DESIGN SUMMARY

This state-of-the-art handheld controller takes the advanced functionality of FireOne’s wireless technology and places it directly in the user’s hand. At 9.5” (23 cm) tall and weighing 1.35 lbs (0.61Kg), the HC-510 is a light-weight, portable powerhouse designed with advanced operational features that provide extreme ease of use. This dedicated wireless controller is capable of operating in manual, semi-automatic, and automatic firing modes with full DMX operation.

The durable housing is fully waterproof with an IP-65 rating and capable of withstanding a drop test of over 10 feet (3m).

DISPLAY AND OPERATIONS

The HC-510 uses a multi-color LCD screen that is easily viewed in complete darkness or bright sunlight, and membrane switch technology to provide easy-to-use menu navigation, setting customization, firing cue selection, and operational control.

Control is easy and efficient with the use of operationally-dependent navigation buttons, a directional arrow pad, dedicated function buttons, as well as numeric input keys.

Whether testing, firing, or controlling DMX devices, the HC-510 makes it easy for the user to view and interpret the results with dedicated testing and firing forms.

Manual test mode reports provide field module communications plus  power, e-match continuity, fire power levels, module battery level, and module received signal strength (RSSI).

Full integration with FireOne’s Ultrafire software and direct transfer of files via USB flash drives adds to the HC-510’s versatility.

CONNECTORS

The top of the HC-510 features a safety key switch, an antenna connector, and a 10-pin multi-function connector.

The safety key switch is a safety device utilized for engaging fire power to field modules. This safety feature ensures that field module cannot receive fire power unless the key is present and the switch is armed. This provides full compliance with USA NFPA  Standards 1123 and 1126 for enabling and disabling firing systems.

The antenna connector is a reverse TNC style connector. The HC-510 comes with a detachable 2.1 dBi antenna. However, any antenna featuring a TNC connector can be used.

The 10-pin multi-function connector has multi-purpose functionality, depending on which cable is attached. With the 2-wire adapter cable, the HC-510 is able to connect to a field module’s 2-wire terminals. This is particularly useful for adjusting field module parameters such as operating frequency and security codes parameters on site.

The 10-pin connector is also an input device for external time code. Either an RCA or XLR adapter can be used to connect the HC-510 to a time code source. Accepted time code formats are FireOne FSK, SMPTE 24, SMPTE 25, SMPTE 30 (drop frame), and SMPTE 30 (non-drop).

Future accessories and features can be accessed via the accessory pins of the 10 pin connector.

BATTERY AND CHARGING

By default, the HC-510 is shipped with a 7-cell NiMH battery rated at 2,150mAh. This supplies the controller with up to 16 hours of continuous use. The battery is charged using a USB-C charger provided with the unit. Additionally, the operating time can be increased indefinitely by utilizing readily available “USB battery banks” that have a USB-C PD output (30W minimum).

DATA TRANSFER

On the reverse side of the HC-510 is a removable panel that provides access to a USB Type-A port. This standard USB port can be used for transferring automatic or semi-automatic files into the unit using a USB flash drive or similar style storage device. Additionally, this port can be used to update the HC-510 firmware.

When open, the compartment also displays the HC-510 model number and serial number.

WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY

FireOne’s wireless communications system was conceived, invented and perfected by FireOne in 1999 and incrementally and continually improved year after year. The wireless construct of the communications system replaces physical wiring with a proprietary military grade wireless link that provides identical functionality of a wired version. The HC-510 is fully compatible with all other wireless devices within the FireOne system. Operational range and sensitivity are exceptional.

FireOne’s proprietary engineering and building block concept provides extraordinary flexibility in design and layout of the system. Effectively, the HC-510 can control thousands of cues on any number of field modules. 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.

OPERATIONAL MODES

The HC-510 offers a vast range of control options. The operator can use the device in Manual, Automatic, or Semi-Automatic modes to accomplish any required task. In Manual firing, the user manually selects individual cues to fire. In Automatic and Semi-Automatic firing, the user saves a choreographed display in the controller’s memory. The file can then be recalled and fired at any time. This flexibility makes the HC-510 an incredibly powerful pyrotechnic controller. All modes support full DMX* operation for special effects devices.

Manual

Manual mode allows the user to select and fire individual cues, or to select from a list of pre-saved Presets or AutoSteps. A Preset refers to a pre-saved firing group where all selected cues fire immediately upon activation. An AutoStep allows the user to determine a time increment, and then select cues to fire. Upon activation, the cues are fired in the order of selection, spaced by the selected time increment.

The HC-510 is capable of controlling an unlimited quantity of module and 99 uniquely addressed field modules. The HC-510 operates in conjunction with FireOne’s existing 4-cue, 8-cue and 32-cue wireless field modules. Therefore the HC-510 is capable of controlling, testing and firing an unlimited quantity of cues and up to 3,168 unique firing cues while simultaneously controlling DMX devices when using DMX capable field modules.

