Connect Module
The hardwired firing backbone that makes your existing system smarter, safer, and dramatically more capable.
Connect sits between your existing firing controller and your product. It takes trigger inputs from whatever system you already own, generates 24V firing voltage, routes cues across up to 12 IQ Slats, and manages continuity, safety interlocks, and real-time field monitoring — all in a sealed, IP65-rated field enclosure built for the blast zone.
Capacity
36 cues. 108 outputs. Up to 1,080 igniters.
Connect multiplies what a single cue from your controller can do. Each of 36 logical cues routes to up to 3 IQ Slat output blocks. Each block supports up to 10 individual igniter connections. That's a 30:1 multiplication from cue to igniter — from a single unit.
36 logical cues
Each maps to a trigger input from your existing controller — COBRA, Ignite, or any other system via the built-in cable adapter.
108 physical outputs
12 IQ Slats × 9 output blocks each. Route any cue to any block, or fan one cue across multiple blocks for synchronized simultaneous effects.
Up to 1,080 igniter connections
10 igniters per block, all with individual continuity tracking. Not just per-cue — per igniter.
One-to-many routing
Configure any cue to fire across multiple output blocks simultaneously — mirrored positions, redundant product, or synchronized multi-rack effects. Set up in software, no rewiring.
Open the lid and everything is visible — 108 bi-color cue LEDs through a frosted PC insert, 3.5" TFT showing live slat status, PWR/BATT/SYS indicators, and full navigation controls.
Safety architecture
Hardware safety that doesn't depend on software working correctly.
Every safety layer in Connect is designed so that a software fault, a firmware bug, or a lost signal cannot cause an unsafe firing event. The most critical protections are hardwired — not code.
Hardware shunt relays — fail-safe at power-off
Per-bank relays physically short the firing voltage rails to ground when de-energized. The default state — at power-off, on reset, or on any power interruption — is ENGAGED (safe). Firing voltage cannot reach the IQ Slats unless firmware actively holds the relays open. Cut the power and the system is safe, instantly.
Wet-chain detection — hardware firing block
A dedicated TRIG_WET_N input monitors the trigger harness for wet or fault conditions. If a wet harness or wiring fault is detected, firing is blocked at the hardware pre-fire gate — independently of firmware state. Connect cannot fire when a wet-chain condition is present.
Continuity current orders of magnitude below ignition threshold
Connect's continuity scanning uses a low-level current pulse — far below the threshold required to pre-heat or ignite any igniter type. Continuity checks are a passive measurement, not a firing event. Safe with all igniter families.
Automatic load classification
Connect measures the resistance of every connected igniter block and classifies it automatically. MJG pyrogen bridge igniters and Clip-On nichrome igniters have different resistance profiles and require different firing profiles — voltage, dwell time, and energy delivery. Connect identifies the type and applies the correct profile automatically. Connect is also designed to work with other igniter families — MJG and Clip-On are the most common types in the field and are fully supported from day one.
12-condition pre-fire gate
Before any channel can fire, the Safety Engine verifies all pre-fire conditions simultaneously — trigger path integrity, wet-chain clear, shunts released, PSU above minimum threshold, slat presence and addressing valid, telemetry fresh for all target slats, no driver faults latched, cooldown satisfied, routing constraints met, and load classification valid. Every condition must pass. One failure blocks the entire firing event with a logged reason code.
Thermal monitoring with arming block
An NTC thermistor monitors enclosure ambient temperature. Advisory warning above 55°C; arming is blocked above 70°C. Prevents operation in conditions that could compromise component reliability.
Per-channel output fault protection
Every output channel has built-in overcurrent, thermal shutdown, short-to-ground, and open-load detection. If any channel in a firing path has a latched fault — before or during a firing event — Connect blocks the route entirely. Faults are logged with timestamp and channel address for post-show review.
PSU collapse detection — mid-fire abort
Connect monitors firing voltage continuously. If a voltage sag or PSU collapse is detected during a firing event — from an overloaded cable run, a wiring fault, or a dead battery — the firing event is immediately aborted, a fault is latched, and cooldown is enforced before the system can fire again. Prevents partial ignition from undervoltage conditions.
Per-block cooldown enforcement
Every output block has an independent cooldown state machine based on the thermal load from the most recent firing event — current drawn, dwell time, and load type. Connect will not re-fire a block until cooldown is satisfied. Prevents thermal damage from rapid re-fire sequences and protects both the switching hardware and the igniters.
Boot-safe hardware state
On every power-on or reset, all output shunts are engaged and all switching outputs are disabled at the hardware level — before firmware runs a single instruction. There is no window during boot where the system could produce an unintended output. The system only exits this state after the full safety initialization sequence completes and all pre-fire conditions are verified.
Displays and indicators
Full visibility into every channel, always.
3.5" TFT color display
Live continuity status for every cue and every connected slat. Per-slat IMU angle data during setup. System state, fault logs, and firing history. On the top face — operator looks down during setup and pre-show checks.
108 bi-color cue LEDs
One LED per output channel, visible through a frosted polycarbonate insert on the top lid. Green/red per channel, updated in real time as continuity scans run. At a glance you see which of 108 channels is good and which needs attention — before you ever arm.
