DESIGN SUMMARY

The XL4+ control panel is the largest panel manufactured by FireOne. It was designed to handle the world’s most complex displays while still maintaining the ease-of-use that allows it to control even the simplest displays. Like its smaller companion, the XLII+, this panel is capable of operating in manual, semi-automatic, and automatic firing modes. However, the XL4+ doubles the number of outputs, raising the recommended number of wired modules to 80, while providing an expansion port to increase the number of controllable modules to 198. This corresponds to more than 6,000 firing cues. Furthermore, this panel supports FSK, SMPTE and GPS time sources, priority lockouts, UltraFire, Long Range Control and “Soft deadman” operation.

Like all other FireOne control panels, the XL4+ uses LCD/LED and membrane switch technology to provide easy-to-use menu navigation, setting customization, firing cue selection, and operational control. An LED matrix is used in conjunction with the LCD display to report advanced system diagnostic and performance information to the operator.

INPUTS

The XL4+ has three redundant power sources.

• The XLII+ uses gel cell batteries for internal power. The batteries are capable of powering a fully-loaded control panel for up to 8 hours
• Additionally, each XLII+ has a 90-240 VAC power input that accepts power at 50/60 Hz to backup the internal battery power. The AC input is used to charge the internal battery and can also be used to operate the panel on AC power
• A 12 volt emergency battery input jack provides a convenient input for the panel to be powered by an external 12 volt vehicle battery

In addition to the power inputs, the XL4+ also has inputs for time code and data.

The time code synchronization is supported via balanced and unbalanced external analog time code inputs, plus satellite derived GPS time code and the XL4+’s internally desired time base. Traditional time code formats are FSK, SMPTE, GPS derived or internally generated. These features provide synchronization for an individual XL4+ to other time sources, while additionally providing synchronizing capability for large displays that are spread out over extreme distances calculated in kilometers and miles.

The 9 pin serial and USB data inputs can be utilized to couple the XL4+ to a computer in order to operate in the Computer Assisted Mode. These inputs are also useful to download the Fire Files to the control panel’s internal memory.

OUTPUTS

The XL4+ has four independent outputs for transmitting both power and data. These outputs are electrically isolated, preventing the possibility of a short circuit on one output from affecting the performance of the modules connected to the other output. This feature provides complete redundancy as well as greater compatibility with external equipment. Each of these outputs is capable of supplying power to twenty 2-Wire firing modules, plus an unlimited quantity of wireless modules.

The 2-Wire outputs are an invention of FireOne that allows the power and data to be transferred on inexpensive speaker wire or two-conductor lamp cord. This technology allows the firing modules to be placed a great distance from the control panel (over 10,000 feet or 3 KM) without any noticeable operational degradation. It also eliminates the need for expensive connectors, splitters, and booster boxes.

2-WIRE TECHNOLOGY

The 2-Wire system was conceived, invented and perfected by FireOne in 1999, and incrementally and continually improved year after year. This digital system is the default communications scheme for all FireOne control panels, transceivers, and field (firing) modules. This proprietary design operates with two-conductor lamp cord, speaker wire, or even blasting wire, effectively eliminating the need for purchasing expensive cables and connectors. This paradigm shift has dramatically lowered overall system cost and maintenance while increasing hardware operability, reliability and functionality.

FireOne engineering design provides for a maximum of twenty 2-Wire firing modules to be paralleled (daisy-chained) together on up to 2,000 feet of wire for each output of the control panel. When using all 32 available field module cues, a single control panel output can fire up to 640 cues. (All control panels have multiple outputs; 20 modules x 32 cues per module = 640). The advanced 2-Wire technology also enables the main cable run, from the control panel to the first module, to be very long (over 10,000 feet or 3 KM) with no operational degradation. This allows the modules to be as close to the pyrotechnic product as possible, minimizing the electric match wiring requirements and thereby increasing the system’s reliability.

POWER DISTRIBUTION

All FireOne control panels are designed to effectively power a maximum of 20 firing modules on each output. This is a designated limit due to power distribution. Wireless modules, connected to the control panel via a transceiver, are exempt from this limit as they draw no power directly from the control panel. An operator could, therefore, connect 20 modules to each output for a total of 40 firing modules connected to a 2-Output control panel and 80 connected to a 4-Output control panel. (Note that the number of membrane buttons on a control panel may limit the number of unique addresses).  The maximum length of cable that can be used varies depending upon the number of modules connected to the panel. The following graph shows the relationship between the maximum numbers of modules by various cable lengths:

Please note that the graph above assumes the worst case scenario where all modules are connected at the far end of the cable, and the cable used is stranded 18 gauge (1.0mm²). The design of FireOne’s 2‐Wire system provides the operator with the ability to utilize extremely long “main runs” or “home runs”. Viewing the graph above indicates that a display layout could incorporate a full complement of 20 modules on one output and those modules could be a phenomenal distance of 2500 feet from the operator!

WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY

FireOne’s communications system was conceived, invented and perfected by FireOne in 1999 and incrementally and continually improved year after year. This cutting-edge digital system is the default communications scheme for all FireOne control panels, transceivers, and field (firing) modules. The wireless construct of the communications system replaces the 2-Wire physical wiring with a proprietary military grade wireless link that provides identical functionality as the wired version. The wireless modules are fully compatible with all other devices within the FireOne system. Operational range is exceptional, exceeding 6.0 kilometers.

FireOne’s engineering design provides for an unlimited quantity of wireless field modules to be operated from any output of a control panel. Effectively, thousands of cues can be controlled from a single control panel output. (All control panels have multiple outputs.) FireOne’s advanced system technology enables wireless modules to be kilometers and miles away from the control location with no operational degradation; wherein competitive systems can only measure operational distance in feet. FireOne’s design criteria always places the field modules as close to the pyrotechnic product as possible, minimizing the electric match wiring requirements and thereby increasing the system reliability.

FIRING MODES

The XL4+ is the most advanced control panel offered by FireOne. It maintains all the functionality of the MP2 and XLII+ panels while doubling the number of outputs and potential firing cues. It also adds additional features to maintain synchronization within the system to ensure that every show, from the simplest to the most complex, can be executed seamlessly.

Manual

In Manual mode, any desired firing cue can be selected and fired from one of the connected firing modules. There is a 99 module limit in this firing mode, determined by the number of membrane buttons on the front panel. Each cue can fire multiple electric matches; up to twenty wired in series. Additionally, the operator can select a group of cues to fire simultaneously using the Load feature.

Semi-Automatic       

Pre-designed files can be stored in the control panel memory. “Semi” (Semi-automatic) files allow the panel to be fired in semi-automatic mode. This allows the pre-programmed “events” to be automatically executed via operator initiation, as needed. Up to 999 events can be stored in memory. This feature is highly prized for the variable requirements at staged events such as New York City Broadway plays, musical events and tour groups.

Automatic 

In addition to Manual and Semi-Auto operation the XL4+ supports full Automatic operation.  Utilizing  preprogrammed files, that have been stored in the control panel’s memory, (eight files can be stored in the panel’s internal memory) the operator can execute preprogrammed firing commands that are time code driven . . . often musical related or music dependent. Automatic operation is typically employed for precision fired displays and is used for many of the most demanding, high-profile displays.

Computer Operated

Computer Operated Mode allows the operator to control the XL4+ from a computer via the FireOne UltraFire software. The computer has full operational control over the panel while controlling all firing modules. Computer Operated Mode is available for the Manual (via Mixed Mode), Semi-automatic, and Automatic firing modes. Additionally, all firing modes are compatible with FireOne‘s advanced UltraFire technology.

Mixed Mode

In Mixed Mode, the XL4+ provides the dual capability of Computer Operated Mode and Manual Firing Mode simultaneously. The user can be firing a complex display controlled by a computer, and manually fire cues utilizing the XL4+ front panel membrane buttons. This powerful feature is useful when firing displays that are primarily choreographed, but require a few cues to be fired at times “to be determined”.

UltraFire

UltraFire is a unique FireOne invention pioneered by FireOne in 2002 -2003. UltraFire provides the unprecedented ability to fire any sequence of firings, anywhere in the system, with zero restrictions or time latencies. UltraFire operation is sub-frame timing accurate and has no limit on the number of cues that may be initiated at any given time. This advanced technology empowers designers to create firing sequences that were previously impossible to fire. (Link: Meydan Race Course, Dubai).

UltraFire’s ability to eliminate any firing differential also enables extremely fast or complex firing sequences regardless of the number of firings involved, or their relationship to the control location. UltraFire uses a simple, but powerful, technique that eliminates all timing errors from the firing equation.  Every firing mode of the FireOne system is capable of utilizing UltraFire’s attributes.

EXAMPLES

The XL4+ is FireOne’s largest control panel. It is designed to fire displays automatically, semi-automatically, or even manually with the option of connecting via FireOne’s computer interface software, FireOne UltraFire. The XL4+ has four identical output circuits that provide 100% redundancy when firing a display.

Like all of FireOne’s control panels, the XL4+ is fully capable of simultaneously controlling wired and wireless field modules. Additionally, the XL4+ can be utilized as master control panels or remote wireless relay points. This configuration empowers any FireOne control panel to relay wireless commands to any other FireOne control panel or multiple control panels. Wireless control is conservatively possible at distances of 6.5 km (4 miles).

The XL4+ also comes with a 9-Pin serial expansion port that can pair two XL4+’s together to create a functional XL8+. This allows a single panel to control eight 100% redundant outputs, each connected to up to 20 wired modules and an unlimited number of wireless modules.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

General

Display

Wireless

Power

Physical

DOWNLOADS

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the XL4+ Brochure