Automated Lighting, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 18

Architecture for Control Networks (ACN)

sWithout deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.—Frank Zappa

In March 1996, before the first digital luminaires, LED displays, or DMX512-controlled media servers were exhibited at Lighting Dimensions International (LDI), David Bertenshaw of Strand Lighting suggested in a meeting of the Entertainment Services & Technology Association (ESTA) Control Protocols Working Group that they need to undertake the task of creating a standard for getting “data on and off the Ethernet pipe.” He cited the probability of the development of non-standard, proprietary systems that “could have a detrimental effect to the interconnectivity of devices.” Indeed, Strand already had developed ShowNet V1.0, ...