Subject:
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Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:16:22 GMT
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Viewed:
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15510 times
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In lugnet.trains, Gereon Stein wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, Jordan Schwarz wrote:
> > HiTechnic / LEGO now offer an "Infrared Link" for the NXT that seems to be
> > exactly the sort of thing you're describing here - and it is advertised as being
> > compatible with the Power Functions and train IR protocol. This would mean that
> > no reverse engineering is necessary - just hook it up to the NXT and go.
> >
> > It will be interesting to see what people come up with when they combine this
> > with trains. I foresee a sort of primitive DCC - sensors on a layout would be
> > coupled with the IR links to send signals to a train in response to movements of
> > a train. You know, one train pulls into a yard, signaling another to pull out
> > of the station. I think all of that will be within reach with the new IR link.
> >
> > Here's the link to the, um... "link":
> > <http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=MS1046>
>
> Hi Jordan,
>
> while this sounds like an interesting solution, it also sounds like a very
> expensive one as opposed to going for RF in the first place (yep, I know that RF
> remote controls have their own issues, power consumption being a significant one
> above all).
>
> It would seem to be a good idea to have a similar IR solution for the RCX (which
> is more readily available (read: cheaper)). That would need to be in software
> since the RCX is perfectly IR equipped as far as I am concerned.
>
> The all-plastic tracks have their pros and cons - I'd have preferred to stay
> with the metal tracks after all. As a matter of fact, I still don't own _a_ new
> IR train set...
>
> Jerry
Hi Jerry,
I certainly agree that this might not be a cost-effective solution or a very
efficient way to implement DCC (although there are surely those out there who
will pursue it anyway). I was just trying to emphasize that there isn't reall a
need to "reverse engineer" the IR protocol to build a controller, because there
already is one. Also, for many years, trainheads have thought it would be nice
if LEGO produced a DCC platform for us to use. Although very primitive, the
potential is here for a computer-controlled train system using parts available
from LEGO, without modification.
(Of course, that will cost $250 for the NXT plus another $50 for the sensor plus
whatever you pay for the train)
-Jordan
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
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| (...) I'm pretty sure the RCX could be programmed to throw PF control messages... and while this would be a lot cheaper from a HW standpoint at the moment, I'm not sure it would be long-term. Right now the RCX is cheap(er) on eBay, but as they (...) (16 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
| | | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
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| (...) On second thought, that doesn't look all that bad actually. Provided there is a way to eventually control more than one train and set up several IR interfaces (for positions where the optical link would otherwise fail) with a single RCX, the (...) (16 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: LEGO 9V Train Communication II
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| (...) Hi Jordan, while this sounds like an interesting solution, it also sounds like a very expensive one as opposed to going for RF in the first place (yep, I know that RF remote controls have their own issues, power consumption being a significant (...) (16 years ago, 19-Dec-07, to lugnet.trains)
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