Converter S88 to RJ45
Description (V1.2 and V1.3):
-
To avoid the potential transmission problems with S88,
a small PCB RJ45 for S88 was implemented. This can be plugged to the
GBM16XS of Blücher
and to the Intellibox.
(OpenDCC
can be equipped alternatively with the S88 pins or the RJ45 socket.
(OpenDCC can emulate both the Intellibox and the HSI88).
There are now a standardisation of this conversion: see s88-n.
Adapter (OpenDCC assignment (up to hardware V1.3)):
- The two plug-in system has the following pin assignment:
):

S88:
Pin | Name | Description |
1 | DATA | Read out data |
2 | GND | Ground for signals and power supply |
3 | CLOCK | CLOCK signal for synchronization |
4 | LOAD | LOAD request, stores data to shift register |
5 | RESET | RESET input memory |
6 | +5V | supply voltage for the feedback modules |
-
RJ45:
Pairs are on the Pins 1.2 - 3.6 - 4.5 - 7.8; i.e. a pair always consists of "color" and "white+color".
standard color coding (TIA568A):
1 - wh/gn = white-green
2 - gn = green
3 - wh/or = white-orange
4 - bl = blue
5 - wh/bl = white-blue
6 - or = orange
7 - wh/br = white-brown
8 - br = brown
Pin 1 on the connector is in the right corner (viewed from the front, contacts at upper side)
-
If the sensitive signals (CLOCK, LOAD, RESET) are each paired with ground,
the following, meaningful cable conversion (OpenDCC allocation) arises:

Pin S88 | Name | Description | Pin RJ45 | Color |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | DATA | Readout data | 8 | br |
2 | GND | Masse für Signale und Versorgungsspannung | 1 | wh/gn |
2 | GND | 3 | wh/or | |
2 | GND | 5 | wh/bl | |
3 | CLOCK | Clock signal | 2 | gn |
4 | LOAD | load request | 4 | bl |
5 | RESET | Reset Input memory | 6 | or |
6 | +5V | supply voltage for the feedback module | 7 | wh/br |
Note: There is now a standardization: S88-N. OpenDCC version V1.4 or higher uses the new standard.
Adaptor boards according to old and new standard can be used in combination, if care is taken that on one RJ45 cable both front and rear uses the same standard.
Layout:
Components:
- The following components can be used (partnumbers according reichelt.de):
- MEBP 8-8 (double socket for connecting two rj45 cables)
- MEBP 8-8S (pcb plug)
- BL 1X20W8 2,54 (S88 socket, which is 20 pins, you can split it in 3 parts with 6 pins)
- Cables: also available at Reichelt, search for RJ45
- MEB 8-8 (RJ45 socket with cables attached)
Pictures:

Adapter and cable

Mounted feedback modules (GBM16XS), plugged adapters.