OpenDCC - OpenDecoder

(for B/NL)

OpenDCC OpenDecoder - a DIY DCC accessory decoder

Overview


Decoder Version 1	Decoder Version 2

Hardware

Hardware 1:
This simple hardware platform is based on Attiny2313 (2k Flash) and dimensions 50*80mm (one sided layout). There are large screw clamps, a programming tracer, a LED, one extra jumper and separated supply on the board. The DCC input is done with an opto coupler. All components are through hole parts.

Depending on the used software different decoders can be realized:

Type	Application
Turnout and Switch Decoder	control of turnouts or wing signals programmable pulse durations switch of simple light signals control of a traffic light
Signal Decoder	control of light signals, up to 7 aspects including dimming and intermediate dark phase crossing light with additional control for Faller Car traffic light with control of stopping magnet for Faller Car
Ligth Decoder	Up to 8 street or building illuminations simulation of neon tubes random processing for day-night processing
NatriumDecoder	Street lights with simulation of sodium vapor lamps, including a randomly defective bulb
Effects Decoder	Road working flasher, running light light column for advertisment and fun park, including smooth transitions
Motor Decoder	special decoder for controlling a river boat with pwm and local tracers for operation
Watchdog Decoder	Settable time until shutdown of the model railway in case of a failure of the computer or the central station.

A special version with dimensions 18 * 200mm can be used as signal bridge in a hidden yard. This version has onboard LEDs in red and green for four light signals.

Hardware 2:
This decoder is based on ATmega8515 (8k Flash, 512 bytes RAM and 512 bytes EEPROM). This board uses partly SMD, but still with fairly large components thus allowing for manual soldering.

The board again has the dimensions 80*50mm (two sided layout), large screw clamps and same mounting holes like platfrom 1. There are 8 (main-)output or 8 inputs. An acknowledge pulse can be fed back on the DCC side. The interface to DCC is completely opto coupled and depending on solder jumper the board is supplied from DCC or from a separate power source.
There are two connectors for servos and alternatively a DMX interface can be fitted (both TX and RX). Motor control is possible with an add-on card.
Additionally, there is also a version of hardware2 without SMD and a stripped down version only for servo control.
The decoder is fully programmable through CVs, thus can be operated as NRMA compatible accessory decoder. (but needn't :-).

There is following software for decoder 2:

Type	Application
Dual Servo Decoder	movement of any accessory parts on the model railway i.e. flags, barriers, whips, goals freely defined curves for time and location resulting in realistic movements. Special precautions were made to achieve a servo movement with no ripple. Two servos can be connected.
Multiposition Servo Decoder	movement of any accessory parts on the model railway up to 8 different target positions, no intremediate stop, smooth operation (either linear or with soft acceleration and brake). Manual operation is also possible.
Turnout Decoder with Feedback	Control of turnouts and surveillance of the real position feedback of non-functional turnout to the central station and/or forcing an emergency brake. programmable pulse duration, control of flags.
DMX Decoder	versatile decoder for room lights with DCC to DMX Interface and flexible macro programming, similar to the room light control in the central station. Comes togehter with a watchdog controller.
Roundabout-Decoder	flexible decoder combining motor control and light control, specially for roundabouts and entertainment parks. different running lights, motor control with PWM
Semaphore and light decoder	freely programmable semaphores with up to 16 aspects; traffic lights, rail crossing, blinking; light effects like light column, running light, nightrider, flashing, double flashing

Hardware 3:
This decoder is based on ATmega162 (8k Flash, 1024 bytes RAM and 512 bytes EEPROM). This board uses mostly SMD, but still with fairly large components thus allowing for manual soldering. It will be available of the shelf.

The board has the dimensions 73*82mm (two sided layout), large screw clamps on one side and selectable DMX Easynet or XpressNet on the other side. Loconet will be possible after getting the license issues solved. There are 2 servo outputs, 4 relais outputs and 4 inputs. An acknowledge pulse and/or NMRA BiDi can be fed back on the DCC side. The interface to DCC is completely opto coupled and depending on solder jumper the board is supplied from DCC or from a separate power source.
The decoder is fully programmable through CVs, thus can be operated as NRMA compatible accessory decoder. (but needn't :-). BiDi (RailCom) will be avaiable.
From 2008-02 this decoder is commercially available. Tams offers two versions: SD-22 (Servodecoder) und DMX-1 (DMX-Decoder).