Automatic

Automatic firing requires the user to create a .FIR file that is preloaded into the HC-510. Typically this is accomplished with FireOne’s Ultrafire software. The file can then be downloaded into the HC-510 and used to activate a fully choreographed fireworks display and control DMX devices simultaneously. Operation can be user activated or controlled via time code. Firing operation is continuous until all cues are fired, or the user stops/pauses firing. Automatic operation is typically employed for precision-fired displays and is used for many of the most demanding, high-profile displays.

Semi-Automatic

Semi-Auto firing requires the user to create a .SEM file with FireOne UltraFire and then download it into the HC-510’s memory. In the Automatic firing mode, the entire display is combined in a single firing instance that may include DMX commands as required. This is ideal for displays that follow a prescribed time table with no deviation. The Semi-Automatic firing mode differs from the Automatic mode. A Semi-automatic file consists of groupings of firing, called events. Each event is manually triggered. An event can be one or hundreds of firing cues, as required.  A single .SEM file can have up to 999 individual firing events and DMX events. This feature is highly prized for the variable requirements at live events such as stage shows, musical events, tour groups and special effects.

UltraFire

UltraFire is a unique FireOne invention pioneered by FireOne in 2002. 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. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcPauiWotz4).

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.

DMX OPERATION

The FireOne system supports DMX* control using a FireOne controller in conjunction with the IFMx-i32Q wireless field module or the IFMx-32Q 2-Wire field module. DMX (Digital Multiplex) is a communications protocol commonly used to control stage lighting from a centralized console. DMX is not limited to only stage lights, but is also used in fog machines, confetti cannons and other special effects.  FireOne DMX implementation is unique.  We call it Distributed DMX (2DMX) because each field module is its own DMX universe and they can conveniently be distributed throughout the effects area.  This minimizes the DMX wiring requirement significantly since the DMX wiring only needs to terminate to a field module, and not back to a central control location, as required for traditional DMX.  This approach also allows for reliable, wireless DMX that can run simultaneously, alongside cue firings.

FireOne provides two methods of DMX control: Simple-DMX and Scripted DMX. With Simple-DMX, a DMX command is pre-configured in the FireOne DMX software and saved to a cue on a module. Any time that cue is fired the module will also initiate the saved DMX command. This allows Simple-DMX sequences to be activated with any 2-wire control panel ever shipped by FireOne. This allows existing users to add DMX capabilities to any FireOne system they currently own by simply adding DMX modules.

This applies to manual panels, whether wired or wireless, choreographed or manually fired.

With Scripted DMX, a command, or sequence of commands, are scripted in a choreographed programs (fire file), during the choreographing process. The DMX command becomes part of the choreographed fire file and will automatically be initiated at the appropriate time. When combined with Ultrafire operation this creates highly precise distributed DMX effects that would be easily achievable with other solutions.

With the FireOne system, each field module is a separate DMX universe with 255 individual channels. DMX operation is possible with both 2-Wire and Wireless systems. FireOne’s proprietary communications protocol is vastly superior to the standard DMX protocol. Therefore control of a complex arrangement of DMX devices and control over great distances is more robust when utilizing  FireOne field modules for DMX operation.

DMX System Configurations

In the diagram below, a DMX stage light is connected to the DMX output of an IFMx-i32Q field module, which in turn is wirelessly connected to an HC-510 controller. The DMX commands are stored in the field module’s internal memory. There is no limit to the number of DMX devices that can be daisy-chained together, however proper DMX technique suggests a limitation of no more than 32 physical devices on a single module.

Since each FireOne field module is a DMX universe, it is practical and desirable to minimize the quantity of DMX devices attached to each module to eliminate the need for complicated DMX wiring and splitting. Simply place a field module next to your DMX device.

This next diagram illustrates how the DMX output is independent of the module’s 32 firing cues. DMX devices can be connected to the DMX output, while pyrotechnic product is connected to the field module’s Centronics output.

EXAMPLES

A very basic Wireless FireOne System consists of three pieces: a controller; one field module; and one integrated connection device for the pyrotechnic product. This basic system can ignite 4 individual cues (or lines).

Typically, the user requires field modules in multiple positions. This diagram depicts an HC-510 wirelessly connected to five WMM-4Q field modules. This combination creates a low-cost wireless FireOne system capable of operating reliably at exceptional distances.

Like all of FireOne’s controllers, the HC-510 is fully capable of operating with all aspects of the FireOne Wireless system. The HC-510 can be used to connect to any of the three wireless modules available from FireOne. These are the WMM-4Q, the FM-i8Q, and all 32 cue field modules. Only FireOne’s modules marked with an x as the FMx-i32Q module have DMX capability.

Additional Flexibility

Additionally, a control panel can be utilized as a wireless remote with the addition of a wireless transceiver. In this setup the HC-510 becomes a wireless controller as any 2-wire field modules connected to the remote panel(s) are also controlled by the HC-510.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

General

Display

Power

Wireless Data

Connections

Physical

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