Subject:
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Re: DCC Madness - One Step Beyond
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto
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Date:
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Mon, 30 Jul 2001 17:25:09 GMT
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Viewed:
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410 times
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In lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, Derek Raycraft writes:
> DCC is really cool for manual control of multiple trains on the same track.
> However it doesn't provide any positional feedback so you can't easily have
> automatic control of the trains.
The software we're using, TMWDCC 1.33, allows for a "route" mode which can
execute timed switch throwing, but that's about the extent of it.
Iain Hendry has been thinking about this for a while. One system we thought
of was using a Dacta Control Lab (eight sensor inputs, eight outputs) to do
automated cab/block control, but then the DCC thing rolled around...
> You could place a transponder in each train, then put antenna wires under
> the track at strategic points. As the train passed over that point you
> would know which train it was and could react to it presents. The antenna
> could be designed as a localized device that ran as a sensor for a RCX. The
> RCX could then do something based on passing of a train. Or the antennas
> could be brought back to a central location and the DCC computer could used
> this data.
It's easier to use a non RCX system, as the RCX is really limited in terms
of sensor capabilities. One possibility is to use industrial automation PLCs.
> So feel free to smack me up side the head for bringing something like this
> up before there is even a working DDC system setup. Also, I don't even have
> the electronics skills or know how to even begin setting something like this
> up. So feel free to smack me up side the head for that too. I was just
> thinking out loud. :-)
It's a good idea which we can look into in the future. I know Iain would
really love to work on this, so there's definitely interest. There's a few
more technical issues which I'd be worried about-mainly how to take the
sensor system into the TMWDCC control system. As of now, it doesn't now
allow for external process control at all, and there's no source for it :(
Calum
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: DCC Madness - One Step Beyond
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| "Calum Tsang" <tsangc@mie.utoronto.ca> wrote in message news:GHAr1x.Cur@lugnet.com... (...) PLCs. Hmm, I dunno. 4 096 I/O might not be enough. (...) few (...) I have this thought on wether or not stuff should be completly automated, but I don't know (...) (23 years ago, 30-Jul-01, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto)
| | | Re: DCC Madness - One Step Beyond
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| (...) Actually, there is transponding systems available for DCC, Digitrax make them (I'm playing with just normal DCC for now anyway...and only have 2 decoders fitted...) DCC is not intended to be used to computer control trains...but, to run more (...) (23 years ago, 30-Jul-01, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | DCC Madness - One Step Beyond
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| This thread in trains got me thinking: (URL) is really cool for manual control of multiple trains on the same track. However it doesn't provide any positional feedback so you can't easily have automatic control of the trains. In the above thread (...) (23 years ago, 28-Jul-01, to lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto)
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