What is a Gateway?

Converging Systems' Intelligent Lighting Controllers (ILC-100/ILC_100m/ILC-400) utilize a sophisticated communication architecture that permits up to 254 such controllers to exist on a single 3-twisted pair bus using CAT5-type cable with standard 6p6c terminations (RJ-12 or RJ-25). Each such collection of ILC controllers can then be connected to either Ethernet (IP) or RS-232c (RS) external platforms through a Converging Systems' intelligent Gateway. Such Gateways permit the (lighting controller) private network to operate without speed degradation or interruption that normally might occur with standard network type controllers and network traffic.

Gateways are available as either Ethernet type (e-Node or e-Node/dmx) or Serial (IBT-100) product offerings. In addition, the Ethernet Gateways (the e-Node and e-Node/dmx) also permit system setup for all ILC controllers including the commissioning of controller's communication, addressing, additional features and naming operations (#3 to the left is an e-Node used with 2 ILC-100 and connected FLLA linerar strips). Consequently, even though a RS Gateway may be specified within the system for communication of 1 to 254 ILC controllers with an outside serial controller, the installer should anticipate at minimum purchasing and utiling a single IP Gateway for intially commissioning purposes (and then re-using that Gateway for subsequent installatings). For many installers, simply utilizing the Ethernet Gateway (e-Node or e-Node/dmx) is the preferred alternative. And in this case the Ethernet Gateway can be structured to allow remote commissioning and diagnostics from the dealer/installers office location.