Parente Fireworks Srl FIREMASTER4KR FIREMASTER IV REMOTE UNIT User Manual 3
Parente Fireworks Srl FIREMASTER IV REMOTE UNIT 3
Contents
Users Manual V
FIREMASTER IV "
MillenniumThree
" radio shooting system User’s manual
3. "FIRE" FUNCTION
3.1 FOREWORD
All functions just described have been used with the key switch selector of the
Base Unit TX5000 in position "TEST-SAFE".
In this operating mode it is TOTALLY INHIBITED the transmission of a
particular code regarded by all Remote Units as a FIRE COMMAND. All
Remote Units have thus the batteries powering the lines, PHYSICALLY
DISCONNECTED. In this way all test operations can be carried-out with the
maximum safety degree and, even if a severe failure should occur to one or
more Units, IT NEVER WILL BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE A PREMATURE
OR UNDUE FIRING OF ANY SQUIB CONNECTED TO THE SYSTEM.
When otherwise the show MUST BE FIRED, the fire code must be always sent
along with the data relative to the lines to be activated. Only in this way, all
Remote Units involved in firing one or more lines, will provide to connect
accordingly the LINE BATTERIES to the lines to be fired. This connection is
made during a time interval reduced to the minimum indispensable to provide
the line activation and to transfer the energy quantum for firing. After this
interval the batteries are DISCONNECTED again bringing back all Units to a
SAFE CONDITION. Only during a "timed" sequence, because the allotted
time between shots is too short to connect and dis-connect the batteries, the
FIRE VOLTAGE is maintained along the whole sequence duration and for
all Units involved in that sequence.
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3.2 THE "FIRE"MASK
At any moment and from inside any mask of the "SAFE-TEST" function, it is
possible to switch to the "FIRE" mode simply placing the rotary keyswitch on
this position.
The following mask will be immediately displayed:
By default the following operating modes will be selected:
SHOW TIME: set to ZERO, waiting for the first fire command.
TIME TO NEXT: not active in MANUAL MODE.
SEQUENCE 1: all lines with sequence 1 will be set off
NEXT SHOT 1: in manual mode it does always have the same value as
SEQUENCE.
- MANUAL MODE (also selectable with F3 key)
COMMUNICATION: RADIO. This icon shows the setting made in the
"TOOLS" mask relative to the communication mode (RADIO or CABLE)
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If it should be necessary to fire a sequence other than the displayed one, it will
be sufficient to type the sequence number on the numeric keypad and confirm
with "ENTER". To move 1 digit more or less with respect the displayed value,
the two "arrow" Ï Ð keys can be used instead.
To send the FIRE command, it will be necessary to press in rapid succession the
pushbuttons "ARM" and "FIRE".Pressing only one pushbutton (indifferently
ARM or FIRE), the system will "arm" itself and the FIRE command will be
immediately sent when the other button will be pressed. To proceed with the
NEXT SHOT, it is necessary to release first BOTH BUTTONS. The sequence
of "ARM" and "FIRE" operations will be shown to the operator with two
different icons displayed on the screen:
SYSTEM "ARMED"
FIRE!
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3.3 FIRING OPTIONS
The SYSTEM FIREMASTER IV can operate in different modes in order to
match any show characteristics.
The different firing modes can be selected by the operator inside the "FIRE"
mask and immediately before the show begins.
Also in this case, it will be useful to remind as TWO WELL DISTINCT USING
MODES OF THE FIREMASTER IV SYSTEM exist:
a) PROGRAM CREATED AND "LOADED" MANUALLY in the
Remote Units using the functions already listed in chapter "2.0 -
TESTING".
b) PROGRAM CREATED WITH EXTERNAL SOFTWARE AND
"LOADED" FROM A PC by the serial communication port RS-232.
When one mode is selected, the other is automatically EXCLUDED!
In case a), the system will only operate in "MANUAL" or "MUSIC" mode
only"
In case b), the "SHOW" MODE can be used.
