Demo program for ISELED® and ILaS®
Our demo software is an advanced example program that enables the control of ISELED® LEDs via ILaS®. This demo program requires the use of our ISELED®uino with our ILaS® shield to facilitate communication over the ILaS® bus. It’s perfect for an easy introduction and for demonstrating the functionality.
For further information, contact us at info@hebatronic.de.
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Everything you need to know about
us and our products.
- All
- 3D Connectors
- Driver-LED
- General
- Hebabox
- ILaS®-Initiator
- ILaS®-Shield
- ISELED® and ILaS®
- ISELED®uino
- Mini-ILaS®-Shield
- Mini-ISELED®uino
What is the difference between Digital I/O and Modbus TCP for EoL testing with Hebabox / Hebastack ?
Both Digital I/O and Modbus TCP can be used to integrate Hebabox / Hebastack into an End-of-Line (EoL) test system. The key difference lies in functionality, data depth, and scalability.
Digital I/O (discrete signals)
With Digital I/O, the Hebabox/Hebastack is controlled via simple binary signals (24 V inputs/outputs).
Typical use cases
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Start / stop a test cycle
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Reset
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Output overall status signals such as Busy, OK, or NOK
Characteristics
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Very simple and robust
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No Ethernet or network configuration required
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Limited to ON/OFF signals
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No parameterization, detailed diagnostics, or measurement data transfer
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Ethernet hardware is not required
Best suited for
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Very simple EoL setups
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Legacy systems
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Applications with minimal functional requirements
Modbus TCP (Ethernet-based communication)
With Modbus TCP, the Hebabox/Hebastack communicates with the PLC via Ethernet using structured data registers.
Typical use cases
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Start / stop and full control of test sequences
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Parameterization (e.g. light values, modes, sequences)
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Reading detailed status, diagnostics, and error codes
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Logging and traceability in production systems
Characteristics
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Significantly higher functional depth
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Structured data exchange instead of single bits
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Scalable and future-proof
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Enables detailed diagnostics and transparency
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Requires Ethernet connection and PLC-side Modbus implementation
Best suited for
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Modern EoL production lines
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Automated test systems with traceability requirements
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OEM / Tier-1 environments
Which option do we recommend?
While both options are supported, we clearly promote Modbus TCP for EoL testing:
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Higher functional value
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More diagnostic and test content
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Better scalability
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Preferred and approved interface in BMW production environments
Digital I/O remains an option for minimal setups, but Modbus TCP is the recommended choice for professional, production-grade EoL testing with Hebabox and Hebastack.
Hebatronic deliberately does not offer LIN-based solutions because LIN is not technically suited for modern ILaS® / ISELED® lighting systems beyond basic control functions.
LIN was designed as a low-speed control bus for simple actuators and sensors. With a maximum data rate of approximately 20 kbit/s, LIN is well suited for commands such as on/off, dimming, or basic status signals. However, it reaches its technical limits very quickly when used for today’s dynamic, high-resolution LED lighting systems.
Modern ILaS® / ISELED® applications require:
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High bandwidth for color and brightness data
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Deterministic timing for synchronized animations
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Scalability to hundreds or thousands of LEDs
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Detailed diagnostic feedback at LED level
These requirements are structurally incompatible with LIN. Using LIN as a transport layer for ILaS® functions inevitably leads to compromises in performance, diagnostics, flexibility, and scalability.
Hebatronic therefore focuses on ILaS-native architectures, where lighting data is handled directly on the ILaS® bus and controlled via industrial, deterministic interfaces (e.g. PLC-based systems). This avoids inheriting the technical limitations of LIN and allows the full capabilities of ILaS® to be used without restriction.
In short:
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LIN is suitable for controlling simple lighting functions.
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ILaS® is required for driving complex, modern LED lighting systems.
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Hebatronic designs its solutions around the requirements of ILaS®, not around the limitations of LIN.
This is a conscious architectural decision to ensure long-term scalability, diagnostic depth, and production robustness.
LIN (Local Interconnect Network) and ILaS® (Intelligent Lighting as a Service) are two fundamentally different communication systems used in vehicles, each designed for a specific purpose.
LIN is a classic, low-cost control bus. It was developed for simple actuators and sensors such as switches, motors, and basic lighting functions. LIN operates at a relatively low data rate and is mainly used to transmit control commands like on/off, dimming, or simple status information.
ILaS®, in contrast, is a high-speed bus specifically designed for modern LED lighting systems. It is optimized for ISELED®-based light modules and transmits synchronized color and brightness data to each individual LED in a chain. In addition, ILaS® enables detailed diagnostic feedback from every LED.
In short:
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LIN is a control bus for simple functions.
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ILaS® is a data bus for complex, dynamic LED lighting.
Key differences at a glance:
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Data rate:
LIN ≈ 20 kbit/s · ILaS® ≈ 2 Mbit/s -
Typical use:
LIN → basic control commands
ILaS® → high-resolution lighting data and animations -
Scalability:
LIN → limited number of nodes
ILaS® → thousands of LEDs in a single chain -
Diagnostics:
LIN → basic
ILaS® → detailed, per-LED diagnostics
In modern vehicle and EOL test architectures, both systems are often used together:
LIN provides the higher-level control or test interface, while ILaS® handles the precise distribution, synchronization, and diagnostics of the lighting system.