There is following software for decoder 3:

Type	Application
Dual Servo Decoder	movement of any accessory parts on the model railway i.e. flags, barriers, whips, goals freely defined curves for time and location resulting in realistic movements. Special precautions were made to achieve a servo movement with no ripple. Including four relais for polarisation of the frog of a switch.
Multiposition Servo Decoder	Smooth operation of one servo with up to 8 direct addressable target positions. i.e. for a segmented turntable
DMX Decoder (planned)	versatile decoder for room lights with DCC to DMX Interface and flexible macro programming, similar to the room light control in the central station. Comes togehter with a watchdog controller.
Relais Decoder	Individual control of four Relais

AniMat:
This unit is also usable as decoder and is based on AT90can128 (128k Flash, 4096 bytes RAM and 4096 bytes EEPROM). This board uses SMD with small components and requires some experience with soldering.

The board has the dimensions 80x50mm (two sided layout). It comes with 2 servo outputs, 8 general purpose outputs and inputs. Two H-brigdes are for motor control. Sound could be played with an microSD card and a mp3-chip plus audio power amplifier. An acknowledge pulse and/or NMRA BiDi can be fed back on the DCC side. The interface to DCC is not opto coupled and depending on solder jumper the board is supplied from DCC or from a separate power source.

Software:

Turnout and Switch Decoder:
(for hardware V.1)
This implements a conventional decoder with four outputs for either turnouts or light signals. The pulse duration is programmable: 0.25s, 0.5s 1s and 2s can be selected. Addtionally there are modes for signals with 2, 3 or 4 aspects and a traffic light.

the download contains precompiled versions for 10MHz and 8MHz CPUs.
Turnout and Switch Decoder:
(for hardware V.2)
This software has the same functionality like the decoder above (execption: no signals with more then two aspects), but adds CV programming and all NRMA commands. The real position of a turnout is detected, defective turnouts are displayed.
Signal Decoder:
(for hardware V.1)
This software acts as special decoder for light signals. Nearly every type of signal can be controlled (with two or more aspects). Currently implemented are signals of the DB with correct dimming and a short dark phase between aspects.
You will find a good overview on different aspects at www.stellwerke.de
If main signal and announcing signal are mounted on the same place, the announcing singal must kept dark, if the main signal is showing stop (Hp00) or intra station traffic (Sh1).
Light Decoder:
(for hardware V.1)
This software implements a special decoder for light control. Each output can be controlled either individually or as a group with random delays for turning on or off. An application is the lighting of lamps during dawn. This intended to be used together with the room light control of OpenDCC. Another mode simulated the turning-on of complete street, including the typical starting sequence (flickering) of fluorescent lights.
Effects Decoder:
(for hardware V.1)
This software implements a special decoder for light effects, mainly running lights and light columns. All modes use a flexible timing engine, which implement the dimming between different outputs with a predefined curve. A typical application are running flash lights like used on road construction sites.
DMX-Decoder:
(for hardware V.2)
Decoder for room lights with DCC to DMX Interface and flexible macro programming, similar to the room light control in the central station. Additional inputs for manual control and watchdog.
Watchdog Decoder:
(for hardware V.1)
This software implements a special decoder for surveillance of computer control of the model railway.

After power up the supply of the track is turned on. If a dedicated accessory commands is sent to this decoder, the power will remains active for another two seconds. If this command is repeated, the active time will be prolongated for another 2s. If the command is not sent for more then 2 s (i.e. because of a failure of the pc or the contral station), power is turned off and kept off.
Together with Railware or Traincontroller the correct operation of the pc and the central station can be controlled. Additionally a external trigger input can be used to connect a standalone emergency stop, which act redundant to the regulary computer control.
If a emergency stop is issued, the following things will happen:
Motor Decoder:
(for hardware V.1)
This is an example special decoder for a dedicated problem. A river boat has to be moved between to endpoints. The motor is driven by a high frequency PWM and smoothly accelerated. Light barriers and tracers are used for detecting the current position and manual control.
Motordecoder Programm V0.2