(DCC++) CommandStation-EX v3.0.0 Production Release

[Momfer]

DCC++ EX Command station, de voortzetting van DCC++ heeft sinds enkele dagen een nieuwe, stabiele productie release en gaat verder onder de naam CommandStation-EX. Daarmee is de DCC++ centrale familie weer back on track bron

website: http://dcc-ex.com/

The DCC-EX Team is pleased to release CommandStation-EX-v3.0.0 as a Production Release. This release is a major re-write of earlier versions. We've re-architected the code-base so that it can better handle new features going forward. Download the compressed files here:

Nieuwe mogelijkheden van CommandStation-EX V3.0.0:

• WiFi Support - AP and station modes supported. Auto-detection of an ESP8266 WiFi module with AT firmware on a Mega's serial port. Connection to JMRI and WiThrottle clients.
• Withrottle Integrations - Act as a host for four WiThrottle clients concurrently.
• Add LCD/OLED support - OLED supported on Mega only
• Improved CV programming routines - checks for length of CV pulse, and breaks out of the wait state once it has received an ACK, now reading one CV per second.
• Improved current sensing - rewrote current sensing routines for safer operation. Current thresholds based on milliamps, not magic numbers
• Individual track power control - Ability to toggle power on either or both tracks, and to "JOIN" the tracks and make them output the same waveform for multiple power districts.
• Single or Dual-Pin PWM output - Allows control of H-bridges with PH/EN or dual PWM inputs
• New, simpler function command - <F> command allows setting functions based on their number, not based on a code as in <f>
• Function reminders - Function reminders are sent in addition to speed reminders
• Functions to F28 - All NMRA functions are now supported
• Filters and user functions - Ability to filter commands in the parser and execute custom code based on them
• Diagnostic <D> commands - See documentation for a full list of new diagnostic commands
• Rewrote DCC++ Parser - more efficient operation, accepts multi-char input and uses less RAM
• Rewritten waveform generator - capable of using any pin for DCC waveform out, eliminating the need for jumpers
• Rewritten packet generator - Simplify and make smaller, remove idea of "registers" from original code
• Add free RAM messages - Free RAM messages are now printed whenever there is a decerase in available RAM
• Fix EEPROM bugs
• Number of locos discovery command - <#> command
• Support for more locomotives - 20 locomotives on an UNO and 50 an a Mega.
• Automatic slot managment - slot variable in throttle/function commands are ignored and slot management is taken care of automatically. <!> command added to release locos from memory.

Bekende problemen

• Consisting through JMRI - currently does not work in this release. A number of testers were able to develop a work around. If interested enter a Support Ticket.
• Wi-Fi - works, but can be challenging to use if you want to switch between AP mode and STA station mode.
• Pololu Motor Shield - is supported with this release, but the user may have to play around with some timings to enable programming mode due to limitation in its current sensing circuitry

[Momfer]

Voorbereiden van het motorboard:

1. Doorkrassen Vin trace, Vin moet geisoleerd worden van de Arduino om schade aan de Arduino te voorkomen
2. Er zijn GEEN jumpers meer nodig! (dat was bij DCC++ wel het geval)
3. Het is NIET noodzakelijk om de Break Disable trace door te krassen. Het doorkrassen maakt 2 extra pinnen vrij voor I/O, maar is voor het goed functioneren van de CS Ex dus niet noodzakelijk.
4. NIET VERGETEN: KRAS de Vin TRACE door

zie: Trainboard.com en Dcc-ex.com voor nadere toelichting/discussie.

[Momfer]

Veel mensen ondervinden problemen met het programmeren en uitlezen van CV's, dat was ook al zo in DCC++.

In CommandStation-EX is daar een mooie oplossing voor gevonden. Middels de opdracht <D ACK LIMIT ###> kan voor het programmeerspoor de gevoeligheid worden vergroot. Deze is standaard ingesteld op 60mA, maar voor N-spoor locjes is dat vaak te hoog.

Bij de klokankermotortjes van Tramfabriek heb ik deze waarde op 10mA moeten instellen <D ACK LIMIT 10> om goede resultaten te verkrijgen.

Met <D ACK ON> (diagnosemodus) gevolgd door <R 8 1 1> (lees CV 8 uit, code van de producent) kan e.e.a. getest worden.

De centrale laat dan zien wat er gebeurd (uitvoer is bij elke decoder verschillend):

ACK-BASELINE 33/98mA
V0 cv=8 bit=7 NO-ACK after 143mS max=12/35mA pulse=0uS
V1 cv=8 bit=7 ACK-OK after 34mS max=646/1931mA pulse=6852uS
V0 cv=8 bit=6 ACK-OK after 34mS max=583/1743mA pulse=6844uS
V0 cv=8 bit=5 ACK-OK after 34mS max=646/1931mA pulse=6800uS
V0 cv=8 bit=4 NO-ACK after 144mS max=12/35mA pulse=0uS
V0 cv=8 bit=3 ACK-OK after 34mS max=563/1683mA pulse=6792uS
V0 cv=8 bit=2 ACK-OK after 34mS max=647/1934mA pulse=6800uS
V0 cv=8 bit=1 ACK-OK after 34mS max=573/1713mA pulse=6844uS
V0 cv=8 bit=0 NO-ACK after 145mS max=14/41mA pulse=0uS
VB cv=8 value=145 ACK-OK after 34mS max=639/1910mA pulse=6848uS
Callback(145)
<r1|1|8 145>

<D ACK OFF> zet de diagnosemodus weer uit.

