Eiki A-5 Instruction Manual

Package contents

Item Qty.

Macro Box 1
3 way terminal plug 3
IR emitter 2
Programming cable 1
Software CD-ROM

The latest software is also available for download at:

www.eiki.com

1

Please note:

Because its function can be shared with other equipment in a
system, a DC power supply is not included.

For standalone use, the power supply you use should be
capable of supplying 9 to 16 volts DC at 50mA.

Caution!

Applying in excess of 16 volts will damage the A-5

Eiki A-5

Macro Box

Instruction Manual

Eiki A-5 Macro Box manual Page 2

NOTE: This symbol and recycle system apply to EU

countries only and do not apply to countries in othe

r

areas of the world.

Please dispose of this equipment at your local
community waste collection/recycling centre. In the
European Union there are separate collection systems
for used electrical and electronic

p

roducts.

Your EIKI product is designed
and manufactured with high
quality materials and
components which can be
recycled and reused.

This symbol means that
electrical and electronic
equipment, at their end-of-life,
should be disposed o

f

separately from your household

Federal Communication Commission Notice

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in
a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
– Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Do not make any changes or modifications to the equipment unless otherwise specified in the instructions. If such
changes or modifications should be made, you could be required to stop operation of the equipment.
Model Number : A-5
Trade Name : EIKI
Responsible party : EIKI International, Inc.

A

ddress : 30251 Esperanza Rancho Santa Margarita CA 92688-2132

Telephone No. : 800-242-3454 (949-457-0200)

EIKI A-5

Tested To Comply
With FCC Standards

FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE

To the System IntegratorR

Thank you for choosing Eiki A-5.
Before commencing installation, please read

these instructions carefully to get the best
results from your A-5.

For your safety

Please ensure that any wiring used to
connect A-5 to other equipment is kept
clear of mains wiring and follows applicable
local wiring codes. Under no
circumstances may an A-5 be connected
directly to power mains.

Power Supply caution

Make sure that the power supply
you are using meets your local
safety regulations and that its
voltage does not exceed 16 volts
DC. Unregulated power supplies
can output voltages that are well
above what is shown on their
label.

V:E1.1

Eiki A-5 Macro Box manual Page 3

The Macro Box is a multi-purpose device that can perform a variety of
roles, either singly or in combination.

As a general-purpose interface, it can function as:

• IR receiver

• IR transmitter

• IR repeater

• IR to RS232 converter

• IR to RS485 converter

• RS232 to IR converter

As well, a Macro Box can be easily programmed to store up to 16 separate
Macros or sequences of commands. These commands can consist of any
combination of IR, RS232 and RS485 commands with intervening delays
extending from milliseconds to hours, using up to four separately addressable
timer channels.

Macros can be set to execute from IR commands, RS232 commands or
automatically on power up.

You can combine up to 15 Macro Boxes and/or IR Relay Modules on a common
control bus, with each unit separately addressable.

A Macro Box is ideal for controlling a projector. With most projectors, there
is a delay of anything up to a minute after the projector is switched on before you
can select an input. However, with a Macro Box, a single command to the Macro
Box initiates all necessary projector commands, with delayed operations occurring
in the background. This provides a much smoother user experience, because the
control panel or remote control can be used to do other things while the projector
is warming up. As well, the use of RS232 commands avoids the clumsy toggle
interfaces that are so common with projector IR controls.

Macro send

RS232

RS485

IR

IRBus activity

Power

MacroBox

RS232RS485

Programming

12v DC in IR output ports

IRBus

TxD

CTS

D-

D+

GND

GND

GND

Data

+12v

MacroBox

Eiki A-5 Macro Box manual Page 4

How to use a Macro Box

You can use a Macro Box in a number of ways, either singly or in combination.

IR Repeater – pass-through mode.

When a Macro Box receives an IR signal that it does not understand, it will pass
that signal through to its output without taking any action except for modulating
the signal.

Why does it need to modulate the signal?

IR signals, when received from an IR receiver, cannot be used to directly drive an
IR LED. The LED must be driven by a modulated version of the received IR signal,
that is, an IR signal inserted onto a carrier. The Macro Box performs this function.

IR outputs

The Macro Box has eight IR outputs. The same signal will be transmitted from all
eight outputs simultaneously. This is the same as would happen if all devices
were in the same room and used with ordinary remote controls. It does mean you
can’t control two identical devices independently from the same Macro Box.

Another implication of the simultaneous outputs is that, for reliable operation, you
should allow at least 500mS between commands for different devices so that
each device’s silence period is observed. See the following section for more about
silence periods.

IR

receiver

IR

remote

IR LED

Macro Box

Modulato

r

IR

device

Modulated

IR data

Unmodulated

IR data

Eiki A-5 Macro Box manual Page 5

Interpretive mode

When a Macro Box receives an IR signal that is intended for it and it is
programmed to send an IR signal, the following actions will occur:

1. IR Pass-through is switched off.

2. An automatic 500mS delay occurs to enforce a period of silence for IR
devices (a period of silence preceding an IR command is a requirement of
many devices)

3. The internally programmed IR signal is sent

4. IR Pass-through is re-enabled.

The significance of the period of silence

It’s important to remember when the IR pass-through is disabled in relation to
the period of silence.

If you send a third-party IR signal immediately after sending a Macro Box
command that is programmed to send an IR signal from the Macro Box, the third­party IR signal will NOT be passed through the Macro Box and so will not be
received by the intended IR device.
Use a 1 second delay in your sending device to allow time for the signal to be
sent and the pass-through channel to re-open.

Sending RS232 and RS485 signals

When it receives a valid signal, a Macro Box can also send signals other than IR,
such as RS232 and RS485 signals.

Controlling a Macro Box with RS232 signals

A Macro Box can also respond to signals other than IR. Using the Macro Box’s
programming port, any IR input command can be simulated by RS232
commands.

IR

receiver

IR

remote

IR LED

IR

device

Modulated

IR data

Unmodulated

IR data

Program

Wait
Send IR signal

Macro Box

Modulato

r