Leema-acoustics Hydra Handbook - What Is Lips?

The following section is intended for installers, system integrators and third party manufacturers.

What is LIPS?

LIPS or Leema Intelligent Protocol System, facilitates communication between various items in a Leema audio system.  It allows 

units such as Tucana, to control other items in a chain.  Leema’s 5.2 surround system is a good example, where a Tucana 

controls a Hydra and Corvus.  Key information including volume level, input selection and power control is passed through the 

bus enabling other units to operate in synchronisation.  Intelligence is added within each receiving unit, for example, a Hydra 

installed as part of a surround system ‘knows’ that it won’t be required when listening to a stereo source such as CD.  Therefore, 

when the Hydra ‘sees’ the CD input, it powers itself down.

Each Leema unit can be controlled via the LIPS bus.  Controlling a Tucana externally for example, enables it to be used within a 

home automation system.

LIPS Specifics

The LIPS bus is driven by an open-drain output.  Leema can supply interface modules as required.  The communication standard 

follows the common RS232 format of No Parity, 8 data bits and 1 stop bit.  The baud rate is 38400.

LIPS Packets

Each communication on the LIPS bus contains a packet of four data bytes as follows:

First a header is sent with a value of 255.  This alerts the receivers to incoming data.

Next, a command header is sent.  For a volume command, this would be 40. (see below for details).

Next, a value relating to the command is sent.  For volume this would be 0 to 248.

Finally a tail byte is sent with a value of 0.

LIPS

HYDRA

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