Long-distance RGB scene management

Choosing the right infrastructure for distributed lighting control

When it comes to controlling dynamic outdoor lighting — especially RGB poles installed along long road segments — selecting the right data transmission architecture is critical. Often, lighting control is designed after power lines have already been installed, which raises a key question:
How can we manage lighting efficiently and in sync across distances of several kilometers?

 

Why device-to-device retransmission may be insufficient
Some projects use systems where one controller receives the signal and then passes it to the next. This may work for simple actions (on/off, dimming), but becomes a technical bottleneck when managing dynamic RGB scenes, which require high synchronization and signal stability.

In a typical wireless DMX control architecture:

  • The master station signal can cover up to 300–500 meters
  • With retransmission (hopping), each additional hop adds only ~100 meters of reliable range

After 3–4 hops:

  • Data transmission delays increase
  • Packet loss and command distortion become more likely
  • RGB scenes start to fall out of sync
  • Animations degrade or fail to render

As a result, when managing long lighting lines with many nodes, cascading DMX signal retransmission becomes unreliable, especially for animations or advanced lighting effects.

What we recommend for these systems

 

1. Fiber Optic Cable Installation

If the project is at the construction stage, and there is a chance to install control lines along with the power infrastructure, fiber optics remains the most technically robust solution:

  • Supports any protocol: DMX, Art-Net, sACN
  • Fully synchronized, immune to radio interference
  • Long-term reliability in continuous operation

While fiber offers the best performance, it's important to note that groundwork and materials significantly increase the budget, often making this solution less feasible for retrofits or existing installations.

2. GSM-Based Controllers with GPS Synchronization

If the lighting system is already installed and cable installation is not possible, GSM architecture offers an excellent wireless alternative:

  • Each controller receives its scenario and schedule directly
  • Local execution — no dependency on neighboring units
  • GPS-based synchronization guarantees aligned scene playback, even across long distances
  • Private APN options provide secure, isolated data transmission

In terms of budget, the GSM solution is approximately 10 times more affordable than fiber — while still delivering precise, scalable control.

This approach is particularly well-suited for modernizing existing projects or situations where trenching is technically or economically unviable.

 

Conclusion
Lighting control is about much more than simply switching things on. When architectural or decorative scenes are involved, accuracy, smoothness, and perfect synchronization become mission-critical.
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” protocol — instead, it’s about matching the infrastructure to the task.