E-Ink display — always on
The E-Ink panel is on the front face of the base enclosure — not on the lid. It's visible whether the lid is open or closed, and remains active while the unit is off and charging. Shows system state, slat count, battery level, and charge status. No power required to hold the image.
Status LED array
Per-slat connection status (12 indicators), system status, power, battery, and continuity/shunt state — all on dedicated bi-color LEDs independent of the TFT and I²C fabric. Always readable even during early boot or fault conditions.
Continuity emulation for legacy controllers
When Connect sits between a COBRA, Ignite, or other legacy controller and the igniters, the host controller's continuity probe would normally see an open circuit. Connect emulates a valid ~1Ω load back to the host — so your legacy controller shows normal continuity feedback exactly as it did before PyroNext was installed.
Ignition confirmation — not just fire confirmation
After every firing event, Connect reads current telemetry from the slat. A successful ignition produces a characteristic current profile — spike then decay — that is distinct from a misfire or wire break. Connect can confirm that ignition was actually achieved, not just that a pulse was sent. Most systems can only tell you a cue fired. Connect tells you it ignited.
Post-show telemetry record
Every show generates a complete telemetry record: firing confirmations per channel, fault events with timestamps, peak enclosure temperature, PSU voltage readings throughout the show, and continuity state before and after each firing sequence. Exportable for compliance documentation, insurance records, or reliability review.
Real-time slat health monitoring
Connect continuously polls every connected IQ Slat for voltage, current, temperature flags, and sequence counters. Stale telemetry, missing heartbeats, out-of-range voltages, or dropped sequence numbers all block firing for the affected slat — automatically, without operator intervention. The system knows if a slat is unhealthy before you arm.
E-Ink display on the front face — always visible, no backlight, readable in direct sunlight. Active even while charging with the unit off.
Enclosure
IP65. Sealed. Built for outdoor shows.
IP65 rated
Dust-tight and protected against water jets — with the lid open or closed. Gasket seals on the lid perimeter, LED insert, TFT window, and every panel connector ensure the rating holds in real field conditions.
Pelican-style latched lid
Over-center compression latches maintain gasket preload. Operable with gloves. The lid opens to expose the 108-channel LED matrix and TFT for setup; closes to seal everything for transport and during the show.
E-Ink always visible
Because the E-Ink is on the front face of the base — not the lid — system status is readable in any configuration: lid open during setup, lid closed during the show, or charging overnight in a case.
All connectors IP-rated
Every external connector on the enclosure is IP-rated and circular — 12 Smart Slat Link ports, trigger input ports, AC mains inlet, DC input, and USB-C. No exposed bare connectors anywhere.
Power
All-day battery. AC mains. Both IP-rated. Both field-serviceable.
| Battery chemistry | Lithium-ion, 4S1P — LG M50Lt cells |
| Nominal voltage | 14.76V |
| Capacity | 4.93Ah (4,930mAh nominal / 4,700mAh minimum) |
| Continuous draw | 5A |
| Peak draw | 15A |
| Main connector | XT60 |
| BMS location | On-board (not in pack) — BQ76920-family with NTC thermal monitoring |
| AC mains input | 120Vac via IP-rated panel inlet — full system operation on AC mains, independent of battery |
| Charging | Via AC inlet; E-Ink and battery monitoring active while unit is OFF |
| Battery replacement | Field-replaceable — bottom hatch with captive M3 screws, no tools required |
| Fuse access | Field-accessible — dedicated bottom hatch with captive M3 screws for fault recovery |
Legacy compatibility
Works with the controller you already own.
Smart Slat Link ports — 10mm industrial field cables, IP-rated circular connectors, orange strain reliefs. Built for real field conditions.
Connect's internal 36-channel Trigger Capture board accepts cue outputs from COBRA, Ignite, and other systems via field cable harnesses. No external adapter box. The host controller's firing domain is galvanically isolated from Connect's internal logic — clean grounding, straightforward safety analysis.
See cable adapter and harness options →
Full specifications
| Logical cues | 36 |
| Physical outputs | 108 (12 slats × 9 blocks) |
| Max igniters | 1,080 (10 per block × 9 blocks × 12 slats) |
| Firing voltage | 24V DC (generated internally via boost converter) |
| Igniter types | MJG pyrogen bridge and Clip-On nichrome — auto-classified. Compatible with other igniter families. |
| Slat connection | 12× Smart Slat Link ports — IP-rated circular connectors |
| Slat cable lengths | 5m, 10m, 15m, 20m field cables available |
| Legacy trigger input | 36-channel Trigger Capture PCB (internal), galvanically isolated |
| Continuity current | Well below ignition threshold — safe with all igniter types |
| Displays | 3.5" TFT (top face) + 2.13" E-Ink (front face, always on) |
| Cue LEDs | 108 × bi-color (top lid, frosted PC insert) |
| IP rating | IP65 (lid open and closed) |
| USB | USB-C host — file exchange and firmware updates |
| Expansion | Internal expansion bay for future PyroNext wireless module |
| Operating temperature | −20°C to +60°C |
Show design, routing configuration, and pre-show checks are handled in the Studio App →