Deze opdrachten kunnen via de opdrachtregel van de seriële monitor worden ingegeven, waarna de centrale deze instelling vasthoudt totdat deze wordt afgesloten, wordt gereset, of met <D ACK LIMIT 60> weer terug op de originele (conform NMRA-richtlijn) waarde wordt gezet.

Programmeer je met een locdecoder programma zoals DecoderPro, dan kun je starten met het veranderen van de gevoeligheid in de arduino seriële monitor met <D ACK LIMIT ###>, dan de monitor afsluiten om de com-poort vrij te geven voor het betreffende programma. Daarna ga je aan de slag met programmeren in je programma zoals je gewend bent!

[matthijskuiper]

De extra check met <ack on> is zeker verstandig.
Let wel op dat dit hoofdletter gevoelig is.

In combinatie met jmri is het kanaal van little wicked railway erg nuttig.
Hij heeft ook een c/mri script in zijn series voor wissel bediening.

[Momfer]

c/mri heeft volledige ondersteuning in JMRI, net als DCC++ EX. Little Wicked Railway heeft daar inderdaad duidelijke filmpjes over op YT.

De aanpassingen in Ex worden gelijk ook verwerkt in JMRI als dat nodig is. Helaas is dat bij RocRail niet het geval, maar op dit moment is alles (nog) werkend te krijgen in RocRail zonder al te veel beperkingen.

[matthijskuiper]

Cmri wordt niet door rocrail ondersteunt.
Dat maakt het iets lastiger om wissels en detectie aan te sluiten.

Heb je hier ook al iets op gevonden?

[Momfer]

Ik heb geen cmri kennis of hardware, dus kan daar niets zinnigs over zeggen. Rob heeft op het rocrailforum aangegeven dat hij er niets in ziet. Als een hoop mensen aangeven dat ze het willen, kan dat misschien een verandering in inzicht geven, maar ik verwacht er niet veel van. Er worden al heel veel hardwareoplossingen ondersteund.

[Momfer]

Inmiddels is DCC-Ex aangekomen bij versie 3.0.7

Known Bugs:

Consisting through JMRI - currently does not work in this release. You may use the command to do this manually.
Wi-Fi - works, but can be challenging to use if you want to switch between AP mode and STA station mode.
Pololu Motor Shield - is supported with this release, but the user may have to play around with some timings to enable programming mode due to limitation in its current sensing circuitry

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.7

Support for 28 Speed steps - Option to turn on 28 step speed decoders in addition to 128. If set, all locos will use 28 steps.
Improved overload messages with raw values (relative to offset)

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.6

Prevent compiler warning about deprecated B constants
Fix Bug that did not let us transmit 5 byte sized packets - 5 Byte commands like PoM (programming on main) were not being sent correctly
Huge function numbers (DCC BinaryStateControl) - Support Functions beyond F28
<!> ESTOP all - New command to emergency stop all locos on the main track
<- [cab]> estop and forget cab/all cabs - Stop and remove loco from the CS. Stops the repeating throttle messages
command to reboot arduino
Automatic sensor offset detect -
Improved startup msgs from Motor Drivers (accuracy and auto sense factors) -
Drop post-write verify - No need to double check CV writes. Writes are now even faster.
Allow current sene pin set to UNUSED_PIN - No need to ground an unused analog current pin. Produce startup warning and callback -2 for prog track cmds.

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.5

Fix Fn Key startup with loco ID and fix state change for F16-28

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.4

**"Drive-Away" Feature added so that throttles like Engine Driver can allow a loco to be programmed on a usable, electrically isolated programming track and then drive off onto the main track.
WiFi Startup Fixes

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.3

command to write loco address and clear consist
command will allow for consist address
Startup commands implemented

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.2:

Create new output for current in mA for <c> command - New current response outputs current in mA, overlimit current, and maximum board capable current
Simultaneously update JMRI to handle new current meter

Summary of the key new features added to CommandStation-EX V3.0.1:

Add back fix for jitter
Add Turnouts, Outputs and Sensors to <s> command output


Functions to F28 - All NMRA functions are now supported
Filters and user functions - Ability to filter commands in the parser and execute custom code based on them. (ex: Redirect Turnout commands via NRF24)
Diagnostic <D> commands - See documentation for a full list of new diagnostic commands
Rewrote DCC++ Parser - more efficient operation, accepts multi-char input and uses less RAM
Rewritten waveform generator - capable of using any pin for DCC waveform out, eliminating the need for jumpers
Rewritten packet generator - Simplify and make smaller, remove idea of "registers" from original code
Add free RAM messages - Free RAM messages are now printed whenever there is a decerase in available RAM
Fix EEPROM bugs
Number of locos discovery command - <#> command
Support for more locomotives - 20 locomotives on an UNO and 50 an a Mega.
Automatic slot managment - slot variable in throttle/function commands are ignored and slot management is taken care of automatically. <!> command added to release locos from memory.

[Momfer]

DCC Ex versie 3.0.7 verschenen, belangrijkste verandering is de ondersteuning voor 28 stappen.

DCC Ex ver. 3.0.7 op GitHub
release notes

[Momfer]

Vandaag is de nieuwe "production release" van CommandStation EX vrijgegeven. Het betreft versie 3.1.0

https://dcc-ex.com/
https://github.com/DCC-EX/CommandStation-EX/releases