Using a GPIO node to send iPort contact closures

Updated by Bryan Jones

Scope

This document applies to the Zephyr iPort and uses a GPIO node with physical buttons to send relays to a remote location.

Description

The Telos Zephyr iPort has the ability to forward (send) relays to the remote end. There are many methods to accomplish this. In this example, we will use physical buttons wired to the GPI (inputs) of an Axia GPIO node. Any physical Axia GPIO port will work for this. You can use the GPIO on the original (often referred to as classic) nodes, xNodes, PowerStation, QOR, etc.

We will assume that you have already wired and tested the buttons wired to the GPIO Node for the purposes of this document.

Setup

Setting up the node

There is nothing to do in the GPIO node other than to test your wiring and possibly label the port for your informational purposes. For example, here we have a GPIO port configuration (highlighted in red). We have named it "iPort Buttons." There is no Livewire channel assigned. Use the Input indicators (highlighted in green) to confirm your buttons are working.

It's possible to use a Livewire channel for this but less advisable. If you use a Livewire channel associated with a console fader or other remote control, it's possible to have other things tripping those GPI pins. No channel number is most predictable.
iPort Setup
  1. Using a Web Browser, connect to your iPort
  2. Click on Codec Configuration on the left-side menu
  3. Click on the Options button for the Codec sending the relays
Each Codec has a separate GPIO Send and Receive configuration.
  1. Scroll down to the GPIO Section located under the Transmit heading. Note there are separate Transmit and Receive sections.
  2. Each Transmitter has four ports for GPIO configuration. Set the Protocol, Operation, and Channel configuration.
    1. For Protocol, select iPort Enhanced.
    2. For Operation mode, select Transit Point
    3. For Channel, put the IPAddress/PortNumber of the GPIO node. In this example, our GPIO node is a 192.168.2.114, and we have wired our buttons to port 1.
  1. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Apply

Repeat this configuration, as needed, for other Codecs or, configure additional GPIO on this same Codec.

Let us know how we can help

If you have further questions on this topic or have ideas about how we can improve this document, please contact us.

How did we do?