The DNDCC board firmware is a specialized LCOS client for listening to the DCC rail signal for turnout and other commands. It also supports an experimental general purpose serial gateway. As part of the LCOS firmware family, DNDCC firmware works just like all LCOS clients, with a few feature changes to accommodate the DCC subsystem.
Basic Configuration #
Prepare a new DNDCC board as you would any LCOS Client:
FIRST: Download and install the latest version of the LCOS Configuration Package. Run the LCOS Updater, then
- connect and check your MASTER, and apply any available updates;
- connect and check the DNDCC board and apply any available updates.
Next
- Power up the DNDCC board. Some older computers may not be able to provide adequate power through USB for this board. If you run into any problems power the board with a standard 12 volt source.
- Connect your computer to your MASTER and start the Configurator.
- Scan the Network. It should find the DNDCC on channel 75 at id 5.
- Select the DNDCC from the drop down node list and click Connect.
- After the DNDCC is loaded, click Network and set the permanent channel and id for this node.
- Click Save. The Configurator will automatically reload the MASTER while the DNDCC reboots. Scan Network again to find the node at its permanent address.
Setup Layout Turnouts and Routes #
Before configuring the DNDCC further, if you have not already done so, set up turnouts on one or more other Client nodes. Set up a few local routes as well. Then, connect to the MASTER, open the turnout tool and click Scan to collect a list of the turnouts and routes you’ve created.
Save the turnouts map.
Now reconnect to the DNDCC, open the turnout tool, and click Load from Master. Save the Map. You can also add turnouts manually, but the procedure you just did is by far the easiest. Order the turnouts to your liking. Turnout numbering is sequential, starting with turnout 0, in the order of the list.
Save the map to keep your changes.
Configuring the DCC Gateway #
Attach to the DNDCC board by USB and connect the Configurator using the Communications Manager. In the Main Window click Gateway to open the Gateway tool.
Set the Base DCC Address #
This will be the first address the system will respond to. It can be any address in the regular or extended DCC accessory address range. That address will be assigned to turnout 0. Additional DCC addresses are automatically mapped to the remaining turnouts in sequential order. In this example, the base address and address for the first turnout is 100, and the remaining 7 turnouts in the layout turnout list are automatically assigned addresses 101 through 107.
The system will automatically offer a base address for Global Routes that is immediately after the last turnout address. You can change this address if you wish. As with turnouts, Global routes will be mapped sequentially to DCC addresses starting with the base.
Don’t forget to click Save.
Serial Gateway #
The Serial gateway is experimental and is disabled by default. In the current firmware, this interface is not suitable for general use..
Click enable to turn it on. The LCOS Binary protocol is chosen by default; the LCOS String protocol is available for experimentation. LCOS Binary is the preferred protocol for operational use. The first 100 production DNDCC boards do not have a breakout terminals for RX and TX, which will be included in the next run. To access those pins you will need to solder wires to the RX and TX pin stubs on the bottom of the carrier board.
Setting Turnouts by Throttle #
Attach wires from your DCC rail bus to the blue terminals on your DNDCC board marked RAIL-A and RAIL-B. When the DCC bus is powered, an amber LED will light next to the RAIL-A terminal. On a typical DCC throttle, click SWITCH, type the address, then click “close” or “throw” [In LCOS, position MAIN == CLOSED and position DIVERGENT == THROWN]. If the turnout is not already in the correct position, movement will start immediately.