It is theoretically possible to fire in MANUAL MODE a show created externally
and loaded in the memory of the base Unit TX5000 from a PC. Not to mention
the poor interest in such an operation, ALL THE INFORMATIONS
RELATIVE TO THE TIMING OF THE FIRING SEQUENCES, WILL BE
LOST!
It is highly suggested to AVOID operating with "mixed" modes: this could lead
to unexpected and catastrophic results for the show performance!
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3.3.1 MANUAL MODE
This mode has been described at the beginning of the chapter and quoted as an
example. This operating mode is selected using key F3 "MAN". Should be also
active the "SHOW" mode, the latter must be cancelled using the key F1
"SHOW" (used as toggle).
All the AUTOMATIC TIMING functions will be made NOT ACTIVE and the
operator will be free to manage the show times following his fantasy or the
voice commands coming from the show director to the headset. The "SHOW
TIME" indicator can be used just as REFERENCE: it starts to count the time (in
minutes, seconds and tenths) immediately after the first shot and stops if the
show is momentarily halted turning the key switch to the "SAFE-TEST"
position.
The time count will start again switching back to "FIRE" mode and sending a
new FIRE command: finally the counter will display the total show duration
without taking into account for eventual pauses decided by the operator. The
time is RESET only when the base Unit TX5000 is switched OFF. The time
count can be also paused in "FIRE" mode, using the toggle key F6 "PAUSE".
When the time count is halted in this mode, the indication "Paused!" is
displayed on the screen. When the System is in “pause” mode, the timer can be
reset using the F7 key.
Remember as in MANUAL MODE, the SYSTEM will always shoot the
SEQUENCE numbers in linear progression.
The operator, after each shoot, must INCREASE manually the SEQUENCE
number by typing the value on the keyboard or using the “ARROW UP” key.
Of course the operator is free to jump RANDOMLY at any SEQUENCE
number simply by typing the value on the numeric keypad.
Pressing once the “AUTO INCREMENT” key, the indication “AUTO
INCREMENT” message will appear on the “NEXT SHOOT” window and the
SEQUENCE VALUE will be AUTOMATICALLY INCREMENTED BY
ONE after each FIRING and upon releasing BOTH ARM and FIRE buttons.
3.3.2 "MUSIC" MODE
In this mode the built-in
pyromusical synchronizer
is activated.
The operating mode is similar to the MANUAL one with one exception: the
"ARM" and "FIRE" buttons will be "pressed" automatically each time the
system decoder will recognize a valid FIRE command in form of an AUDIO
CODE coming from the EXTERNAL sound system. If it will be provided in
advance to record as many audio sync signals as the shows sequences and these
signals are correctly placed with respect the musical base, then the whole show
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will proceed in a complete automatic mode and the fireworks effects will remain
perfectly synchronized with the music. As a matter of precaution the "ARM"
AND "FIRE" KEYS WILL REMAIN ACTIVE: should a sync tone, for any
reason, be lost , the operator can enter manually at any time a FIRE command
filling the gap.
Always remember to select the “AUTO INCREMENT” option when
working in “MUSIC” mode, otherwise the System will continue to fire the
SEQUENCE #1 for all the successive FIRE commands coming from the
synchronizer and the show will not proceed as needed.
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3.3.3 MANUAL "SHOW" MODE
This option allows to fire MANUALLY a show created on a PC and previously
downloaded to the memory of the TX5000 Base Unit.
When the FIRE mask is entered for the first time using the keyswitch, the
“SHOW TIME” and “TIME TO NEXT” counters will be automatically set to
zero. Both counters will start to count with the first FIRE command. The timers
can be momentarily stopped using the F6 key “PAUSE” or turning back to
“SAFE” the keyswitch: in both cases the show will pause and it can be resumed
at any moment with a new FIRE command or pressing the F6 key again
(“toggle” action). While in “PAUSE” mode, the time counter can be RESET to
ZERO using the F7 key.
