Enhance your Layout with Extended I/O Capacity
Lew’s Duino Gear duinoNodes are easy-to-use boards that extend input and output functionality of Arduino and compatible microprocessors (for example: ESP series WiFi microcontrollers) . Designed by and for model railroad hobbyists, our duinoNodes simplify the process of wiring and controlling inputs, such as buttons and switches, and outputs such as control panel indicators, relays, turnouts, layout lighting and lighting effects.
We have two types of duinoNodes, differentiated by the communications bus used to run the board.
I2C Series
This series employs the widely used I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) two wire bus for communication. The advantage is these devices can co-exist with other, unrelated devices on the bus. The main disadvantage is the limited address space of I2C, which limits the bus to 128 device addresses, and some devices will require multiple addresses.
- DN9685. The PWM duinoNode, provides 16 PWM ports for servos and LEDs. When you want to control a servo, and/or do more with layout lighting than just turning LEDs on or off — when you want to control brightness and run simulations — you need PWM ports. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) allows you to do all of those things by outputting current in modulated pulses.
The DN9685 duinoNode is a PWM I/O expansion device, for use with most microcontrollers (such as Arduino, ESP32, etc) and microcomputers (Raspberry Pi, etc.). Built on the PCA9685 LED controller chip, this board provides 16 12-bit PWM ports for micro servos and LED devices. The DN9685 is fully compatible with other PCA9685 devices, and with standard PCA9685 code libraries.
What sets this board apart from the competition is unique design features that address the needs of model railroading.
3 Wire Series
The 3 wire bus is a high speed, one way bus designed for switching or reading large numbers of digital ports. Having no bus contention mechanics, bus calls have virtually no overhead, resulting in high bus performance with minimal impact on overall MCU performance.
- DNIN8, the Digital Input duinoNode, provides 8 digital inputs for buttons, switches and digital sensors, on a small footprint board that simplifies and reduces wiring. Multiple DNIN8 boards can be chained together to manage up to 256 inputs. This hardware uses “bounce-free” methods of collecting input data, rejecting spurious signals and reducing the amount of code needed to effectively use these boards. This board is available in both assembled and kit form.
- DNOU8, the digital output duinoNode, extends Arduino functionality by providing 8 high current (up to 500 mA for all active outputs) digital output ports. Multiple DNOU8 boards can be chained together to manage up to 256 outputs. This board is available in both assembled and kit form.
A compact code library provides simple but effective tools for making the most of both boards.
But that’s not all
- Both boards require only 3 IO pins on a microprocessor to control the entire chain. So at the cost 6 IO pins, you can manage 256 inputs and 256 outputs!
- Both boards chain together serially with 3 wire cables; boards can be 18″ – 36″ apart without signal degradation.
- Small footprint, space saving design makes duinoNodes easy to use on any layout.
- DNOU8 and DNIN8 boards can be installed in a stack of up to 6 boards, providing up to 48 inputs/outputs and reduced wiring with a 75mm x 45mm footprint. Perfect for high density port needs, such as dense control panels or complex lighting on your layout.
- Since each board is separately powered, your current handling capacity is limited only by the capacity of your power supply.
Here are just a few of the layout use cases for LDG DNOU8 Output duinoNodes:
- Control relays and non-servo turnout motors (stall motor or coil type)
- Control Panel Indicators
- Create a Signal system
- Crossing Gates
- Reversing relays
- Layout lighting
- Motorized animations
Common Anode Power Handling
The DNOU8 uses the common anode configuration for device connections, where a single power source services all attached devices. All switching is on the “sink” or ground side of the devices.
This works well with most off-the-shelf model railroad layout accessories. NJ International, among others, wire their model railroad signals, crossings and other devices in common anode configuration. Those models are plug & play with this board. Any standard LED device, including everything in the Woodland Scenics’ Just Plug™ line of products, can be run with DNOU8 Output duinoNodes!
With DNOU8 Output duinoNodes, common anode wiring allows significantly greater power handling capability than would be possible otherwise. Each DNOU8 can handle up to 500 mA of continuous current, either spread across all 8 ports or concentrated at 1 or 2 ports. In contrast, the total power handing capacity of most Arduino boards is 200 mA amps, with no more than 20 mA at any one port.
Additionally:
- Each duinoNode has its own power feed (when stacked, all boards in the stack share a single power feed). On DNOU8, logic (always +5v) and device power are separate (but can be fed by the same power source); multiple power sources producing different voltages are supported, requiring only a common ground. Device voltage can be up to 30 volts DC, drawing up to 500 mA per board.
- duinoNodes can handle inductive loads such as from motors and relays.
Instructions
Click here for detailed use instructions.
WHERE TO BUY
The DNIN8 and DNOU8 are currently available in the Lew’s Duino Gear Store.