Namco Cyberlead LED Panel Experimentation and Documentation

[twistedsymphony]

I've been wanting to get my hands on some Cyberlead LED display panel equipment so that I can attempt to document it and perhapse control it the same way I have with the Sega Versus Billboard displays: VS Billboard Output from Sega ST-V/Model 2/Model 3/NAOMI

Thankfully some of this equipment came up for sale recently and I bought it.

The Plan
The Plan is pretty similar to what I did with the Vs Billboard:
Phase 0: figure out how to wire everything up
Phase 1: build harnesses and get everything wired up and working
Phase 2: document PCB variations compatibility and game support
Phase 3: determine communication protocol
Phase 4: see what I can do with the information from Phase 3 and go from there...

@PascalPs thread here has a lot of useful information: JVS I/O error

The Components in this setup:
I've started to document the various Components:
Namco JVS IO that are "LED Ready" (require a separate LED control board):
8699014200 (8699011104) [CL1 I/OB] - Cyberlead JVS IO V1.02
8699014200 (8699011104) [CL1 I/OC] - Cyberlead JVS IO V???
8699014200 (8699011104) [CL1 I/OD] - Cyberlead JVS IO V???

Namco LED Control board (looks nearly identical to the JVS IO but without all the JVS equipment)
8699014500 (8699011104) [CL1 LEDA] - Cyberlead LED PCB

Namco JVS IO with built in LED panel output:
8903960302 (8903960302) [CLS1 AMI-B]- Cyberlead JVS IO V3.0

LED Panels:
RX1-696A [Red LEDs] - Cyberlead Dot Matrix Display
RX1-696A [White LEDs] - Cyberlead Dot Matrix Display
RX1-696B [White LEDs] - Cyberlead Dot Matrix Display

If you know of other versions of these PCBs please post them here with photos and I'll add them to the list.

Wiring Information:
PascalP made a great diagram simplifying the setup:

So I made a small overview of the situation of how everything is connected:

The Cyberlead Manual has a more detailed explanation: https://wiki.arcadeotaku.com/w/File:Namco_Cyber_Lead_Manual.pdf

What I've discovered so far is the circular serial connector that ties the JVS IO to the LED control board is a 6-Pin Mini-DIN connector. these are easy to come by since they were used on old PS/2 computer keyboards and mice... HOWEVER the manual shows that two of the pins are swapped on the Cyberlead version of the cable (TX and RX).

I'm still trying to identify the power connector and the control panel connectors on this PCB... mostly the power connector. If anyone knows the model number of the 2-Pin connector in the corner please let me know. Once I have this I can build a power harness and start experimenting.

 

[PascalP]

I will give it a proper read tonight when I’m home, but looks good so far!

Also I can snap some pics of the original harness connectors from my cab to help you identify them

 

[twistedsymphony]

Also I can snap some pics of the original harness connectors from my cab to help you identify them

Thanks! some good pics of the connectors would definitely be helpful.

 

[PascalP]

Here ya go, 2 pin AMP I think

 

[PascalP]

Also I have one spare (6 pin DIN?) cable that interconnects the JVS IO and LED IO somewhere in a box.
I’m gonna dig it up and do a continuity test to see how it is pinned out if you need?

 

[twistedsymphony]

Here ya go, 2 pin AMP I think

Thanks for the pics! I think it's this one right here: https://www.te.com/usa-en/product-172165-1.html

I’m gonna dig it up and do a continuity test to see how it is pinned out if you need?

it should be apparent from the manual diagram but confirmation would be nice. if you can find any manufacturer marks (unlikely, but maybe?) that might help track down a proper source.

 

[PascalP]

That TE looks spot on IMO

I will dig up the cable and share my findings, I now it is not a ‘standard’ DIN connector as it also has a locking mech

 

[PascalP]

Not exactly the same, but kinda like this idea

 

[PascalP]

Here are the pics of the cable

No brand on the connectors, just on the cable itself

 

[nem]

Has it been confirmed it's a 6 pin mini-DIN? From the pic @PascalP took, the arrangement looks different. Could be just the pic though.

 

[PascalP]

@PascalP, can you photograph the connector so that you can make out the pin arrangement? Or maybe draw it on some paper?

You mean on the PCB end?

 

[nem]

Edited my post. See above

This is what a 6 pin mini-DIN looks like:

 

[twistedsymphony]

I've confirmed it is indeed a 6-pin mini din. I bought a few generic ones and they fit perfectly.


I also noticed the PCB has a silkscreen for a generic 6-pin header so it might be easier to populate that with a dupont or JST NH connector instead of trying to deal with the mini-din

 

[smf]

Which Cyberlead io boards have been dumped so far?

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

@twistedsymphony did you make progress on this endeavour?

 

[twistedsymphony]

@twistedsymphony did you make progress on this endeavour?

I managed to source a few board sets but I haven't done any experimentation with any of them yet.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

I managed to source a few board sets but I haven't done any experimentation with any of them yet.

Fair enough. Many projects on foot I expect.

 

[twistedsymphony]

indeed, I've got hundred of projects in the backlog and only so many hours in the day

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

indeed, I've got hundred of projects in the backlog and only so many hours in the day

I did see some reference online to @aje_fr making something with an rpi and having files available to download. It was on neo Arcadia forums perhaps. I’d have to find it.

 

[twistedsymphony]

interesting. post a link here if you find it.