How It Works

The Bluebonnet Lights display is controlled entirely by a single computer, running the Light-O-Rama software. This computer is connected using CAT5 cable to 9 controllers scattered throughout the display. Each of these controllers is plugged into electrical power and has 16 electrical sockets that are connected to the individual light strings. The software controls each of the electrical sockets individually or in groups.

Wireless

In addition to the 9 controllers on one side of the street, we have a wireless link that connects to 2 more controllers on the other side of the street.

X-10

The Light-O-Rama software also sends signals over the powerline, to X-10 switches that control the garden lights, the porch lights on one house, and the FM transmitter. These cannot be switched fast to the music, so this slower system is good enough.

Audio

We have a few speakers that play the music at a reduced volume so that people walking on the sidewalk can hear the show. These are wired using some spare wires in the CAT5 cable.

RDS

This year, we added RDS to our FM transmitter. The Light-O-Rama software sends the name of the song to RDS software, which sends it to the FM transmitter.