We’re pleased to announce that a DCC Client Node — product id DNDCC — is in the works. We expect this LCOS Client Node variant will be available February 15, 2022.
The LCOS DCC Client node is a fully functional LCOS Client with a DCC rail connection instead of the usual connection to block detection equipment.
Why the trade off? The DCC interface requires significant CPU time, and interrupt-driven timing, to read the DCC message stream. Block occupancy detection is similarly CPU intensive, so it is the trade-off that produces the desired results.
Accordingly, in addition to being the DCC listener, a DNDCC client node will run all normal layout functions other than block occupancy detection.
What Does the DCC Client Node Do?
The Client is connected to your DCC Rail bus, and listens for turnout commands. When it receives a relevant message, the node preforms translations and forwards commands across the LCOS network. From the DCC point of view, the DNDCC node is an exotic — in terms of the number of objects and functions it supports — stationary decoder.
The system supports DCC access to both individual turnouts and global routes from your throttle. You should also be able to run turnouts and routes from within JRMI (via DCC rail messages), but the lack of a JRMI compatible feedback method will limit functionality to sending turnout commands to a typical stationary decoder.
As with the entire product line, future DNDCC firmware updates can expand the capabilities of the LCOS-DCC interface.