Optionally, the connectors are available with ILaS® measurement cables up to 5 m in length.
They are also offered as accessories for the ILaS® Initiator test systems as well as the Hebastack and Hebabox units – or can be purchased individually as standalone components.
Yes, the 3D connectors are compatible with standard production sockets, in-vehicle connector systems, and contact pins and test adapters used in the automotive industry.
The series includes:
- CON8A001A / CON8A001B – 8-pin connectors in black or grey
- CON4A001A – compact 4-pin connector
All models feature integrated strain relief, cable outlet, as well as coding and locking mechanisms.
The connectors are produced using industrial 3D printing technologies (SLS or MJF).
These additive methods offer very high dimensional accuracy, repeatability, and mechanical strength—ideal for frequent mating cycles, precise fits, and customer-specific adaptations.
At the same time, 3D printing enables fast turnaround from prototypes to small series production.
The Hebatronic 3D Connector Series has been specifically designed for development, validation, and testing environments.
Typical use cases include prototype setups, EoL (end-of-line) testers, test systems, and integration environments within the ILaS® and ISELED® ecosystem.
Thanks to their high mechanical stability and customizable geometry, they are suitable for both laboratory applications and series-level use in test systems.
Yes, the Hebabox/Hebastack is scalable and future-proof. It comes with the current Hebatronic software and can be flexibly extended for future ISELED® generations.
Yes. Hebabox and Hebastack are specifically designed for use in automated End-of-Line (EoL) test systems and are intended for series production environments.
They act as a robust, PLC-integrated gateway between the test system and the ILaS® / ISELED® bus, enabling deterministic and reproducible testing under real production conditions.
Typical EoL test functions include:
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Deterministic initialization of the ILaS® bus
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Automatic node detection (node count / presence check)
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Verification of communication integrity and timing
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Evaluation of module status and error conditions
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Functional activation of light modules for GO / NO-GO decisions
Integration into the test system
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PLC connection via Modbus TCP (recommended for maximum functionality and diagnostics)
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Alternatively via Digital I/O for simple, minimal EoL setups
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Clear separation between test logic (PLC) and gateway functionality (Hebabox / Hebastack)
Production and OEM readiness
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Designed for continuous operation in production lines
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Scalable to different test depths and requirements
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Used and approved in OEM and Tier-1 EoL environments (e.g. BMW)
In short:
Hebabox and Hebastack are not laboratory tools — they are production-grade EoL components that integrate seamlessly into modern, PLC-controlled test systems.
In which variants are the Hebabox/Hebastack available?
The Hebabox and Hebastack product family offers flexible gateway solutions for ILaS® and ISELED® systems – from robust devices in IP-protected housings to compact board stacks for direct control cabinet integration.
- Hebabox: three variants (Connect, Control, Core) for Ethernet connectivity, PLC communication, and manual rework.
- Hebastack: two variants (Connect, Compact) as space-saving board stacks for industrial automation and PLC control.
This provides a total of five models, suitable for everything from EOL testing and quality assurance to fully automated production – always delivered with the latest Hebatronic software preinstalled and future-proof for upcoming ISELED® generations.
In addition to Ethernet (Modbus TCP), the Hebabox/Hebastack features digital inputs and outputs (I/Os) for direct control of assemblies and test systems.
The Hebabox/Hebastack supports all common PLC controllers that communicate via Modbus TCP. This makes it flexible for integration into existing automation and production systems.
If you only want to control ISELED®, then you can use the FastLED functions. For ILaS® we currently only have the basic commands like Set_Dimm_Level, and Set_RGB; just like Adafruit’s Neopixel. However, we will provide the FastLED conversion for IlaS® in the future. We also have other solutions for more unusual programming requirements. Please contact us.
ILaS® is a new fieldbus that can transmit various light sequences at a bus data rate of 2 Mbit/s, enabling video-speed control. ILaS® stands for “ISELED® Light and Sensor” and is currently mainly used in the automotive sector, particularly by BMW in vehicles starting in 2025. With this fieldbus, not only can LEDs be controlled via the ISELED protocol, but sensors and actuators can also be integrated and read in any quantity and combination. With the continuously growing number of LEDs, especially in vehicles, significantly higher data rates for control and diagnostics can be realized.
The power supply is provided via an external plug-in power supply 12V/1A, which is included in the delivery.
A manual with instructions (Quickstart-Guide) can be downloaded as a PDF file from the IlaS®-Initiator website.
The ILaS®duino is powered via USB or 12V. To do this, connect the ISELED®uino pins E_P, E_N, and Gnd to ILAS_H_IN, ILAS_L_IN, GND. The ISELED® lighting modules can be powered with external 12V, but it is essential to connect the GNDs together. On the ISELED®uino, all pins can be used except for A3, A5, and A6. These are the communication pins between the microcontroller and the ILaS®-Shield.
As a rule, the basic firmware is included. Additionally, an example program is available for download in the Help Center.
The documentation is part of the example program, which is available for download in the help center.
Do you have any questions?
If you need further assistance, we are happy to help. Use our support form for technical inquiries or personalized support. Our team is here to assist you!
