LCOS Manual

The Lew’s Duino Gear Layout Control System is a collection of intelligent, microcontroller-based hardware running the Layout Control Operating System (LCOS) firmware. LCOS includes the ability to configure components across the network using the Configurator app.

This Manual covers the methods and procedures for installing and configuring LCOS components on your layout. This manual assumes basic knowledge of model railroad wiring practices and common layout objects and features. This manual also assumes knowledge of prefatory material covered elsewhere. Before exploring this Manual, please be sure to read LCOS – The Layout Control Operating System and the LCOS Layout Planning Guide.

About the Configurator

The LCOS Configurator is a Windows JavaScript application that can communicate with and configure LCOS nodes on a model railroad layout. The application is available in 32 and 64 bit versions. The 64 bit version includes an embedded JavaScript engine, so it should work on any 64-bit version of Windows 7 or higher.

The 32-bit version of the app does not include the JavaScript engine. If you have a 32-bit version of Windows, you will need to have 32 bit java installed on your system. if you do not have 32-bit java, get it here: https://java.com/en/.

To get the Configurator, purchase a MASTER and one or more CLIENT nodes, or any Starter Kit. You will get a download link after you complete your purchase. Please be sure to create an account on this site for perpetual access to the Configurator app and future updates.

VERSION NOTE: This manual is current for version 1.0.4 or higher of the Configurator, and version 1.0.4 or higher of LCOS firmware. Some screen shots may be from the beta period and not show release version aesthetic elements. Features and interfaces described herein are subject to change without notice.

INDEX

• Quick Start Guide
• Getting Started with the Configurator
• About Objects and Events
• The Communications Manager
• The Main Window
• The Layout Control Node
• Initializing the MASTER and the Radio Network
• Initializing Clients
• Basic Hardware Setup
  • PCA9685 PWM
  • DNIN8 Digital Inputs
  • DNOU8 Digital Outputs
• Configuring Relays
• Block Occupancy Hardware
• Basic Layout Objects, Part 1
  • Blocks
• Basic Layout Objects, Part 2
  • Turnouts
• Basic Layout Objects, Part 3
  • The MASTER
• Controlling Your Layout
  • Control Panels
  • Control Objects
• Routes
• Scene Objects
• Signals
• Layout Time
  • Fast Clock Server
  • Layout Time Functions
• System Gateways
  • DNDCC Client
• Updates