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P44-xx device variants for special/custom projects

Controllers for custom LED + automation projects

Ceiling in the ScienCity EXPLORiT Yverdon - 15381 SmartLEDs on 107m length, with 7 pieces of P44-LC-LED, connected with Ethernet - [More info]

ETH digital platform - 19m ticker, 18 P44 controllers (previous version of P44-LC-LED), synchronized for pixel-perfect transitions between modules - [More info]

Building on the proven firmware for the plan44 standard products P44-DSB and P44-LC, customized hardware variants have been developed as part of projects, especially complex LED installations. These are not standard products, but can be manufactured for projects on request.

Due to the great flexibility of the built-in script language p44script, even complex installations like the one shown on the right can be realized completely in the device, entirely without dependencies on external services, tools, development environments etc. The device can run completely autonomously, can be easily replaced in case of defects, and is thus suitable for long-lived installations.

Features of all P44-xx variants

  • Basic functionality of the P44-LC/-DSB as a home automation controller, with rooms, scenes, dimmable and colored lights, pushbuttons, sensors, etc.
  • P44-xx-LED with 4 ports for addressable smart LEDs (WS281x) with up to 1000 LEDs per port. With the graphics subsystem p44lrgraphics various animations can be programmed on LED chains and areas.
  • P44-xx-DCM and P44-MC-E+DC have connections for DC motors, including limit switches and/or current measurement for detection of end stops.
  • All special hardware variants are also available as P44-DSB version and can seamlessly fit into a Digital Strom installation. As P44-LC version they function independently.
  • The firmware of all P44-DSB, P44-LC and P44-AC is identical for the entire product range. All products always have the latest firmware available. Thus, the special hardware variants can also benefit from the general further development of the firmware.
  • P44-LC products are remotely maintainable on request - temporary or permanent web links can be set up for access.
  • Flexibly extensible - with the built-in scripting language p44script, almost any additional functionality can be easily created:
    • Scene scripts that are executed when a scene is called (e.g. for special transitions/effects)
    • Triggers and Evaluator Actions that are executed when certain conditions (timing, sensor values, inputs) occur.
    • The Mainscript, which can be the "main program" that takes complete control, or just defines some "handlers" that respond to certain events (e.g. network communication, input signals, time or sun position, periodic triggers, etc.)
    • With Scripted Custom Devices also lights, buttons, sensors, inputs can be implemented in p44script, which can be used afterwards with standard behavior, e.g. in scenes.
  • All scripts are part of the device configuration, and can be saved and restored together with it as backup, and remain intact during firmware updates.
  • p44script can be created, edited and debugged (breakpoints, singlestep, inspection, etc.) with the built-in IDE (Integrated Development Environment) via the web interface.
  • Individual p44script commands can be tried out in the IDE's playground area or in the console, to test effects and sequences and view variables.
  • A quick reference to the scripting language is built into the device (and therefore available offline), more detailed documentation with examples is available online.

Device integrations

FunctionalityProfile(s)Status
matter bridging
Full color lights or with color temperature settingcolor control

Supported with public beta firmware (please enquire)

Devices with a 0..100% level, such as dimmable lightslevel control

Supported with public beta firmware (please enquire)

On/off deviceson/off

Supported with public beta firmware (please enquire)

SensorsSensors

Supported with public beta firmware (please enquire)

Custom devices implemented in p44script on-device
custom devices implemented in p44script via web interfacep44script devices

full support, standard behaviour

Philips hue
hue tunable white (ambiance) lampambiance

full support, standard behaviour

hue color lamphue

full support, standard behaviour

LivingColors mood lightLivingColors

full support, standard behaviour

hue lux warm white lamplux

full support, standard behaviour

Addressabe smart LED chains
Segments of WS2812 LED chains as color lightsRGB LED chain segment

Available in Special/Custom P44-xx device versions (please enquire), as well as in P44-xx-X images (free, DIY)

WS2812 based LED chain's DataIn can be connected directly to RPi GPIO18/PCM (P1 pin 12)

WS281x LED matrices as projection plane for feature lightsRGB LED chains and matrices

Available in Special/Custom P44-xx device versions (please enquire), as well as in P44-xx-X images (free, DIY)

WS281x based LED chain's DataIn can be connected directly to RPi GPIO18/PCM (P1 pin 12)

External Devices with custom implementation
devices implemented as external code/scripts connected via TCP/IP APIExternal Devices

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

i2c peripherals (Linux)
direct i2c accessgeneric

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

via scripted devices and p44script, the i2c bus can be accessed directly to control i2c devices.

Temperature SensorLM75

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

16 Inputs (with optional pull-up) or outputsMCP23017

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

Inputs can used for Buttons or Automation inputs.

Outputs can be used as on/off lights or relay outputs.

1 analog inputMCP3021

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

Input can used as sensor. Sensor type, scaling, offset and poll interval are configurable.

16 PWM OutputsPCA9685

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

Each PWM output can be used as a simple dimmed light device or a heating valve output. Groups of 3 (RGB) or 4 (RGBW) outputs can be grouped to form a full color light.

8 Inputs or OutputsPCF8574

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

Inputs can used for Buttons or Automation inputs.

Outputs can be used as on/off lights or relay outputs.

16 Inputs or OutputsTCA9555

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

Inputs can used for Buttons or Automation inputs.

Outputs can be used as on/off lights or relay outputs.

SPI peripherals (Linux)
direct SPI accessgeneric

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

via scripted devices and p44script, the SPI bus can be accessed directly to control SPI devices.

General Purpose I/O (Linux)
digital inputinput

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

Can be used as button or automation input.

SPI peripherals (Linux)
16 Inputs (with optional pull-up) or outputsMCP23S17

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

Inputs can used for Buttons or Automation inputs.

Outputs can be used as on/off lights or relay outputs.

2 analog inputsMCP3002

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

Inputs can used as sensors. Sensor type, scaling, offset and poll interval are configurable. The 2 inputs can also be used together for a differential signal.

8 analog inputsMCP3008

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

Inputs can used as sensors. Sensor type, scaling, offset and poll interval are configurable. Inputs can also be used in pairs for differential signals.

General Purpose I/O (Linux)
digital outputoutput

DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions

Output can be used as on/off light or relay output.

DC-Motor control with direction, speed and braking
DC-Motor control with direction, speed and brakingDC Motor

Available in custom P44-xx device versions (please enquire)

RS485 serial interface
Modbus RTUModbus

Available in custom P44-xx device versions (please enquire)

Omega Splitflap DisplaysSplitflap

Available in custom P44-xx device versions (please enquire)

  • full /
    partial support, standard behaviour
  • full /
    partial support for use in evaluators and scripting (advanced configuration)
  • Available in custom P44-xx device versions (please enquire)
  • Supported with public beta firmware (please enquire)
  • Available in Special/Custom P44-xx device versions (please enquire), as well as in P44-xx-X images (free, DIY)
  • DIY/Experimental, non-commercial integration in free / open source versions
  • Integration planned for a future firmware release

Open Source - the basis of all plan44.ch products

The functionality of these products is implemented in plan44.ch's "vdcd" virtual device connector daemon open source project. If you are experienced with building Linux software, you can compile your own versions of vdcd in a OpenWrt build environment.

The vdcd project on github contains documentation describing how to build and run vdcd on Linux

"Digital Strom" is a registered trademark of Digital Strom AG, Schlieren, Schweiz, see digitalstrom.com