NET Processor: FAST Serial Protocol Overview¶
FAST Serial Protocol: Overview & First Steps
This documentation section is about the FAST Serial Protocol (FSP) commands, which are the low-level commands a host computer sends to a FAST board. Most FAST Pinball makers do not need to know about these details, since the pinball game framework (such as the Mission Pinball Framework) handles this communication for you.
If you're writing your own game framework, we have a series of programming guides. Also, be sure to read the overview of how FSP works and how to connect first.
Every FAST Platform Controller has a NET processor which interfaces with the driver board(s) and controls switches and drivers.
In FAST Modern Platform controllers, such as the Neuron or Nano, the NET processor manages the FAST I/O Loop which connects all the I/O Boards (node boards). For Retro Platform Controllers, the NET processor communicates with all the classic hardware in the machine, including matrix switches, drivers, matrix lamps, aux boards, and GI.
There are slightly different commands for the NET processor depending on which platform controller you're connecting to. (e.g. the Neuron controller does use matrix lamps commands, etc.)
Note that the "other" things in a pinball machine, such as RGB LEDs, servos, displays, etc. are controlled via other serial ports talking to other processors on the FAST Controller. See the FAST Serial Protocol Overview for details.
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