Smart Stage

Background:

Lighting in the entertainment industry is a key part of the overall entertainment experience. Throughout the years lighting technology has grown by leaps and bounds. What was once candles set at the foot of the stage is now extensive networks of spotlights, par cans and intelligent lighting, all of which can be controlled by central controller. The purpose of the lights is to iluminate the performer(s) and to provide a visually stimulating show for the audience. The lighting engineer's responsibility is to facilitate the lighting need of the particular show; he/she does this by programing the lights prior to the start of the show.

Problem Statement:

Stage lights need to be controlled by a central controller. The lighting engineer will program the lights for the upcoming show prior to the show. The process of “focusing” the lights is typically done with one lighting tech at the controller and one on the stage, the tech on the stage moves to important spot on the stage and the control tech then focuses the pertinent lights on the stage tech. This methodology is great if the artists or set pieces do not move as the lights are focused to a particular spot. If there is movement in the show then the lights need to be programed to track the move, and thus the move can not deviate from a preprogrammed path. Also, live shows make use of a spotlights, sometimes as many as 14. Each spotlight is controlled by a local union worker and they are instructed by the lighting control tech where they should focus the spots. This process is susceptible to human error, as sometimes the worker does not focus the light where it is supposed to be.

Team Members:

Kurt Auer kurtauer@gmail.com
Nathan Hershey nathan.hershey@gmail.com
Gavin Peters gavin.m.peters@gmail.com
Martin Wietlisbach martywiet@gmail.com

Faculty Advisor:

Dr. Altan Ferendeci

Goal:

To create a wireless network to communicate and control stage lighting. With this wireless network we wish we create 3-D picture of the lights positions in space relative to each other. The network will control the light's ability to lock and track multiple sensors on the stage.

Subgoals:

1. To have multiple lights track one sensor.

2. To have one light track and switch between multiple sensors.

3. To have multiple lights track multiple sensors

Helpful Skills:

• RF communications

• Controls

• Antennas