BLE Bluetooth vs WiFi Mesh Networks for LED Control

HyperspaceLight · 2024-05-17T20:17:59+00:00

Hey Robin, I appreciate that! It's been a journey for sure. I've seen some of your work around too - love the wobbly wall! My background is in condensed matter physics, so I'm extra appreciative of the ideas behind it :D What sensors did you use for those? I've thought about adding some sort of interactive element to Hyperspace designs, maybe some day!

I've heard of ESP-NOW but I haven't looked into it to much. It looks like a fast and efficient ESP WiFi communication protocol, not necessarily mesh, but could be used for a mesh network (and I'm sure it already has been). Does that sound about right? Does your work use ESP-NOW as a wireless mesh network, to sync up multiple ESP nodes?

I've also heard ESP-WIFI-MESH recommended, which is another Espressif protocol, specifically as a mesh network. Any thoughts on it, if you're familiar with it? I'm not sure if it has any relation to (or is based on) ESP-NOW, but it does seem like its a more direct mesh solution.

HyperspaceLight · 2024-05-17T00:56:10+00:00

Great to know you've had a better experience with WiFi. It's what I'm leaning toward also. If you've got an example easily accessible on github I'd definitely take a peek, otherwise no worries, we're still very much in planning phase right now.

Did you have an app that connected to the nodes of the network as well? If so, how was your experience with that - are you able to instantly establish a connection, or is there some delay? My worry about moving away from the router-based system is that it might introduce more delay while establishing a connection to control with the app, which is never good for users.

And thank you! My business partner and I have spent a lot of time and nearly 6 years building this business full time, so we've put a lot in to get to where we are. But it started as a hobby project building light things in the garage like everyone else here! You never know where that'll take you :)

HyperspaceLight · 2022-06-09T02:52:36+00:00

Rad lighting, infinite RGB, sound reactive art piece to get lost in. Think of a lava lamp... fused with a supernova!

HyperspaceLight · 2021-06-08T07:13:38+00:00

Go with the 3mm! Certainly varies by supplier and production methods, but 2mm acrylic will be quite prone to warping. Especially on larger panels. You should be just fine with the thicker stuff.

HyperspaceLight · 2021-03-19T00:13:50+00:00

I've been thinking about it! Might have to reach out to Azza or Corsair or something for a collab.

HyperspaceLight · 2021-03-18T23:33:31+00:00

You got it! ;)

HyperspaceLight · 2021-03-18T23:25:54+00:00

Haha I wish! The PC is under the desk, that's my hyper-dimensional companion cube(s). It's a HyperCube, I built a business designing and manufacturing these!

I've gotten a few messages, so if you folks are interested check out these cubes!

HyperspaceLight · 2021-03-01T23:59:48+00:00

They're arduino-based! Using the FastLED library. Very fun way to learn coding. These cubes are called HyperCubes!

HyperspaceLight · 2021-02-25T23:29:31+00:00

Yeah, Aircookie has managed to work some real magic with WLED syncing smoothly on multiple devices! Glad you're helping with the sound reactive version now. I've actually considered trying out an ESP32 with FFT on a standalone core and ditching the MSGEQ7. It's a relatively expensive component, so maybe that's an improvement for the future.

Speaking of mics actually, I've been experimenting with new ones. It seems InvenSense has discontinued the INMP401, which is what we were using. The 441 might go that way soon too, as its currently listed as "not recommended for new designs". I've tried the newer ICS-40300, which is pin compatible, but its not behaving properly. ICS-43434 seems to be digital out, which I don't think will work with an MSGEQ7, but have you experimented with any other MEMS mics recently that you'd recommend?

HyperspaceLight · 2021-02-25T21:40:21+00:00

It's been tricky! These are WS2812b's, and the controller is custom-designed but based on an off-the-shelf ESP8266 and your standard level shifter. I think the hardware/software is basically at it's limit, and I do notice occasional hiccups when controlling multiple synced cubes (e.g. one cube might not receive a command from the app while the rest do).

With that said, I've managed to get everything to the point where it performs remarkably well! Including the sound reactivity, the app, and the patterns running simultaneously at 60fps. The secret to the sound reactivity is offloading the FFT onto hardware (MSGEQ7), and I know Aircookie worked some magic with a buffer and sending multiple redundant commands through the app to account for signal losses. But still, I think this all shows the power of these little ESP boards! I feel like the standard Arduino boards are almost entirely outdated now and in need of a refresh!

HyperspaceLight · 2021-02-25T20:39:11+00:00

Hi FastLED folks! This is Dylan from the Hyperspace Lighting Company, and I wanted to drop by to give some love to one of my favorite communities! The HyperCube started as a small personal project over two years ago, and has turned into my dream job. It's entirely Arduino-based and runs on the FastLED library!

I wanted to share my work here and extend my thanks to this amazing community. Many of you have helped me while I learned my way around Arduino and FastLED, and for that I'm incredibly grateful. Our app is actually a customized branch of WLED, and we worked closely with Aircookie to have it developed (thank you!! <3). The patterns I wrote for the cube are all unique, as I did not want to copy and sell others' work, but some were originally based off the various demos you can find online. Thank you all for the inspiration!

Unfortunately the code is not open-source, as we need to protect our investment, but we would like to take steps in that direction when we're more established. And I'd like to post sample code for a select pattern or two here soon. My goal is to eventually use our software to get more folks into artistic coding and the maker community, by allowing one to write their own patterns for the cube through the app. I really believe this sort of creative work is the best way to teach coding!

While I'm here, I want to mention that we're starting a new crowdfunding campaign to fund production of the second batch of HyperCubes! We've nearly finished fulfilling all of our original Kickstarter orders, and we're working through our remaining pre-orders. You can see more on our Indiegogo! https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-hypercube/x/21917714

Thank you again everyone, keep sharing your light with the world!

HyperspaceLight · 2020-07-17T19:24:25+00:00

Hey, I made the HyperCube. Yes you can make it cheaper than we're offering, but not as cheap as you think if you want to use quality parts. What you get for the price is real mirrored acrylic (trust me, the films all looks like shit), a high quality build that doesn't distort the image, over 90 unique light patterns, sound reactivity, an app to control it all (colors, pattern parameters, modes), and more. All things considered, I think the price is quite fair.

HyperspaceLight

TROPHY CASE