The show will start pressing the ARM and FIRE buttons as usually: The SHOW
TIME counter will start to count UP the show time elapsed from the first shoot,
while the TIME TO NEXT counter will count DOWN the remaining time to the
next shoot. Being set in MANUAL MODE, the TIME COUNTERS will have
NO EFFECT on the show progression, i.e.: when the TIME TO NEXT counter
reaches the ZERO count, an acoustic signal will be simply generated in order to
alert the shooter to proceed with the NEXT FIRE COMMAND.
In MANUAL SHOW mode, it is always the shooter to decide the exact moment
to fire the next shoot and the TIMER indications are given merely as an aid to
follow the original timing (if required).
Practically: the START TIME data will be IGNORED and the show will
proceed as required by the operator, shooting A SEQUENCE AT THE TIME
using the ARM and FIRE buttons.
In this mode, the CUE number will be always shot (it will be displayed in the
“SEQUENCE” box), while the SEQUENCE indication (displayed in the
“NEXT SHOOT” box) represents the group of all physical addresses to be fired
simultaneously at that exact moment of the show.
This feature allows to FIRE THE SAME SEQUENCE more than once: this
possibility is useful when an automatic SEQUENCER is connected to a line
instead of single ignitor.
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3.3.4 PYROMUSICAL "SHOW" MODE
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This shooting mode is identical to the MANUAL one previously described at
paragraph 3.3.3.
The difference is only represented by the way to issue the FIRE command:
while in MANUAL SHOW mode the operator proceeds manually with the
ARM and FIRE buttons to advance each time the show to the next sequence, in
PYROMUSICAL SHOW mode, the operator has no control over the show
advancement: the EQUIVALENT action of the FIRE and ARM buttons will be
automatically executed whenever a valid AUDIO SYNCHRONIZATION
TONE (coming from the external AUDIO system) is recognized by the TX5000
Base Unit.
Once again the TIME data will be ignored and the show will be timed in perfect
synchronism with the music.
Always remember to select the “AUTO INCREMENT” option when working
in “MUSIC” mode, otherwise the System will continue to fire the SEQUENCE
#1 for all the successive FIRE commands coming from the synchronizer and the
show will not proceed as needed.
3.3.5 AUTOMATIC "SHOW" MODE
This operating mode DOES use the time references to FIRE
AUTOMATICALLY the CUES in the given sequence.
For each line of program the operator must have previously (see chapter 2.4.1)
specified the following parameters:
CUE: this is a linearly-increasing number representing the succession of item to
FIRE during the show.
SEQuence: this is the sequence number to be fired in correspondance to a
specific CUE. A sequence can have any value (but usually an increasing value
starting from 1 is given). A SEQUENCE can be indifferently: A SINGLE
LINE, SEVERAL LINES firing together at the same moment, a FAST TIMED
SUCCESSION of shoots spaced apart by less than one second.
ADDRESS: this is the PHYSICAL address of the line to be fired.
GRoup: this parameter is usually set by default to “0” If the show characteristics
should require to REMOVE from the show one or more lines at the last minute,
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or even when the show is IN PROGRESS, then a different value for “Group”
can be given for these lines. The key F5 will allow to specify the group to be
EXCLUDED from the show simply typing its value on the keypad. At any
moment a Group excluded can be re-inserted with the same key sequence.
START: this parameter represents the absolute START TIME of a specific
CUE to be fired inside the show.
