Priority and Arbitration

sACN Priorities

A Net3/sACN source can have a priority of 1-200. 200 is highest, and 1 is lowest. This property decides the priority status of this source if there are multiple sources, for example having both an Eos Family console and Unison Paradigm on the same network. Sources with the same priority arbitrate levels using HTP logic (highest level wins). If there are different priorities, the highest priority will "win".

The Priority Mode property displays for the selected DMX input port or the sACN universe. Available priority modes in the Property Editor include "Per Port" and "Per Address".

"Per Port" - a single priority is used for all addresses on this universe. You can apply a single port priority in this mode.
"Per Address" - a separate priority is available for each address on this universe. Each address supports a unique priority setting in all tabular "Patch" views. The port priority setting still applies for any sACN devices that do not support "Per Address" priorities.

Note: To view priority settings in the Patch view, the user access level must be set to the Advanced level.

Arbitration of Input Sources

As outputs are patched to architectural control channels, an equal input patch is created by default. For instance, if you patch channels to DMX B output, the same addresses are also patched to DMX A input. Input sources can be directly mapped to an output universe which allows data to pass-through the Paradigm processor to the selected output using the Input Universe Editor.

There can be multiple input sources mapped to the same output universe. When an input source is mapped to an output universe the actual output becomes a combination of any of the following signals (based on which inputs are assigned to that output):

External DMX input source data
External sACN input data
Paradigm processor generated levels (architectural control channel levels)

Note: When the Priority setting is Auto (default), arbitration modes will manipulate sACN priorities dynamically as conditions change. If a numeric value is present for Priority, that value will be used for sACN per address priority. As needed, you may delete the numeric value for the channel and replace the setting with Auto.

When considering multiple input sources the Paradigm Processor evaluates levels first by priority, and then by arbitration rules to compare with architectural control channel levels.

In LightDesigner version 5.0 and later, updated arbitration modes were introduced including:

HTP by Intensity - this mode (the default setting for systems created in v5.0 and later) allows the Paradigm Processor to compare the intensity value of the highest external source to the architectural intensity level and takes or yields control of all fixture parameters based on the intensity winner. The processor does similar calculations for virtual intensity fixtures to create the same effect.
Prefer External if Intensity Nonzero - similar to HTP by Intensity, this mode compares intensity levels and act upon whole fixtures, selecting the control source winner based on different rules.
Prefer Arch if Intensity Nonzero - similar to HTP by Intensity, this mode compares intensity levels and acts upon whole fixtures, selecting the control source winner based on different rules.

When the signal comes into the processor, the level of the highest priority source "wins" and is compared against the architectural levels according to one of these possible arbitration rules:

Arbitration Mode	Resultant Level per Address Priority
HTP by Intensity*	1: arch intensity <= external 200: arch intensity > external
Prefer External if Intensity Nonzero*	1: external intensity > 0 200: external intensity == 0, or no external intensity source
Prefer Arch if Intensity Nonzero†	200: arch intensity > 0 1: arch intensity == 0
HTP with Priority	100: if arch level>external level, and external priority = 100 100: always if external priority ≤ 99 1: if arch level ≤ external level and external priority = 100 1: always if external priority ≤ 101
Prefer Arch	200
Prefer External*	1
Prefer External If Active*	1: external address source present 100: no external address source present
Prefer External if Nonzero*	200: external address level == 0, or no external address sources 1: external address level > 0
Prefer Arch if Nonzero	200: arch address level > 0 1: arch address level == 0
Use External as Master*	200
Use Arch as Master	200
*External means HTP with Priority merge of all sources from anything other than arch control in the given Paradigm processor or partners within its sub-project.

Assign Arbitration to an Output

Double-click on a DMX output universe in the Browser (located beneath "Processors").
Click on the Universe Summary tab located on the bottom of the Patch view.
If the channels have been patched, locate the output address to be modified.
Double-click on "Arbitration" for that output.
Select the arbitration type from the drop-down list.

Note: If multiple external sources are present, Paradigm will dynamically arbitrate between itself and the combination of all external sources. Multiple external sources (local DMX in and sACN) are merged, respecting highest priority then level, to a single value before the arbitration type is applied.

Arbitration is purely a determination between incoming levels of external devices and the Paradigm processor generated Architectural levels. Combinations of multiple external sources still require coordination outside of Paradigm.

Channel, Group, and Space Set Arbitration Type for Actions

When different unique arbitration settings are required for the same channel, group, or space, you may adjust the arbitration type using Channel, Group, or Space Set Arbitration Types available in the Action property for controls, macros, and timed events. The action allows any arbitration mode and will automatically set the appropriate matching Arch Priority according to the standard options (Prefer Arch, Prefer External, etc.)