DFRobot Targets Sensor-Controlled Smart Lighting Projects with the EDGE102-DMX512

DFRobot has launched an Espressif ESP32-S3-based device designed for anyone working with DMX512-compatible lighting setups: the DFRobot EDGE102-DMX512.

"The EDGE102-DMX512 controller is an advanced lighting control system designed to manage stage, theater, and venue lighting using the DMX512 protocol," the company explains. "With a variety of interfaces — including RS485, I2C, and UART — this controller supports seamless connections to a range of sensors and devices, including compatibility with Arduino and ESPHome for easy integration into custom projects. It offers programmable, sensor-based automation for lighting and other stage equipment, moving beyond traditional manual control by consoles."

Inside the EDGE102-DMX512, brought to our attention by CNX Software, is an Espressif ESP32-S3 microcontroller — giving it two Tensilica Xtensa LX7 cores running at up to 240MHz with vector instructions, 512kB of static RAM (SRAM), and 384kB of on-board flash. A dedicated, though unnamed DMX512 processing chip offloads protocol work to reduce load on the microcontroller. There's an integrated real-time clock (RTC) with battery backup good for 12 hours, and a 12-24V DC power input.

The company is positioning the device, which is for some reason labelled on its housing as the EDGE201-DMX512, as ideal for sensor integration — offering eight opto-isolated digital inputs to trigger lighting controls automatically based on sensor readings or external switches. There's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless connectivity, plus RS485 serial, I2C, and UART ports, shared with two general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins — plus a single relay output.

The EDGE102-DMX512 (or EDGE201-DMX512) is available to order on the DFRobot store at $59, before volume discounts; Arduino Leonardo owners looking for a cheaper way to experiment with the DMX512 protocol can instead opt for the company's earlier DMX Shield at $17.90.