DELAY: this parameter represents the relative DELAY TIME of a FAST
TIMED SEQUENCE (shooting at a rate less than ONE second). All shoots of
fast timed sequence will have:
DIFFERENT CUE VALUES
THE SAME SEQUENCE VALUE
DIFFERENT ADDRESS VALUES
THE SAME START TIME VALUE
THE SAME GROUP VALUE
DIFFERENT DELAY VALUES
Let suppose a fast-timed sequence of 5 shoots spaced apart by 0,2 seconds,
starting at 25,00 seconds from the show beginning and being the 3rd shoot of the
show. The correct parameter values for this sequence should appear as follows:
CUE SEQUENCE GROUP LINE UNIT START DELAY
1 1 0 265 12 00:00:00,00
2 2 0 266 12 00:00:10,00
3 3 0 270 12 00:00:25,00
4 3 0 271 12 00:00:25,00 00:00,20
5 3 0 272 12 00:00:25,00 00:00,40
6 3 0 273 12 00:00:25,00 00:00,60
7 3 0 274 12 00:00:25,00 00:00,80
8 4 0 275 12 00:00:30,00
9 5 0 276 12 00:00:32,00
10 6 0 277 12 00:00:34,00
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When the show is created on the PC (both using a commercial show
management program and an Excel worksheet or even typing directly the data
using the NOTEPAD utility), the user must exercise the maximum care in order
to avoid any incongruent value. E.g.: it will not possible to specify a CUE value
LESS THAN another one having a START TIME of higher value. In this case
the System will shoot the sequences following the START TIME data and
disregarding any eventual CUE indication not coherent with these values.
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3.3.6 OPTIONS IN "SHOW" MODE
For the three "SHOW" modes, a further option is available: this option is shown
in the "FIRE MODE!" mask. This is the possibility of EXCLUSION of one or
more "groups" of fireworks previously defined.
It happens quite often that some pyrotechnic effects, as the "weeping willow" or
others with possibility of burning fallout, shouldn't be used if the wind
conditions during the show, doesn't grant the safety margins (risk of fire
propagation). It could also happen that, at the last moment, for accidental causes,
a section of the show is damaged and thus it must be removed.
THE FIREMASTER IV SYSTEM allows, when operating with a show created
on a PC (SHOW mode), to define in advance up to 9 "groups" of fireworks or
effects. From the "FIRE MODE!" mask the operator is enabled, in real-time, to
disable as needed, one or more groups of fireworks just as required by the show
conditions at that moment. Obviously it is also possible, with a simple
command, to restore immediately the original conditions re-enabling the groups.
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3.3.7 OPERATION NOTES WHEN IN "FIRE MODE!"
When the keyswitch is turned on the "FIRE" position, the transmitter of the Base
Unit TX5000, immediately starts to send automatically a special code ("watch
dog"). This code is sent at regular intervals of about 5 seconds: the "TX R.F."
green LED will flash shortly each time.
This signal is received at the same time by ALL REMOTE UNITS being active
and is used to notify as the TX2000 transmitter is ACTIVE and in FIRE mode.
All remote Units will use this signal only during the execution of a TIMED
SEQUENCE. During the execution of these "rapid" sequences in fact the Base
Unit TX5000 sends just the FIRST SHOT of the sequence, while all successive
shots are controlled automatically following the time parameters stored inside
each Remote Unit. In these conditions the Base Unit could have no longer
control over the execution of timed sequences of some length: this is clearly in
contrast with the safety rules. In fact: should the Base Unit be suddenly damaged
while a long timed sequence is running, there will be no way to stop the show
(and since it is in theory possible to build a whole show with a single timed
sequence, one can easily understand as this situation could be extremely
dangerous!). The watch dog signal has been introduced in order to overcome
this unlucky possibility: In fact: should the Base Unit stop for any reason
(failure, destruction, power fail, etc.) to operate, the watch dog signal will also
immediately cease. All the Remote Units are programmed in such a way to
STOP IMMEDIATELY ANY FIRE ACTIVITY when at least two successive
watch dog signals are lost. This function grants, when the operator's has no
longer control over the show, that any timed sequence will be automatically
interrupted within 10 seconds maximum (2 watch dog cycles).
The operator shouldn't be afraid seeing, when the keyswitch is in FIRE position,
the "TX R.F." LED flashing even if no command has been issued! (on the
contrary: he should be afraid if NOT!)
The operator can at any moment abort any timed sequence IMMEDIATELY
simply switching the key on the "TEST-SAFE" position. In this case the Base
Unit TX5000 will send A SPECIFIC "TURN-OFF" CODE that is received
immediately and recognized by ALL Remote Units.
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