you utilize our USB
converter OICUSB/232-232/485.
- When
temporarily communicating to the LED
sign using a laptop.
RS485
What is it?
RS485 is a 2 wire communication
method to the LED message center. It has
a maximum distance restriction of 5000
feet (1500m) and you can connect (daisy
chain) many LED signs to the computer.
This is a simple connection system that
is relatively easy to install and use.
Most computers do not have this type
port installed so a converter must be
purchased (you can utilize our USB
converter OICUSB/232-232/485).
When
should I use it?
- When
connecting several LED signs
together to one computer.
- When
the distance between the LED sign is
less than 5000 feet but greater than
50 feet.
- When
install cost is not an issue
(running wire to LED message
center).
ETHERNET
What is it?
TCP/IP over
Ethernet network is another term used
for this. Ethernet is a wired
communication method allowing an
Ethernet communication card (installed
in your computer) to communicate with
the LED display over a Local Area
Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network
(WAN). Ethernet is a very fast
communication method. In simple terms, a
movie file can be transferred to a LED
sign in under a minute versus 15 to 20
minutes using RS232.
When should I
use it?
-
Ethernet Network is already
available (LAN or WAN).
- High
speed connection is desired for
sending Movie files or large picture
files to the LED sign quickly.
- Need
access to the LED sign from several
computers or from a company wide
network.
-
Distance from the LED sign to the
Computer or Network switch is less
than 350 feet (115 m) for a CAT5
cable.
ETHERNET/WIRELESS
What is it?
Ethernet/wireless is sometimes called
WiFi or 802.11. It is Ethernet over an
RF network and uses off the shelf RF
equipment bought at the local computer
stores (similar to the wireless used on
your laptop). Typically there is data
encryption or Key’s used to access the
network. In utilizing this type of
network, initially there is some setup
involved to get the LED sign talking
with the master transmitting unit . The
distance for the device is limited to
100 feet or less and the broadcast
antenna must be located outside the
building to be effective. The speed of
the network is very good and is suitable
for movie and picture files.
When should I
use it?
- High
speed connection is desired for
sending Movie files or large picture
files to the LED sign quickly.
-
Distance from the LED sign to the
Computer or Network switch is less
than 100 feet (65 m).
- Need
access to the LED sign from several
computers or from a company wide
network.
-
Direct wire cable methods can not be
used due to High installation costs
-
Excessive RF interference is not
present at the LED sign or the
transmitter location. This can be
caused by Cell phone towers, radio
stations, TV stations, wireless
handsets and numerous other wireless
devices prevalent on the market
today.
FIBER OPTICS
What is it?
Fiber Optics is a communication method
using a fiber optic cable that utilizes
light instead of electrical impulses to
send information from the computer to
the LED sign. A signal converter is
required on the computer and also at the
LED sign to change the signal to light
and then back to an electrical pulse.
This system is very robust for noise
immunity, which means the speed can be
very fast over long distances. In simple
terms, a movie file can be transferred
in under a minute versus 15 to 20
minutes using RS232. The Key difference
between Fiber optic and Ethernet is the
Distance is better with Fiber Optic.
When should I use
it?
- High
speed connection is desired for
sending Movie files or large picture
files to the LED sign quickly.
-
Installation cost is not an issue.
- Need
access to the sign from several
computers or from a company wide
network.
-
Distance from the LED sign to the
Computer or Network switch is less
than 2000 feet (600 m).
DSL MODEM
What is it?
DSL Modem is a communication method
using high speed phone lines to provide
access to the LED sign over the
internet. This is not available in all
areas and you should contact your local
phone company to ensure they have phone
lines near the sign for DSL
communication. The phone company will
typically charge a monthly fee for this
access. The LED sign requires the DSL
provider to supply a dedicated IP
address for the access point. The DSL
modem supplied by the phone company
plugs directly into the LED sign
Ethernet port.
When
should I use it?
-
Remote access for programming the
LED sign is desired by the customer
or the ability to program the LED
sign from many different computers
over the internet is desired.
- The
DSL phone service is readily
available by the display and the
customer has internet access at
their computers.
-
Customer wants manufacturer to have
access to the LED sign for
troubleshooting or adding content to
the LED sign over the internet.
- The
monthly DSL charge is not an issue
for the customer.
PHONE MODEM
What is
it?
Phone Modem is a communication
method using standard phone lines to
provide access to the sign over the
phone system. This is not available in
all areas and you should contact your
local phone company to ensure they have
phone lines near the sign for modem
communication. The phone company will
typically charge a monthly fee for this
access. The speed of the communication
is controlled by the modem and is based
on the integrity of the phone lines. The
computer must also have an external
phone modem attached to it to access the
LED sign.
When
should I use it?
-
Remote access for programming the
sign is desired by the customer or
the ability to program the LED sign
from many different computers over
the phone is desired.
- The
phone service is readily available
by the display and the customer has
a phone line at their computers.
-
Customer wants the manufacturer to
have access to the LED sign for
troubleshooting or adding content to
the LED sign over the phone.
- The
monthly phone charge for the line at
the computer and at the LED sign is
not an issue for the customer.
RF (1/4 & 1 WATT)
What is
it?
RF stands for Radio Frequency
(wireless) and works similar to your
portable telephones at home. It consists
of a transmitter that is attached to the
computer and a receiver that is matched
to the transmitter and resides in the
sign. The Watt rating is an indication
of the strength of the unit and the
higher the Watt rating the farther the
LED sign can be from the transmitter. In
all RF units, they need “line of sight“
clearance between the transmitter
antenna and the receiver LED sign
antenna. The quality of the RF signal
can be affected by many factors such as:
the Watt rating of the RF radios,
obstructions in between the LED sign
antenna and the Computer transmitter
antenna, distance between the antennas,
position of the antennas, how the
antennas are mounted, etc. The 1 watt RF
option is offered for just these
reasons, minimize the impact and make
the installation a little less
worrisome. RF is a relatively slow
communication device and should not be
used if movie or picture files need to
be programmed in the LED sign. See below
for comparisons of load times.
When
should I use it?
-
Direct wire cable methods can not be
used due to High installation costs
-
Communication speed is not an issue,
movie and picture files will not be
used
- The
LED sign and the computer are a long
distance apart but within line of
sight
-
Excessive RF interference is not
present at the LED sign or the
transmitter location. This can be
caused by cell phone towers, radio
stations, TV stations, wireless
handsets and numerous other wireless
devices prevalent on the market
today.
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Comparison
of Load Times with Different LED Sign Communication Methods
- Animated US Flag
