ENTTEC’s Pixelator Mini is an 8-port Art-Net/sACN pixel converter that forms the head end of the PLink control system. Each Pixelator Mini can receive up to 16 Universes of Art-Net/sACN, and convert it to ENTTEC’s proprietary PLink  Data protocol carrying up to 2 universes of pixel control data per port can be output over long distance.


The Pixelator Mini is powerful enough to control up to 2,728 RGB Pixels with perfect synchronization and high refresh rate across all eight outputs.



PLink Data

Pixel data (SPI) is an unbalanced signal, resulting in the data degrading quickly, making it unuseable after a few meters after the controller - we recommend a maximum cable distance of 3m when working with an unbalanced signal to ensure a reliable installation. 


In some installation, a maximum cable distance of 3m is not viable. ENTTEC created a solution to this issue, PLink Data. PLink Data is a balanced signal, which means that the recommend a maximum cable distance is 300m. The PLink Data is transported via Cat 6 cable terminated at both ends with a PLink Data: RJ45 Cabling & PLink pinout. 


PLink Data is sent out of a Pixelator Mini through it’s rear RJ45 ports. The PLink data only requires the use of 3 pins, the other 5 pins are unused.


Function

RJ45 pin

Core Colour (terminated to TIA/EIA-568-B standard)

PLINK Data +

1

Orange White

PLINK Data -

2

Orange

N/C

3

Green White

N/C

4

Blue

N/C

5

Blue White

N/C

6

Green

0V

7

Brown White

N/C

8

Brown

 

ENTTEC recommendation using a:

  • Independent Cat6 cable running from a single Pixelator Mini output to one PLink Injector. Splitting or joining cable can lead to degraded performance or other electrical issues.
  • Shielded Cat6 cable for PLink runs to reduce the chances of installations being impacted by EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference). This isn’t crucial for all installations, however it’s another step to ensuring your installation goes as smoothly as possible. The shield layer and the drain wire (if your cable has one) should be connected to electrical earth separately to the data connections entering the device. This should never be attached to pin 7 (data GND - 0V).


PLink Injectors

At the other end of the Cat 6 cable, the balanced PLink Data needs to be converted back to the unbalanced Pixel data (SPI). This is done by one of the following PLink Injector devices: 

  • 73544: 12-24v PLink Injector (designed for LED Pixel Voltage between 12-24v)
  • 73546: 5v PLink Injector (designed for LED Pixel Voltage is 5v)
  • 73924: IP66 PLink Injector (designed for outdoor use and for LED Pixel Voltage of 5v and voltages between 12-24v) 

If your LED pixels require a higher voltage, look to use our controllers with a wider voltage range, i.e. the ENTTEC OCTO.


The PLink injector is a small box which will need to be located within 3m cable distance of the Pixels.

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If you get caught out with the wrong voltage varient of the PLink, then it is possible to use the incorrect varient if you are unable to source the correct voltage vareient of the PLink. See our guide on how to achieve this.


Protocols

The Pixelator Mini's output not only supports the industry standard SPI protocols but also accommodates customized SPI pixel protocols (subject to specific criteria). This allows for seamless integration with a variety of LED pixel systems and ensures that your unique requirements are met.


PLink Injector Wiring Diagram

Depending on the installation, there are two different ways that a PLink Injector can be wired:

  • Backwards Fed Power: As seen for the first PLink Injector in the diagram below, this technique is similar to what is used on the ENTTEC Octo. As power in bidirectional (compare to data, which is unidirectional, only flows in one direction), the power supply can be placed on the PLink Injector output screw terminals and the power is backwards Fed.
  • Power through-put: As seen for the second PLink Injector in the diagram below, the power supply is connected to the Power In port on the PLink, and the power is passed through the PLink Injector to the Pixels (in this case dots) on the PLink Injector output screw terminals. The PLink is limited to a 10Amp through-put, therefore if you are going to exceed 10Amps (50 watts at 5v, 120 watts at 12v, 240 watts at 24v etc), then you will need to use the Backwards Fed Power option below.
Important: The PLink is limited to a 10Amp through-put, therefore if you are going to exceed 10Amps (50 watts at 5v, 120 watts at 12v, 240 watts at 24v etc), then you will need to use the Backwards Fed Power option.


Note: Always ensure you appropriately fuse your installation and pay attention to the maximum current rating of your pixel strip or dots.



Controlling a Different Voltage

If you get caught out with the wrong voltage varient of the PLink, then it is possible to use the incorrect varient if you are unable to source the correct voltage vareient of the PLink. 


As long as the PLink has the ability to support the pixel protocol of the higher/lower voltage pixel you intend to control, you can use your Plink to pass data and ground to the pixels, while you use a separate power supply of the pixel's required voltage to splice in *VCC & ground * to the pixels you are using. 


This arrangement ensures that voltage is not passed directly from your pixel driver to the pixel strip - which ensures that neither the driver, not the pixel strip is damaged by over-voltage.